The Covid-19 pandemic brought out the creative side in Aaron Valladares because he not only had time on his hands but also wanted to do something fun at home. Taking inspiration from social media he hopped on the Halloween bandwagon very easily. In fact, the creative interest, he says, may have come from his mother. “My mum dusted off her old 1940s sewing machine and made quilts, pot holders, aprons, and the works,” shares the Bandra resident. Now, he is in the process of making his second costume-prop in a row.  

For Mumbaikars, Diwali may be over but there's more to celebrate this weekend as Halloween approaches. While it may be a foreign tradition, many city dwellers have taken to it for many years. They not only celebrate at restaurants, which host parties for the day, but also host their own parties in the comfort of their homes with their family and friends. Since Halloween comes on a Monday this time, it is only obvious that parties will take place this weekend and Valladares is one such enthusiast who is busy making a fairy tale-inspired prop as we speak.  

Getting Halloween ready with costumes
He explains, “This year, I haven't been able to find the time to go all out on a costume. The other night, I came across the movie ‘Snow White and The Huntsman’ starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, and really liked the axe he wielded. So, I decided to make something simple - a woodsman's axe.” Valladares is busy working on coming up with some story to go along with the axe as his prop. "Maybe a haunted axe that traps my victims' spirits or just keep it simple, a woodcutter just out to have a good time," he chuckles.

Over the years, the 28-year-old senior consultant has seen quite a change in the kind of props people use at their parties or for their costumes. They have gone back to the originals by using staples such as pitch forks, spears, axes, cat ears and devil horns, along with costumes that are inspired by zombies, witches and clowns too.

So, last year, when Valladares was at his creative best and had more time on his hands, he decided to make cowboy’s costume. He explains, “Last year, I had an old brown vest I found in my cupboard and a black cowboy hat I bought in Goa. All I needed was a sheriff's badge with a checked shirt and jeans to get my outfit sorted.” The Mumbaikar made the badge out of cardboard that he found from an old package and referred to the internet for a couple of designs, and he was good to go.