Punishing those with no costumes

1792 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by savagehaunter, Sep 4, 2009

4evercold

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2009

My first Halloween party will be a Halloween themed wedding, and I'd like everyone to abide by my mandatory costumes rule. Knowing this may not be a given, I'd love to punish offenders. I'm wondering if others have punished people for breaking the same rule, and what was done?

At family gatherings and events, my family always attacks a sullen looking person who won't get into the spirit of things with that song - "Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you . . . " As the object of that song plenty of times, it's stuck with me. Based on that, I was thinking of taking aside any unadorned person and dressing them with a garbage bag and brown face paint, and giving them a name tag that says something like "This pooper has been scooped." What do y'all think? Any other ideas?

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Toetag

· #2 · Sep 4, 2009

I think thats a horrible idea. There has been so many horrible things happen to people that get put on the spot. Remember that talk show where that guy thought his lover was some hot chick and turned out to be some gay guy and well the story ending horrible. Its not worth hurting someones feelings to begin with and some people take it different then others so....

Bad idea

4evercold

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 4, 2009

Well, the whole point is to put them on the spot, so I think what you said pretty much means I've got a good idea. I'm sorry it wouldn't work for one of your parties. My family and friends are a different sort from yours, I guess, and nothing wrong with that. My main concern with my idea is that it won't be punishment enough, and I was looking to see if I could garner any ideas on how to make it worse/funnier/etc. Don't worry, there will be no "outing" of other gendered individuals, so I should be safe from talk show drama.

Toetag

· #4 · Sep 4, 2009

Naw my family and friends would be cool with it too but some people....well you just dont know.

Make them carry around a pooper scooper all night or every time certain word is said they have to yell "POOPER!"

kym

· #5 · Sep 4, 2009

4evercold said:
My first Halloween party will be a Halloween themed wedding, and I'd like everyone to abide by my mandatory costumes rule. Knowing this may not be a given, I'd love to punish offenders. I'm wondering if others have punished people for breaking the same rule, and what was done?

At family gatherings and events, my family always attacks a sullen looking person who won't get into the spirit of things with that song - "Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you . . . " As the object of that song plenty of times, it's stuck with me. Based on that, I was thinking of taking aside any unadorned person and dressing them with a garbage bag and brown face paint, and giving them a name tag that says something like "This pooper has been scooped." What do y'all think? Any other ideas?

First off, Im so jealous about the halloween wedding..I have always wanted to attend one (and maybe even someday have one-anyone here single

?).

ugh, off track , anyways..nothing makes me madder then when people do not participate in a theme. Since this is a wedding though, eh, idk..maybe something a little more forgiving...yes forgiving I guess is the word. this might be a great way though to use these unspirited guests as extra decor though..is it possible to just make or have someone crafty make cheap robes that would match the rest of the room? The first image that came to my mind for some reason is a robe with a nicely made hang mans noose or something.

Either way, let us know what you come up with and make sure you share the pics!

4evercold

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 4, 2009

I actually have to avoid everything to do with hanging and nooses, since there was a recent hanging in the family. Otherwise, I would have loved to have been able to drape a noose around their necks and be off to other things. I've read about others who give their guests terrible makeup and tacky wigs. I never even thought to make them yell something if a certain word is said. Thank goodness I have a whole year to mull this stuff over!

Cheebs

· #7 · Sep 4, 2009

My bf and I typically buy cheap costumes at Five Below and for anyone without a costume, they have to put one of them on. Last year we bought a baby costume (which huge adult diaper and pacifier included) and a bunny costume (ears and a tail). One of our friends came without a costume and so we made him choose. Of course he didn't leave it on for very long but now everyone saw that we are serious about people being in costume.

Spats

· #8 · Sep 4, 2009

If you have a whole year, you have plenty of time to 1.) make certain everyone invited knows the expected dress decorum and has plenty of time to prepare, and 2.) assign ushers that will not allow the uncostumed entry to the ceremony.

I look at it this way - if someone shows up without a costume, they don't respect what you're doing nor all the hard work that went into it.

However, relishing the idea of punishing people? I can't empathize with that. That would more than likely have a negative effect on the punished. I would hate to contribute to someone's dislike of Halloween.

Frankie's Girl

· #9 · Sep 4, 2009

Spats said:
However, relishing the idea of punishing people? I can't empathize with that. That would more than likely have a negative effect on the punished. I would hate to contribute to someone's dislike of Halloween.

I totally agree.

If you aren't sure that some of the possible guest would comply with the costume code, why invite them?

I have never understood the anger and need to ridicule an invited guest (or even a TOT) that has no costume. Why not be happy if they came to share the fun - why twist it into something cruel and hateful? It sounds like a bullying technique and I fail to see the point unless you enjoy embarrassing your friends and relatives.

Providing a silly costume or accessories is cool, but "punishing" them? Not cool.

walkingcorpse

· #10 · Sep 4, 2009

I'm big on the "dressing up those who don't costume themselves" plan. Since its a wedding you might want to stick with lone ranger or feather masks. Normally, I would go with cheesy costumes made of random pieces and bits for the unprepared party goers. If you were sure there were going to be a few in plain clothes I'd turn it into a party game and give out a prize for the best costumER.

HeatherEve1234

· #11 · Sep 4, 2009

I get really upset when we get trick or treaters or guests without costume - I think it's rude to take advantage of the host or homeowner and not at least come up with a costume - doesn't have to be elaborate.

I've tossed around these ideas a lot, and to avoid trouble in the moment I haven't really done much, but the next year those people just aren't invited. That gets the message across.

That all said, do you really want a lot of "poopers" in your wedding photos?

You could meet in the middle by providing a box of on the spot costumes - ears & tails, witches hats, maybe tiaras & blank sashes they or you could write on, or just buy a bulk box of hats/masks from a party store like
Mega Mask Assortment

Alternatively, if you are having a DJ, he/she could call all the uncostumed guests up and you could play the old shower game "toilet paper brides" - sort of turning that tradition, since it will more likely be men who show up without costumes.

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Noelle

· #12 · Sep 4, 2009

I think it's lame that people who are invited to a COSTUME party would come without a costume.. really..

It doesn't sound like you're too concerned about offending anyone, but something simple would be to say, "No costume? I guess I'll have to put you on the spot then!" Lead them over to a giant circle "spot" on the ground and have them stand there for a determined amount of time.

Then dress them as a poop!

litemareb4xmas

· #13 · Sep 4, 2009

I think it's a great idea, and I will be using it, cause I can say with certainty I'll have some bikers show who won't wear a costume, and we are a rowdy group who will have a good time heckling them.
I'm going to a lot of trouble and money to throw this shindig, they can wear the poopsack!

kym

· #14 · Sep 4, 2009

4evercold said:
I actually have to avoid everything to do with hanging and nooses, since there was a recent hanging in the family. Otherwise, I would have loved to have been able to drape a noose around their necks and be off to other things. I've read about others who give their guests terrible makeup and tacky wigs. I never even thought to make them yell something if a certain word is said. Thank goodness I have a whole year to mull this stuff over!

you know, I wish there was a job where you just get paid to say the wrong thing at the wrong time because I really would be super at it.

how horrible.im so sorry. I dont even know why that popped up in my head but it did for some reason..maybe it's because I have been watching hocus pocus every night with my great niece

Junit

· #15 · Sep 4, 2009

I don't necessarily punish people who don't dress up, but I do pull them aside and force them into a costume of my choosing. One time it was a brown paper bag that had been cut into the cliche indian headband and vest.

Witch Hazel

· #16 · Sep 4, 2009

On your invite, you should make it clear to come in costume & also make clear the fact that you have embarrassing costumes people who show up without one will HAVE to wear. Once they know the consequences, they will either pick up a costume on their own or not show up. Either way, you fixed the problem.

savagehaunter

· #17 · Sep 4, 2009

I like the pooper/ garbagte bag idea. I think it is ok if you know all those at the party can take it.

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