Dolloween 2017

Since October 2015, every year Nessa and I had a scheme to create what we called a "Dolloween", or a doll Halloween celebration, but something always held us back. In 2015, we weren't sure what Halloween was, so what was the use of participating. And in 2016, the humans stayed home to hand out candy, and they were frequently coming and going from the house, leaving us with not much time to function. But this year was different. This year, Nessa and I planned ahead and recruited the help of Idina to create a Dolloween costume party for everyone. So, in the style of my fiftieth celebration post, I will be showing you pictures of each of the dolls and including some dialogue, this time for Halloween.

***

Magneto was the only doll who refused to dress up, so he picked a dark pair of sunglasses that were just his size to become a "Cool Guy". 

Although it did make his snarl look more like a smile, we weren't sure if the glasses made him any cooler. We played along anyway. 

Dorothy, of course, had to be a baker. The outfit came with a tiny chef's hat and a spoon from the kitchen, and she kept her basket stocked with candy to share.

A red rubber nose and a frilly pink necktie was all that was needed to make Olaf a clown. He told jokes the whole night, each one more (less) funny than the last.

For Nessa's costume, she used a couple of props borrowed from Bell and a new hat, which Magneto had a good time making fun of.
"Who are you supposed to be, Nicolas Cage?" He waved his hands around, his tone changing from mocking to an impression of the actor. "Ooh, I'm Nicolas Cage, and I'm going to steal the declaration of independence."
"You wouldn't dare!" Napoleon said, holding out his American flag like a sword.
Nessa frowned and straightened her hat. "Nicolas Cage doesn't wear cowboy hats. I'm a pirate."
"Pirates don't wear cowboy hats, either."
"This is the best I could do. I'm a new-age pirate, how's that?"
"I'll settle for that." Magneto agreed.

Per Nessa's request, Loki was an ice harvester, complete with a sled and scarf to match his dark green cape. I created him a little snowball with my magic, and his costume was done.

Bell was not the only one making jokes this year. For Dolloween, she wanted to be Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. Her glittery yellow pom-pom shoes added her own personal twist to the look. I can imagine many other little ones were Belle this year because of the new live action Beauty and the Beast film.

We're starting to think that Sven is smarter than he looks, because when we were talking about what costumes we would wear for Dolloween, he kept nudging us with his nose and whimpering like a dog. That inspired me, and we were able to dress Sven up as dog, using a thick red hair tie from She and one of the real dog's bone toys. Here Sven is displaying his "puppy dog eyes".

Idina, like Bell, went for another Disney character for Dolloween. She made a great Blue Fairy from Pinocchio.

The most creative costume award, if we were doing awards this year, would have to go to Napoleon. He was a dolphin trainer, made complete with a bucket of faux fish and a cardboard dolphin prop. His height makes it easier for you to see the skeleton Mickey shirt we used for a backdrop.

Elphaba took a pointer from the book Wicked, and became the character that inspired her name. With her matching blue witch hat and a broom raised triumphantly in the air, it looked like she was ready to "Defy Gravity".
"Alright, now I can believe Elphaba's a witch... but Nessa as Nicolas Cage?" Magneto questioned.
"For the last time, I am not Nicolas Cage!" Nessa cried, outraged.
Elphaba smirked, but knew better than to say anything.

The non-existent "most unusual" award would have gone to Benny for dressing up as Waldo from Where's Waldo. Apparently there is some history to this. For those who are British, his name is Wally, and he ended up getting his own television show inspired by the search-and-find books. But for Americans, we know him as Waldo. Either way, he's famous for wearing a red-and-white striped shirt and hiding in the most frustrating of places.

Moana was the most proud of her original costume. She decided to go as a koa, or Hawaiian warrior, for Halloween. With Bell's help, she fashioned herself a doll-sized spear out of paper, tape, twine, and beads. She wore the feathers-and-shells arm bands from her celebration outfit, and put her hair into a half-bun with a brown scrunchie. Of course, she couldn't forget her favorite necklace and animal friends.

Steve was a little snapped on creativity for what to do.
"I'm already a superhero. That's a costume in and of itself."
"And a popular one at that," Loki piped up. "Everybody wants to be Captain America."
"You can still be a hero. We just need to change things up a bit," said Anna. "Anyone know where She keeps the computer paper?"
Taking some tips from Bell and Moana, we were able to create a similarly made weapon for Steve, this time using one other ingredient: dental floss. It made a worthy string for his bow. We paired it with a brown bag filled with Q-tips to be arrows, and Steve was made into an archer.
"Am I Hawkeye?" He asked.
"Sure, just lose all your powers and make a couple of bad jokes." Said Loki.
"I don't get it." Said Olaf.
"Moving on!" I decided. "Where's Anelle and Kristoff?"
"Zey are not ready yet," Idina sighed. "I don't think zey like zheir costumes very much."

"Fine, Anna and I will go next," I pulled on her arm and handed Steve She's camera for a picture. "Come on, Elsa." I was referencing our costumes, which just involved a quick switch of clothing. I donned Anna's skirt, bodice, blouse, and boots, and she took my ice gown, cape, and Norwegian slippers.

"Does that make you Anna?" Anna asked.

"For tonight, yes." 

"And does that mean I get your powers?"

"Do you want to build a snowman?" I laughed.

Steve snapped the picture right when the She's bedroom room creaked open. We almost ran for the hills, but it was just Anelle and Kristoff that came through... dressed in attire set for a wedding.

Nessa's jaw dropped. "You guys are getting married? Right now?"

Kristoff covered his face with the hand not holding onto Anelle. "No, we're not getting married at all. This was Idina's idea."

"You remember, Elsa. You were there, right?" Said Anelle, looking less unhappy than Kristoff.

I recalled what had happened only a week or two ago. We had brought up the idea of a Dolloween costume party, and Idina loved that. Idina had ventured into the basement for the first time, but I guess she had forgotten to be afraid because of her love of fashion, and all the doll clothes and usable fabrics were down there. Idina had taken Anelle, Kristoff, and I into the basement with her so she didn't have to be alone. This gave her an idea.

"We need to do costumes dis year. We never do anything for Hallaween."

"Okay, what do you suggest?" I had wondered.

"Ev'ryone can reuse things that we find down here. But..." she had glanced sideways over at Kristoff and Anelle. "Some things I can help with."

Anelle and Kristoff exchanged looks and shrugged. They weren't sure where Idina was going with this either.

Idina began sashaying around, selecting different kinds of ribbons from a sewing bag. "Hallaween is my faf'rite time of the year."

"Really?" I hadn't expected that from Idina.

"Not for de spooks. For de costumes," she went back to her work, grabbing a small pair of sewing scissors and snipping away at the ribbon. "And dis year ever'one is going to be someone. Yes?"

None of us were brave enough to answer. I think we were all afraid of what would happen if we did.

"Anelle. Kristoff. Dis is your first Hallaween, yes?"

"Um, yes." Anelle stuttered.

"Then you must be the stars of the show. You will be bride and groom as ze costumes."

Kristoff pulled down on his eyelids. It had become very silent.

"You are close, yes?"

"Um, no thanks, we're really not..." Anelle tried to say.

"Yeah, we're just friends." Kristoff finished her statement without any trouble at all.

"Hallaween is supposed to be scary," Idina said, already taking their measurements. "You will be scared to marry each-other, yes?"

Two slow nods.

"Then it works. We haf a tuxedo already for you, Kristoff, and some shoes as well. Just hope zey will fit. And for you, Anelle, I'll take care of the gown."

Anelle's mouth opened and closed in protest, but the words never came out.

"We haf orange and black ribbon, and one with little spiders all over. Maybe I will make Hallaween outfits, or maybe not. We'll see," Idina beamed. "Oh, it will be magnificent!"

Magnificent, however, was not the word that the couple had thought of. Nightmare was more like it, or embarrassing, or horrible, or...

"Terrifying." Anelle gulped.

Kristoff finished with, "I get to marry my fake sister. Weird."

But there was no arguing with Idina. We didn't have a clue on how long she had been planning this, possibly since Anelle and Kristoff were first found, but it was hard to tell. Idina is not very open with her secrets, or with any words at all. But she was open with her talent. And when Kristoff and Anelle were finally ready to fight embarrassment and show off their Dollaween costumes, that much was obvious.

Idina had reused a doll-sized tuxedo top from the treasure trove of clothes in the basement for Kristoff. It was a shiny black satin blazer with white polka dots all over, and a hot pink undershirt beneath that. Anelle's gown was a pleated, snowy white at the top and a classic long skirt at the end, with a matching hot pink ribbon to accessorize. A classic tulle with white beads was used both as a veil and a mermaid tail finish to the gown.
"You made that?" Olaf whispered. "You're good. I always knew you were, though."
Idina blushed happily. "I am quite proud of it, as much as zey liked to protest."
"Gosh, I love weddings," Anna said wistfully. "Idina, can you make a wedding gown for me, next?"
"You're not getting married." I reminded her.
"One day I will. And when that day comes, I'll be asking for Idina to make my dress."
Nessa pointed a finger back and forth at each of them. "So... you're not getting married. Is that right?"
"No, we're not getting married. But you do look pretty handsome in that tuxedo, Kristoff..." Said Anelle, her voice trailing off into giggles.
"Yeah, you too," Kristoff shook his head frantically. "No! Not handsome. Pretty. I meant pretty. You look... pretty pretty, too. Ugh, what am I saying?!"
I crossed my arms and looked smugly down at Idina. She's got her secrets, sure, but I think we were starting to share one. For Anelle and Kristoff, there may be something there that wasn't there before. And that was the scariest thing of all for this Halloween.

Happy Dolloween,

Queen Elsa