WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, on Monday were hosting the children of local firefighters, nurses, police officers and National Guard members for trick-or-treating at the White House on Halloween. But it was shaping up to be a soggy affair.
Rain fell Monday morning in Washington and showers were forecast for throughout the day.
It will be the Bidens’ first time welcoming trick-or-treaters as president and first lady. They were in Europe for Halloween last year, their first in the White House. They had the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the executive mansion lit up in orange for the spooky holiday.
Some 5,000 guests — children and their adult chaperones — were expected to stream through the gates to the south side of the White House, where Biden and his wife will hand out treats as part of this year’s “Trick-or-Treating in the President and First Lady’s Neighborhood.”
They were invited through local community groups, relevant organizations and labor unions, the White House said.
Details on what the president and first lady will hand out to trick-or-treaters has not been released. In past years, they received little boxes of presidential M&Ms and-or a White House-baked cookie. Michelle Obama added dried fruit in her quest to help children eat more good-for-you foods.
Several Cabinet departments and agencies will also participate, including the Education and Transportation departments, along with NASA, the U.S. Secret Service, the Peace Corps, the White House Fire Brigade and the White House Military Office.
Halloween has been celebrated at the White House since the mid-20th century, according to the White House Historical Association, a private, nonprofit organization.
Mamie Eisenhower decorated the White House for Halloween for the first time in 1958. Photographs of costumed children in the Oval Office — President John F. Kennedy’s kids Caroline and John Jr. — emerged during that administration.
Since then, first families have celebrated Halloween by hosting trick-or-treaters or throwing parties for friends and White House staff. Larger events have been held on the grounds, especially by families with younger children, such as Amy Carter, Chelsea Clinton and Malia and Sasha Obama.
President Richard Nixon went big for Halloween, hosting a series of public events for local children. In 1969, the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance was turned into the mouth of a 17-foot (5.2 meters) tall pumpkin. Visitors walked past two witches stirring cauldrons after they entered.
President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, were greeted by a pumpkin on a table that was carved with the slogan, “Stay the Course.” The midterm elections were the next day, Nov. 2.
President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, held annual combination costume and birthday parties for friends and staff because the first lady’s birthday fell on Oct. 26. In 1993, they showed up dressed as President James Madison and first lady Dolley Madison.
Imposta Smart Ass
An
assface mask is definitely weird — no if, ands, or buts (well, a butt).
Hand Sanitizer Wall Dispenser
Dressing up as hand sanitizer is so 2020, but dressing up as
sexy hand sanitizer — that’s 2022 (although some might think the sentiment is 2012).
Birth Control Contraceptive Pack
Considering the ongoing battle over reproductive rights, this
birth control costume is not just weird, it’s weirdly political.
Empty Roll Of Toilet Paper
This
empty toilet paper roll costume might strike some people as crappy, but others might find it a window into one’s darkest fears (yes, running out of TP brings that out in people).
Birthday Suit
If the idea of spending money on an outfit you might only wear once a year seems extravagant, this
birthday suit costume may be for you — because theoretically, you can wear it twice, unless your birthday happens to be Oct. 31.
Dating App
Finding love at a Halloween party could hinge on the costume you wear. This
dating app costume will show you’re not bumbling around.
Turtle Mascot
This
turtle costume is perfect for the person not ready to come out of their shell.
Slither Snake Wrap-Around Prop
Inflatable Violet Beauregarde
Trust me: Everyone will want to take a photo with
“Violet Beauregarde.” You should also trust me when I say they will have a hard time fitting in the camera frame with the person wearing it.
’80s Video Super Star
Although MC Hammer’s pants get a bad rap, the baggy nature of this
rapper costume probably gives you room to hide stuff if you’re trying to sneak in contraband into the Halloween party.
Energetic Bunny
If you wear a
Energetic Bunny costume for Halloween, be prepared for a battery of questions along the lines of “can you keep going? And going? And going?”
Hamburger Thief
Sure, it can be fun looking like the
Hamburglar at a party, but be careful you don’t try to steal the heart of someone dressed as a
plant-based burger — it could lead to disappointment.
Cereal Captain
Dressing up as
Captain Crunch sounds like a sweet gig — as long as you avoid anyone dressed as a cereal killer.
Mothman
The Mothman doesn’t get the same amount of publicity as other cryptozoological phenoms like Bigfoot or the chupacabra. But what it lacks in fame, it more makes up for in creepiness. You’re probably better wearing this to scare people. If you go to a party, you’ll no doubt have to break character to explain the costume — yeesh.
Miss Cookie
Warning: The person who wears a
sexy cookie costume has to be willing to accept a certain amount of cheesy double entendres. I’d offer suggestions, but I already have an HR meeting pending.
Honey Beekeeper
Whenever we fear that every possible character or occupation has already been turned into an inexplicably sexy Halloween costume, someone comes through in the clinch with something new — like this
beekeeper outfit.
Unicorn Lizard
Sadly, lizards have been ignored at Halloween for far too long. That tragedy has been rectified with this
unicorn costume for your reptilian pet. And the world breathes a little easier.
Kissing Booth Headpiece For Dogs & Cats
Beer Run Dog & Cat
There’s probably no bigger hero at the Halloween party than the person who goes out to get more beer.
This Beer Run Dog & Cat Costume will remind the other guests that what must be done must be done.
Mega Dinosaur T-Rex Mask
OK, if you love dinosaurs, this
T-Rex mask with a moveable jaw is a perfect costume. If you love eating or drinking with a mask on, you may have some challenges.
Surgery Honey
As tempting as it might be to tell the person wearing an
“Operation” costume that you want to play doctor, it’s best to see if they have a funny bone first.
Pencil
Although this costume is supposed to be
a No. 2 pencil, bookworms and nerds will think you’re No. 1.
UFO
This
UFO costume might seem a little bulky at first, but if you’re hammered at Halloween, this will at least help keep you from bumping into the furniture.
Evil Fast Food Girl
This
Evil Fast Food Girl costume can do double duty. Wear it for Halloween and then to the next animal-rights rally! Now that’s value!
Inflatable Rocket Ship
Wearing a
spaceship costume is a blast. As a plus, its bulky nature is great for people still concerned about the pandemic because it forces other people to social distance. Yay, public health!
Headless Scientist
This is indeed
a scary costume. But, even scarier will be the creeps who sidle up to you with vicious anti-science comments.
Light And Sound Traffic Light
Loch Ness Monster
There is only one downside to dressing up like the
Loch Ness Monster: Dealing with people who will make the same corny joke. “Well, you’ve made a fine Ness of things, haven’t you?” To be honest, just one person making that joke could ruin the holiday.
Macho Man
Your child has only one first Halloween (which they won’t remember). You have one chance to make the great photo op. Why ruin things by putting them in a boring pumpkin costume when they can go as
wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage? Why indeed.
Spray Can Cheese
HalloweenCostumes.com
