Costumes! Costumes! Costumes!

Santa Masks

Although we’ve focused on Santa costumes and Santa beards and wigs over the past few weeks, and will begin to discuss some of the Santa accessories etc. over the next few weeks; today we discuss Santa masks.

We never carried Santa masks when we had a brick and mortar business although the qualities of some of the masks were absolutely great.

As great as they were, they were expressionless, unless of course you consider one permanent expression as an expression.  Even the youngest of children will recognize that a mask is not a face, even though they may not even know what a mask is.

Little of Santa’s face is seen behind a wig and beard, but his eyes are fully visible (not partially blocked off by the latex mask).  The wrinkle in his brow, or the glimpse of his lips add to the ‘realism’.  Masks simply don’t convey the same message.

If you can’t fool the child one year, you may have lost him him/her for the next several.

Once I said, if you have limited funds, buy the best wig and beard you can afford, and the least expensive suit.  

Likewise, if you have limited funds, but the least expensive wig and beard; and don’t waste a dime no matter how good the Santa mask may seem.

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Thanksgiving.

A day of rest, relaxation and overindulgence, and the last day before our annual Christmas surge of Santa suit rentals and sales, and Santa wigs and beards sales and all the other Christmas costumes and accessories.

Thanksgiving.

The day before all the office, church, school, organization and association Christmas parties begin prepping for the first 2 or three weeks of December.

The Snowmen are clean, the Reindeer are groomed. The toy soldiers are lined up in a row. Elf suits galore, as are Santa Belles and Mrs. Santa’s. A nutcracker or two.

Not to forget the array of Christmas Carol characters, Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

We have white eyebrows and glasses and makeup for rosy red lips and cheeks for Santa; and gloves, and even padding, too. You forgot the Santa bells (not the Santa Belles) to ring out when Santa arrives? We have them as well.

But for tomorrow (or today if you read this on Thanksgiving) , A couple of we Pilgrims and a scattering of Native American friends will be breaking bread, followed by an afternoon of college and professional football. Hmmmm….I don’t remember football games in ‘21….1621, that is..

Caveat: We no longer have a brick and mortar business; but feel free to visit our advertisers on this page.

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More Copyright Stuff..

So now you’ve built a snowman costume, and have gone against my advice as having a look alike character, or giving it a name (like ‘Frosty’).

Your ego suggests that you lend it (or even rent it) to your neighbors or your local school or church; or possibly wear it in a parade.  After all, you are a good friend and citizen, and want to help.  But you also want a little recognition for your generosity.

Will you be found out, as to using a copyrighted character or copyrighted name?  And what are the ramifications if you are?

If your costume is used once a year in the privacy of your home; you likely won’t be found out. Once, however, you expand into other areas (see above), your chances of being outed are increased exponentially.  And the ‘outing’ might be something as simple as a photo that gets onto Facebook.

If the copyright owners find out, then you might be looking at something as simple as a ‘cease and desist’; or possibly something as serious as a lawsuit of which you will likely lose.

Again the caveat is to not build a copyrighted character; and to not use a copyrighted name. 

Be creative.  Make up your own character, and make up your own name.  You might even want to copyright it yourself.

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Copyrights and trademarks.   

A few days ago, we featured a video with a snowman and several other costumed characters.  In the future, we plan on a series of videos that will explain how to build this type of cartoon character for your own use. 

A caveat now, and a caveat for the future is to not duplicate an already existing costumes cartoon character.  If you’ve seen it on TV, in the comic strips, in the movies, it likely has been copyrighted and is illegal for anyone to duplicate without the express permission of the copyright holder.  And frankly, even if it’s for a worthy cause (as in raising money for a charity, for school, for anything) most copyright holders will not be cooperative in allowing you to use or duplicate their characters.

Altering your character a little (different nose, different hat, etc) does not necessarily mean you are not duplicating someone else’s character.  If it looks like ‘Frosty’, then it is ‘Frosty’.

And lastly, even if your character is substantially different, don’t name it the same as an existing famous character.  Don’t call your snowman, ‘Frosty’, for instance.

Be careful! Be creative!  

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A little levity for today:

Christmas characters bring Christmas cheer to Wendy’s

(note the Snowman leaning forward throughout most of this video.  This indicates a design flaw.)

Duration : 0:2:59

(more…)

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Q: “I am look for a size 20W Dress pattern for Mrs. Santa Clause.

Can anyone tell me where I can find 1 cheap/free? would be best and cheap will work too. Thanks 

A: Remember pattern size is not the same as ready to wear dress size, so choose a pattern by measurements. Cheap: most chain fabric stores like Joann and Hancock offer $1-2 specials on Simplicity, McCalls or Butterick at least a couple of times a month. You’re not likely to find anything labeled as “Mrs. Claus”, so take a look in the costume sections for patterns with the silhouette you want. FWIW, one year I made a friend an “emergency” Mrs. Claus costume of a red and green plaid flannel nightgown and a big white hoover apron over it, with red rickrack trim and holly appliqued on the pocket.

Some suggestions (and be sure to look at all the pattern views by clicking on the photo that comes up:)

Simplicity 3723

http://www.butterick.com/item/B5265.htm http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5155.htm http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4548.htm http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M2337.htm”

Indirectly contributed to this site by an unknown writer/author, and is not necessarily the opinion of the management or staff of this site.

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We nearly forgot..

We nearly forgot the elf costumes, or elves as they would be in plural.  Elf costumes would probably not be used at a home party because most home parties only feature Santa.  However if your local church, or union or office is sponsoring a Christmas party, it may come replete with a cast of characters such as Mrs. Santa, Santa Belles, a reindeer or two and a snowman.   Elves (sounds like Elvis, doesn’t it?) might be in abundance as well.

Of all the costumes, the Elf is the easiest and by far the most comfortable.  With a little imagination, you might be able to construct one at home; as all it requires is a pair of tights (well, you might not tights at home), a tunic, hat, cord, and something to cover the shoes.   

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Santa Belles, Miss Santas

They were called Santa Belles, and now sometimes called Miss Santa’s; but either way they were are the young ladies who assist Santa in handing out the Christmas gifts.  short, sexy, cute outfits that young girls wear as they are assisting Santa in handing out gifts.   

The key was that the Santa Belles wore dresses that were knee length, maybe an inch or so higher or an inch or so lower.  This was the optimum length so as to not offend anyone, long enough for modesty, and yet short enough so as to catch the eye of Dad. Or Grandad.  Or Great Granddad.

Always red in color, and made of various fabrics; but always trimmed in the same white plush that trimmed Santa’s outfit.  Around the neckline, and cuffs, and often times around the hem of the skirt. 

Our Santa Belle outfits had white boottops to match the trimming, and either white or red tights so as to not show any flesh, but still have appeal.

Perhaps a white plush fur beret, or maybe a white plush barrette, or maybe an entirely different kind of hat or cap topped off the outfit.

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Mrs. Santa

Does anyone ever give a second thought to Mrs. Santa?  After all, she and Santa have been married these many years, but no one knows her first name.  Edith, Margaret, Lucille?  Who knows.

Has anyone ever seen her?

As a matter of fact, I have.  She’s a bit younger than Santa and has a very pretty round face with glowing red cheeks and a huge smile.  

Unlike a few characterizations of her where she looks like Santa’s grandaughter, all dolled up with a short skirt; Mrs. Santa dresses appropriately for her age and standing.

She, like Santa, always wears red.  Mrs. Santa’s dress is floor length and has full length sleeves trimmed in white fur around the cuffs and collar.  She might wear sneakers for all I know, as her shoes are never seen.  

Her hair is white and upswept into a little knot at the top, sometimes with a little curl coming down over her left ear, not unlike a Colonial ladies hairstyle. But then again, she was around during that period of history too.

Here comes Mrs. Santa Claus.  Here comes Mrs. Santa Claus.  Right down Mrs. Santa Claus’s lane…..as goes the song.

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Q: “The largest Santa costume I have ever seen was sized XL. And even those XL’s are quite meagre sized, closer to a large than an extra large. Surely if Santa was a big fat man, they should make Santa costumes to fit big fat men. There’s nothing in this world that looks as stupid as a thin Santa.”

A. “There’s nothing in this world that looks as stupid as a thin Santa.That’s the fist time I have ever heard a skinny person discriminated against. Too funny!”

Editors note: In my past life, we had Santa costumes that fit men well over 500 lbs. and the costumes were listed as XXL or even XXXL. Presently, most suits are manufactured in Asia, and don’t seem to follow most sizing standards.  I would recommend checking with your nearest fulltime costume shop.  Here is a link that will assist you.  

http://www.costumers.org

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