Over the last few Halloweens, we’ve seen more and more of the 15-foot skeletons taking refuge in yards around our neighborhood. We were accustomed to the inflatables, but suddenly these monster skeletons started popping up one after another. There are two across the street from each other in some kind of weird face-off that neither will win. Their friend up the street has eyes that light up for that extra touch of Halloween creepy. Then there’s the one on the corner lot that seems to be keeping watch over the intersection.

But none of them hold a candle to the skeleton James saw on the way to lunch the other day—the skeleton with clothes on. Yes, someone decided to dress their 15-foot plastic skeleton.

Too much? Maybe?

Don’t get me wrong, I am all in for Halloween décor, even though we don’t put any out. During the pandemic, walking around the neighborhood and watching the various decorations go up (in the middle of September, by the way) was fun. Sure, we couldn’t interact with one another. However, seeing the season come to life with big inflatables, lights, and spiderwebs was uplifting.

But is there a limit? And is that limit fully dressed skeletons?

James quickly pointed out that the homeowner had to make the outfit. This wasn’t something you would find at the big and tall shop. The really big and tall shop, maybe. But can you get pants with a six-foot inseam? Do they make skinny jeans in that size?

Part of me wants to check Amazon to see if James is right—that the homeowner did have to make the outfit. Then there’s the part of me that is afraid if I do check Amazon, I’m going to find page after page of options for dressing your giant skeleton.

However, what has my brain really spinning is the motivation behind the decision to dress a skeleton. I understand having the skeletons. Fun. A little kitschy. I could even see throwing on a jaunty hat. But something is going on there, and I’m quite curious as to what.

Are they worried their skeleton will be embarrassed standing in the front yard naked? Are there some body-shaming issues we need to address? Perhaps they were just worried about him being cold. Or maybe it’s a more conservative household, and being naked in public is improper. I could certainly see that being a good Southern Baptist concern.

The other possibility is that someone inherited a lot of leftover fabric from a parent or grandparent that needed to be used. I’ll have to make a mental note about my mother-in-law’s quilting supplies. Hmmm…

My secret hope in all of this is that the skeleton has more than one outfit. If you’re going to the trouble of sewing pants with a size 80 waist, you might as well go all out and make more than one. And if you’re feeling particularly creative, give him some outfits for other holidays. I’m sure putting him up and taking him down is a bit of a chore. Wouldn’t it be easier to just decorate him for other holidays?

I’ve tried that approach with our Christmas tree and have been shot down. (Not putting pants on it—just seasonally decorating.) I don’t imagine James would ever let me do that with a giant skeleton. But wouldn’t that conversation be fun?