Neil Patrick Harris and his family are our forever Halloween goals. This year, the holiday didn't feel the same due to the pandemic, but this family delivered, as expected.
Father of two and his hubby, David Burtka, always come up with original ideas. And they're not over the top like Heidi Klum's costumes. Nor are they controversial, like with many members of the Kardashian family.
Burtka and Harris keep things fun, and their twins seem to enjoy every minute of it. It's about creating traditions, and Bored Panda spoke about NPH and the importance for families to have traditions with Lenore Skenazy, who is the president of Let Grow, a nonprofit organization promoting childhood independence and resilience.
Family values and keeping up with the traditions
Lenore says that dressing up for Halloween can be something that only kids do or a whole family affair. "Either way, what a great tradition!"
And over the years, the Burtka-Harris family made us laugh with their Halloween costume choices. Well, to be fair, at some points we were also jealous because this is one very creative family.
Before we go onto Halloween adventures with this family, let's hear more from Lenore Skenazy.
She stated that making a tradition is not easy. You can't just do it once:
After a couple of times, it becomes a 'thing'—like leaving stuffed grape leaves for Santa instead of cookies: something that is the way your particular (even peculiar) family celebrates. Kids will remember this pretty much forever, and may even pass it along to the next generation.
She isn't too happy about her childhood Halloween memories, because, as she explained:
Personally, I went as the same thing every year: the Wicked Witch—make of that what you will. My parents stayed home dressed like parents because that's how Halloween rolled back then. But I've been duly impressed by whole families that come up with a theme, including my neighbors. They made gigantic eyebrows and went as the family from Schitt's Creek. Maybe they'll do it again this year.
Skenazy concluded her story about family traditions:
You're connecting to that beloved time, place, or thing, but you're also connecting to your family because you're all in it together. Kids will love this… until at some point they don't. (Not a lot of tweens want to dress up as fish, even though you all loved your lake vacation in 2012.) Doesn't matter. Take pictures now and in the future, they'll look back at and cringe, perhaps, but also maybe cry. As Carly Simon sang, 'These are the good old days.' Relish them.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka nail the 2011's theme Peter Pan
Back when the twins were babies, the adorable family went on their Halloween trick or treat as Peter Pan and his crew. The results were too cute for words!
The Wizard Of Oz in 2012 presents the cutest Dorothy ever
As Skenazy said, parents and kids pick something that they all love (a movie, a vacation they had, a pet) and build their Halloween costumes around that particular theme.
And for the Harris family, Wizard of Oz was a perfect choice. Just look at Dorothy's smile!
2013 brought us Alice In Wonderland
The twins, Gideon and Harper, always take the center stage in the family Halloween outings.
It's clear that famous parents adore their kids, and their faces say it all!
Very Scary: Frankenstein's Monster, Wolfman, The Bride of Frankenstein, and Dracula in 2013
As the kids are getting older, the traditions are getting a bit scarier. And this whole setting is costume goals!
Batman, Batgirl, and their crew: Gotham City, 2014
The adults took things to the next level. Yet, the twins are, once again, the real stars. Let your kids shine, but show them that you're willing to put in the effort. And that includes hours of applying makeup.
Star Wars coming to you in 2015
If you're still not impressed, then there's something you're missing.
This family is anything if not committed to giving 100 percent because it's part of what makes them stronger. It's their tradition.
Old Hollywood Glamour in 2016
Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean were back on one Halloween night. Back in 2016, the amazing family went to keep the magic of Old Hollywood alive, and we are head over heels over baby James Dean!
Harris Halloween Carnival of Curiosities in 2017
NPH and his family welcomed a different kind of Halloween in 2017.
Lenore said that once kids start entering their teenage years, keeping traditions like this up might be a tad more challenging. But, Harris and Burtka don't seem to have that issue since they are always finding new ways to challenge their Halloweens.
I ain't afraid of no ghosts in 2018
The good-looking family turned into creepy hitchhiking ghosts in 2018. And though they're supposed to be scary, they seem perfectly friendly to us.
The great photo session of 2019
What do we have here? The family decided to shake things up, so they made Burtka-Harris Boo-seum' last year, in 2019. Told you, they are always full of ideas!
Stay safe with Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: NPH and family in 2020
Neil Patrick Harris greeted his followers with a caption:
Oompa, loompa, doompety doo! We've got a family photo for you!
Challenging the 1971 musical, the family reminded everyone about the global pandemic and advised them to stay safe.
This year, may you invent an October 31st that is spirited, safe, and scrumptious.
As NPH added:
The invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple.
Happy Halloween from the Burtka-Harris Crew!
