The Magic 8 Ball Halloween costume is a creative and fun idea for those looking to have a unique and interactive costume. The Magic 8 Ball is a popular toy that provides answers to yes or no questions, and this costume allows the wearer to embody that playful spirit. To create a Magic 8 Ball costume, you will need a few key materials. Start by finding a large, round black or dark-colored fabric such as felt or foam. This will be the base of your costume and should resemble the shape of a Magic 8 Ball. Next, cut out a round opening in the front of the fabric for your face to fit through.
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If the ears are down and pointed back, the mouse is showing a defensive posture, especially if this is accompanied by stiff body language, the mouse is saying Back off. Constant access to fresh water is essential but be aware that mice can build nests against the cage sides and push bedding into water bottle nozzles.
Next, cut out a round opening in the front of the fabric for your face to fit through. Make sure it's large enough for you to see out of, but not too big that it ruins the overall shape. You may also want to add some black mesh or thin fabric over the opening to hide your face slightly and create a more mysterious look.
Disease in the Middle Ages
Especially when that head is teeming with head lice, as Adam of Usk reported when he attended King Henry IV’s coronation on 13th October 1399!
King Henry’s affliction was commonplace in medieval times, and lice were certainly no respecter of social status.
Filth was a fact of life for all classes in the Middle Ages. Towns and cities were filthy, the streets open sewers; there was no running water and knowledge of hygiene was non-existent. Dung, garbage and animal carcasses were thrown into rivers and ditches, poisoning the water and the neighbouring areas. Fleas, rats and mice flourished in these conditions. Indeed this was the perfect environment for the spread of infectious disease and plague: the Black Death was to kill over half of England’s population between 1348 and 1350.
As there was no knowledge of germs or how diseases spread in the Middle Ages, the Church explained away illness as ‘divine retribution’ for leading a sinful life.
Common diseases in the Middle Ages included dysentery (‘the flux’), tuberculosis, arthritis and ‘sweating sickness’ (probably influenza). Infant mortality was high and childbirth was risky for both mother and child.
Rushes and grasses used as floor coverings presented a very real hygiene problem. Whilst the top layer might be replaced, the base level was often left to fester. As Erasmus noted:
“The floors are, in general, laid with white clay, and are covered with rushes, occasionally renewed, but so imperfectly that the bottom layer is left undisturbed, sometimes for twenty years, harbouring expectoration, vomiting, the leakage of dogs and men, ale droppings, scraps of fish, and other abominations not fit to be mentioned.”
A lack of hygiene amongst medieval people led to horrific skin complaints. Poor people washed in cold water, without soap, so this did little to prevent infection. The more disfiguring skin diseases were generally classed as leprosy and indeed leprosy, caused by the bacterium mycobacterium leprae, can arise from dirty conditions. It attacks and destroys the extremities of the body, particularly the toes and fingers, and sometimes the nose.
(Pictured right: Richard of Wallingford, Abbot of St Albans; his face is disfigured by leprosy.)
Leprosy was not the only disease that could affect someone in this way: the affliction known as St Anthony’s Fire could also lead to gangrene and convulsions. This condition was caused by a fungus, ergot, that grows on rye. When the grain was ground to make bread, people who ate the bread became poisoned.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis were common among all social classes. Symptoms included unsightly skin rashes, recurring bouts of fever, blindness, mental illness and ultimately, death.
Whilst the poor had to make do with traditional herbal remedies and superstition to cure their ailments, the rich could afford to pay physicians.
Employing a physician did not however ensure that the patient would recover. The success of any treatment was largely down to luck; indeed, many of the ’cures’ appear quite bizarre to us today.
It was quite widely believed that the body had four ‘humours’ and if these became unbalanced, you became ill. A patient’s urine was used to determine whether there was indeed an unbalance. Bleeding (with or without leeches), sweating and induced vomiting were the remedies of choice to re-balance the humours.
Even the princely sport of jousting was not without its dangers – and not just broken limbs. For example, King Henry IV is believed to have suffered from seizures, perhaps as a consequence of repeated blows to the head received whilst jousting in his youth.
Crusading could also be bad for your health: wounds, infections, disease and broken bones were just some of the hazards to be faced in the Holy Land.
Should an unfortunate patient require an operation or amputation, this would be carried out by a ‘surgeon’, often a butcher or barber by trade, and would be performed without anesthetic. As the instruments were not sterilized, post-operative infections were often fatal.
A reminder of the horrors of medieval surgery survives to this day: the red and white barber’s pole traditionally found outside a barber’s shop dates back to the Middle Ages. Its red stripe represents the blood spilled and the white stripe, the bandages used during an operation.
*At this point in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV, unwell, facing rebellion and with all the responsibilities of kingship, is feeling the insecurities of his crown.
After creating the base of the costume, it's time to decorate it to resemble a Magic 8 Ball. Use white fabric paint or white adhesive vinyl to create the iconic Magic 8 Ball design. This includes a white circle in the center with the number 8 and various answer options surrounding it. You can reference a real Magic 8 Ball or find images online to guide your design. Lastly, add straps or handles to the inside of the costume to make it easier to wear. These can be made from fabric, elastic, or even repurposed backpack straps. Make sure they are secure and comfortable so you can move around easily throughout the night. To complete the Magic 8 Ball look, consider adding some accessories such as a question mark necklace or a black hat. You can also carry around a smaller Magic 8 Ball toy to enhance the interactive aspect of your costume. Overall, the Magic 8 Ball Halloween costume is a fun and creative choice that allows you to engage with others by providing humorous and mysterious answers to their questions. With some basic materials and a little creativity, you can bring this classic toy to life and have a memorable Halloween experience..
Reviews for "Celebrate Halloween in Style with a Magic 8 Ball Costume"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the Magic 8 ball halloween costume. First of all, the material was cheap and flimsy. It felt like I was wearing a trash bag rather than a costume. Secondly, the design was poorly executed. The "8" on the front was barely visible and the print was already fading after just one use. Overall, the costume looked nothing like the picture and I felt like I wasted my money on it. I would not recommend this costume to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Magic 8 ball halloween costume, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The fit was awkward and uncomfortable. The costume was too tight around the shoulders and too loose around the waist. It was also surprisingly difficult to see through the small mesh panel in the front. The inflatable 8 ball shape was just not practical for moving around and I found myself bumping into things all night. In summary, while the concept is fun, the execution of this costume needs improvement.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
Honestly, I was not impressed with the Magic 8 ball halloween costume. The quality of the costume was below average, the seams were poorly stitched and started to come undone after just a few hours of wearing it. The sizing was also off, it was way too short for my liking and made me feel self-conscious. Additionally, the costume lacked any sort of accessories or extra details, making it a very plain and uninteresting costume. I would suggest looking for a different option if you want to make an impact at your Halloween party.