Happy Halloween! Oct. 31 is finally here, and it’s time to celebrate. “Halloweentown” viewings, pumpkin carving and scary stories are all great, but the best part of this holiday is definitely dressing up.
If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you spent a long time picking out your costume. It has to be creative, funny and, assuming you’re not celebrating in a family-friendly manner, it has to show a little skin.
Hopefully, you’ve come up with the perfect outfit by now. And good news: All your hard work can get double the use with something that’s a little more treat than trick — role-play.
Role-play is a great way to try new things and experiment while still enjoying the safety and comfort of hooking up with your partner. Plus, you get the added benefit of feeling like you’re with a totally new person, if that’s something you’re into.
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 10/31/2014]
It’s especially great for long-term relationships or hookups that have gotten a little stale.
While role-play is totally doable the other days of the year, it’s easier on Halloween because you’re already dressed up. A lot of costumes even have built-in roleplaying options.
Dressing up like a schoolgirl? Enjoy your chance to be a little more submissive. Spankings for late homework should definitely be implemented to really get into character. Cop and robber, doctor and patient, firefighter and cat — stuck in a tree, work with me here — are all great couple costumes that look good at parties and work well in the bedroom.
Dressing up, whether just for some trick-or-treating or for some door-to-door action in bed, is a great way to release your inhibitions. Looking the part gives you reason to act like your alternate persona.
There’s no reason to feel self-conscious because for those few minutes — or more, if you’re really lucky — you’re not you. You’re Beyoncé or the Slutty Pumpkin or a sexy Ebola nurse.
If you’re normally on the shy side, wearing a costume is a great excuse to try something new and act like you normally wouldn’t. Wearing the costume all night will build anticipation for what’s to come — and who’s to come, for that matter.
As with any other sex act, make sure you and your partner are both OK with it. If your partner doesn’t seem that into the roleplaying, ask if they want to continue, or go back to a point where they were more comfortable.
If your roleplaying is going to be fully in character, it might also be a good idea to decide on a safe word to use. This is especially important if you’re dressing up as something like a dominatrix, which might make for more hardcore roleplay than you’re used to. Make sure the safe word is something you wouldn’t normally say. Feel free to think of Halloween-themed phrases.
If you’re still wary of trying out some roleplaying so soon, save your costume and pull it out when you feel comfortable. Even just parts of it — a wig, handcuffs, a stethoscope — can make things more exciting than your standard Plain Jane sex.
If you do want to try something new, drink some witch’s brew, watch “Hocus Pocus” and get everything out of your costume you can by doing a little roleplaying. It’ll make this Halloween one to remember for you and your … boo.
Robyn Smith is a UF journalism junior. Her columns appear on Fridays.
