Dustin Smith and his husband Burton Buffaloe have become known for their creative and lavish Halloween costumes, a tradition they have maintained for over a decade. However, this year, their 10-year-old son, Stone, decided to shake things up with a new theme that diverged from the family’s usual selection of classics such as The Simpsons, Star Wars, and Peter Pan. Instead, Stone opted for a monster theme inspired by the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things.
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Smith, who owns a sixth-generation farm called Holl & Stone Farms in Garner, North Carolina, explained that Stone has never watched the series but, like many children today, is well-acquainted with the characters. “He knows all about Ghostface from Scream even though he hasn’t seen the film,” said Smith. “He’s really excited about his costume.”
Holl & Stone Farms, which has been owned by the Buffaloe family since 1878, has established a tradition of elaborate Halloween costumes over the years, driven by a deep love of the season. Burton Buffaloe recalled how significant the fall season has been for him, remarking, “From the moment our kids were born, I knew I wanted to recreate that same magic for them.” He expressed how these family customs have created some of his most treasured memories as a parent.
Dustin Smith, who grew up in a conservative household where Halloween was more subdued, found himself developing a fascination for the holiday as a young adult. He recounted that he did not dress up as a child, instead participating in church events. As a parent, he became dedicated to celebrating Halloween and wanted to continue the tradition for as long as possible with his children.
Interestingly, Smith noticed that the twins are eager for Halloween far in advance. “Five months ago, we were already discussing at dinner what our costumes should be, and it’s lovely to brainstorm together as a family,” he said with a smile. The family’s initial foray into Halloween costumes in 2017 involved a modest Popeye theme, but things escalated quickly thereafter with a Wizard of Oz theme in the following year, complete with theatrical makeup.
The family has employed a variety of whimsical themes over the years, including Peter Pan, where daughter Holland drew attention for her resemblance to Tinkerbell. Smith, a self-described nerd, particularly enjoyed the time the family transformed into the iconic Addams Family, albeit at the cost of shocking his children. “I shaved my beard to be Morticia, and it really upset them. There were tears,” he recalled, chuckling at the memory.
While Smith usually endeavored to stick to classic characters that everyone could recognise, this year his son was eager for something distinctly different. “Stone is really into monsters, and he wanted something scary,” said Smith. “He took the lead, and together we’ve spent nights perfecting his costume.”
The process of creating Stone’s costume as the horrifying Demogorgon from Stranger Things involved painting intricate details on a bodysuit, crafting claws for his feet, and even adding platform boots to make him seem taller. Stone’s creativity also showed through as he constructed a robot costume from cardboard complete with special effects. “He seems to enjoy the process of making it just as much, if not more, than dressing up as the character on Halloween,” Smith noted.
Holland, meanwhile, has embraced her own character from season five, aptly resembling Holly. Smith described her as more socially inclined and fond of “bedazzling things,” showcasing the twins’ differing personalities.
In a notable change, Dustin and Burton, both of whom have backgrounds in technology and design, seized the chance to purchase the family farm during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their aim was to create a space for their children to inherit, allowing them to slow down and build lasting memories. “It feels like my childhood is coming full-circle,” Buffaloe expressed, hoping that years from now, their children will reflect on these times with fondness and nostalgia.
In a world rapidly moving towards the digital, the Smith-Buffaloe family continues to foster traditions rooted strongly in creativity and familial bonding, embracing the joy of making memories together.