Rachel Bilson Reveals the Hilarious Halloween Costume Betrayal That Left Her Roaming the Street as a Solo Squishmallow

Rachel Bilson planned the ultimate mother-daughter matching Halloween moment, only to find herself walking the neighborhood alone as a giant plush toy. The 45-year-old actress revealed that her daughter, Briar Rose, completely changed outfits at the final hour, abandoning their agreed-upon theme and leaving Bilson to trick-or-treat solo as a Squishmallow.

The lighthearted confession came during Bilson’s promotional tour for her holiday film, Christmas at the Kringles. Bilson took time to celebrate Briar Rose, whom she fondly calls her “Halloween baby” because her birthday falls on Oct. 29.

What was supposed to be a cute holiday photo op quickly turned into an unexpected parenting comedy routine on the neighborhood sidewalk.

How the Matching Costume Plan Fell Apart

According to Bilson, the matching costume was not even her own idea. Briar Rose had spent weeks pitching the concept to her mother before the holiday arrived.

“Last year, she convinced me that she wanted to be a Squishmallow. Well, night of Halloween, who was a Squishmallow — and who wasn’t? I think you get where I’m going with this.”

Squishmallows plush toys on a store shelf.

When the sun set and trick-or-treating began, Bilson showed up in full plush attire. Her daughter, however, made an unannounced wardrobe pivot.

“She abandoned me. And I Squishmallowed myself all the way up the street for trick-or-treating … while she was a mummy.”

Rather than canceling the plan, the Hart of Dixie star owned the moment, marching up the block in full costume while her tween blended into the spooky crowd.

Inside Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen’s Co-Parenting Playbook

Bilson shares Briar Rose with ex Hayden Christensen, 45. The former couple met in 2008 while filming Jumper, welcomed Briar in 2014, and formally separated in 2017.

While celebrity breakups often spark tabloid speculation of bitter disputes, Bilson has consistently emphasized that their day-to-day focus remains strictly unified around their daughter.

Briar Rose Christensen and Hayden Christensen attend an event together in Los Angeles.

The Real Rules of Their Co-Parenting Dynamic

Bilson previously explained that managing joint custody comes down to clear dialogue and setting personal egos aside completely.

• Constant communication: Keeping direct lines open so both parents are never out of the loop.
• Child-first alignment: Ensuring every single decision prioritizes Briar Rose’s well-being above personal convenience.
• Unified boundaries: Presenting a common front on major lifestyle and career guidelines.

As Bilson pointed out, keeping things centered on Briar makes all the difference: “Communication is key. And just being on the same page, so everything’s about the kid. As long as you put the kid first, everything will be okay.”

Protecting Briar Rose from the Hollywood Spotlight

Growing up with two working actors naturally sparked Briar Rose’s curiosity about the entertainment industry from an early age.

Rachel Bilson and her daughter Briar Rose.

During an appearance on the podcast Betches, Bilson revealed that Briar had already expressed a desire to act. However, both parents agreed to shield her from the industry during her formative years.

“I think to keep that away from her as long as possible is our top choice,” Bilson shared. “It’s not what I would want for her at this age.”

Rachel Bilson celebrates her birthday with her daughter, Briar Rose.

When asked what guidance she will offer if Briar eventually pursues professional acting as an adult, the former The O.C. star emphasized core character over technical tricks.

“She’s such a kind human, and I think that because you start with kindness, that’s the best advice you can give anyone going through anything in this world — that’s how you want to show up every day,” Bilson said.

💬 Parenting tweens comes with unexpected plot twists, especially when holiday costumes are on the line.

✨ From solo Squishmallow walks to thoughtful co-parenting boundaries, Bilson continues to keep family life grounded and relatable.

📱 Have your kids ever backed out of a matching family costume at the last second? Drop your funniest parenting stories in the comments below!