Creating Halloween costumes instead of purchasing them can save money this October - but more importantly, doing it yourself with the help of the would-be trick-or-treaters at your house can be a fun project for everyone. Here are several simple, economical costumes families can put together with ease that will look terrific on Halloween night!
1.) Mummy: A perennial favorite, this scary look is fun and fast. Best result comes from using rolls of gauze in different widths. In the weeks leading up to Halloween, look for drug and discount store sales on first aid supplies and stock up. Before the wrapping starts, unravel the gauze rolls and dirty them for a truly ghoulish look. Have the kids run around trailing them through the back yard to pick up a good layer of grime for an authentic look of decay. If the weather's too cold for that, prepare a diluted mix of black, grey or brown paint (or all three) and dab it on with a sponge or cloth after the wrapping is complete. To wrap a child, first dress them in clothes appropriate to the weather as you won't want to cover the finished mummy. Then begin winding, either from the feet up or from the head down. Have the child hold the end, then overlap as you go along to keep the gauze in place. Nice if you let ends dangle as you switch rolls as it makes the mummy look fresh from the tomb!
2.) Sponge Bob: If you're handy with a paint brush, create a Sponge Bob costume with a cast off cardboard carton. The child can wear the costume with their head and arms exiting holes you've appropriately cut. Little shoulders will be more comfortable inside that box if you line the inside with some polyfil stuffing or foam (old shoulder pads from thrift store bargains work nicely).
3.) Cookie Monster: This beloved Sesame Street character can be created in a jiffy if you've found the right blue blanket at a thrift store, garage or rummage sale before Halloween. For those googly eyes, two ping pong balls you've added black pupils to with a Magic Marker are glued on to the part of the blanket at the top of the child's head. Cut out a mouth circle, which is the hole your child's face will show through. Be sure to trim the length of the blanket with a pair of shears to a length that enables your child to walk safely and comfortably.
3. Bunch of Grapes: For older children, a bunch of grapes can be a fun costume to make and to wear. Visit your local dollar store and buy packages of balloons. Red, green or purple all work well for this. The child should be dressed in sweats the color of the balloons, and you'll need a roll of packing or duct tape. Blowing up the balloons will keep everyone busy and laughing for quite a while, so start early and be sure to have refreshments on hand! Once there are lots and lots of balloons, start taping them to the child working from the knees upward, widening each row of balloons to create a 'bunch of grapes' effect. To top off the illusion, several felt leaves as hair decoration complete the image. Older kids will also have fun bursting the balloons when trick-or-treating is finished!
4. Corpse bride: For the girl who wants this look, you'll need to start visiting area thrift stores in search of the perfect cast-off finery. Whether an actual bridal gown or another formal dress, there are usually dozens to choose from at under $10. When your little one finds one she likes, bring it home and begin altering it for her. If you have sewing skills, feel free to employ them...but if you don't, fear not, a pair of scissors will do the trick. You'll want to shorten the dress to a good walking length for the child. If you haven't the sewing finesse to take it in where necessary, simply attach ribbons to the side seams and use them to cinch in the dress at her waist. Shredding the fabric you've cut off and applying it (via stitches or a glue gun) will give the dress a nice air of decay. You can purchase Halloween spider webs and spiders and attach those as well. Make her up for the big day with stitch marks done in eyebrow pencil and you'll have a beautiful little ghoul!
And finally, do keep an eye out for the creative possibilities unique items of trash or recycling present. For example:
If you receive a large package stuffed with lots of brown paper...consider using it to create a 'baked potato' costume. Crushing the paper as necessary, create the shape of an Idaho spud around the child. "Split" the front by denting it in, and add the toppings - sour cream from white paper, or polyfil. A pat of butter can be created from a small flat box painted yellow. Shredded American cheese can be indicated by strips of orange construction paper...One of my son's favorite costumes was the result of a neighbor throwing out an old dressmaker's dummy. We brought it home, disassembled it, spray painted it silver, and strapped it onto my son - who made a great robot!