by Penny S. Vincent

Created on: October 10, 2009

Halloween is similar to Christmas in many ways. Both holidays excite people of all ages, and both stimulate the spirit of giving. Both holidays generate the feeling that there's magic in the air. People go overboard with decorations for both occasions. Moreover, both holidays are celebrated in some fashion by the majority of Americans, no matter what their religious beliefs and lifestyles are.

However, there is one noticeable difference between Halloween and Christmas. That difference is the costumes used in the festivities, and the amount of usage. With Christmas, costumes are usually traditional and are used mostly in plays, parades, or religious ceremonies. These costumes are limited to those that symbolize the birth of Christ or represent Santa Claus and the North Pole. They are seldom worn at any other time other than Christmas. Most of the costumes symbolizing Christ's birth are homemade, while Santa and the North Pole outfits are usually rented from stores.

On the other hand, Halloween costumes vary from traditional to modern themes. They can be designed to be frightening or cute. People wear Halloween costumes for parties, carnivals, fairs, contests, parades, masquerade balls, and other dances. The costumes are used for trick or treating, and often children use them for pretend playing long after Halloween has passed. Halloween costumes can be store bought, homemade, or a combination of the two.

I prefer the homemade Halloween costumes over the store bought ones. They demonstrate the creativity and problem solving skills of the creator. Whether simple or complicated, a homemade costume proves the person put in quite a bit of thought and effort into its design.

It's amazing how simple objects, like sheets and cardboard boxes, can be converted into awesome costumes. For instance, a white sheet can become a ghost, angel, or mummy outfit. Old clothes can be used to create a hobo, clown, or zombie costume. Numerous costumes can be made from cardboard boxes and some type of paper or aluminum foil. Take for example, a robot, dice, cards, or Sponge Bob Square Pants can all be made from cardboard boxes and paper.

An old braided throw rug can transform any young boy into a mighty brave. A flimsy white nightgown can turn a young girl into a blushing bride or princess. Of course, some make-up might be needed too!

However, masks and costume accents can also be made at home. Flour, food coloring, and dryer lint can be turned into a scary mask. Water paints, mascara, and lipstick are also excellent components of homemade masks and costumes.

In addition, extra cloth, Paper Mache, PCV pipes, stiff and soft wires, and coat hangers are excellent for designing costumes that are more complicated. Then there's also cotton balls, crayons, glue or paste, and glitter to help too. Of course, a sewing machine or needle and thread are great assets in the creator's arsenal. In other words, just about any small item in the house could be utilized.

The number of costumes that can be made at home is limited only to one's own imagination, creativity, and local resources. Store bought costumes may be more convenient or modern, but homemade costumes are still better in many ways. Almost anything utilized for a homemade costume can be recycled and used again for some other purpose. This cannot be said of most store bought costumes.

Thus, homemade costumes are less expensive than store bought ones. Homemade costumes are more environmentally friendly. Best of all, designing a costume teaches the child problem solving skills, and encourages creativity as well.

Learn more about this author, Penny S. Vincent.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.