Easy Halloween Costumes

Halloween is a wonderful excuse to plan a costume! Allow your child's imagination to run wild (or your imagination for that matter). The best news is your budget doesn't have to suffer.

Easy Halloween Costumes
by Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder
Halloween is a wonderful excuse to plan a costume! Allow your child's imagination to run wild (or your imagination for that matter). The best news is your budget doesn't have to suffer. Check out these ideas:
Costumes from the closet or second-hand store
Ghost

For the old stand by ghost, grab a old white sheet, cut out the eyes. Be sure its is short enough not to trip. Take scrap piece of sheet, and sew up a simple treat bag.
OR
Why be the same old boring ghost? A ghost going out for a night on the town might like to get dressed up a little. Use the same white sheet, cut out holes for the eyes and a small slit for the mouth. Then dress it up a little. Put eye shadow and lashes around the eyes, Lipstick for the mouth. Put a little color on the cheeks. How about earrings and a necklace or maybe a tie? You could color in a beard or mustache. To be just the cutting edge of fashion ghost, use something besides a white sheet.
Clown

Sweat clothes that are too large is a must! Decorate by using either fabric paint, or markers, or even try tie-dye. Tack on some large pom-poms, add a cheap wig, hat, and make-up. You may also stuff the extra space in clothing with tissue. However this could be messy, if you need to make a "pit-stop."
Scarecrow

You'll need an over-sized flannel shirt, faded blue jeans with patches, rope for belt and to tie at the cuffs of his jeans and sleeves, stuff the shirt and jeans with plastic grocery bags or paper and add a little bit of straw to hang out of jeans and shirt. Make the face with a little bit of make-up.
The American tourist

Boys (and dads too) wear loud Hawaii shirt, shorts (if weather permits) and a large straw hat. Girls (and lets not forget mom) bright loud dress, flats, big sun hat, straw bag. Don't forget to have a camera, and maps hanging out, and that look of being lost. Boys can use a tourist bag, (like you get from travel agents, and girls can use the straw bag for their treats.
1960s Hippy

This one is hard. After all, it's all back in style! What is real, and what is costume? Here are some ideas -- tie-die clothing, long wig (in the old days we called a "fall"), sandals, headband, anything with fringe on it (vests, purse...) light colored sun glasses.
Old man

Dark pants cuffed and pulled up high on the waist, and jacket, most any dress shirt, man's flannel hat and walking cane are the basis for this costume. Gray the hair, with any of the commercial temporary colors, or dust with a little flour.
Old woman

Old style dress, just below knee, knee-hi stockings rolled down a little, oxfords, large black purse transform your child into an older woman.
Real nerd

Slick back the hair, grab some pants that are too short, a white shirt, white socks, penny loafers, or lace up oxfords. Assessories can include a pocket protector, with lots of pens, dark rim glasses (don't forget to tape the corner, or at least paper clip it) briefcase, or backpack for treat bag.
Chinese doll

Paint the child's face white, with rosy cheeks shaped in a circle. Finish the disguise with hair pulled up in a bun, thong shoes, and a kimono (just a old silky housecoat works great for this).
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