Monday, October 15, 2012

Keep the Change: Costumes on a Coin


A copy of my latest column for the Shawnee Outlook (with a few extras added in):

Halloween is just around the corner and whether you Trick-or-Treat, head out to a Fall Festival or simply need a quick costume for a school celebration, everyone wants to know how to get a costume in a pinch. Let’s be honest, we don’t all want to be parading ourselves or our children around in the same plastic get-ups from the local store, but we’re not necessarily wanting to shell out the cash for a big-ticket ensemble either. The easiest answer? Make your own!

These are the classics I’ve pulled out in years past:

Clown – The best part of this costume is there are no set guidelines - grab some cheap facepaint and mis-matched clothes and you’re good to go.

Hippie – Seek out flared pants from your closet or the local thrift store, find a tie-dyed shirt (or make your own!), slap on some colored sunglasses and a scarf tied around your forehead and you’re groovy!


Or, think outside the (cardboard) box! One of these, with arm and neck holes cut out, can create any number of things – a robot, a Lego(use foam cups for the round parts), a pair of dice (grab a friend!) – use your imagination.  Look on-line for other great ideas!



Hot right now for girls is the use of tutus for just about any costume. Grab some inexpensive tulle and elastic, search out a tutorial on-line and you’ll have yourself half of just about anything, from a mermaid, to a fairy, to a superhero!


And, finally, animals of any kind are so simple to re-create with a sweat-suit, construction paper and (if you’re feeling fancy) face paint.

So get creative, see what you have and, remember, more important than what you’re wearing, have FUN!

Looking for more great ideas?  Check out this blog for tons of cheap, creative costume tips!

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