Make Your Own Halloween Costumes

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

05 Oct 2009 03:46 PM

Are you that mom?

My fellow blogger Andrea is not. At least not when it comes to Halloween costumes.

Interestingly, I was not raised by that mom. My mom is extremely crafty, and throughout my childhood her exceptional creativity gave birth to many homemade Halloween costumes.

Like Andrea, my mom designed dozens of funny, scary, cute and crazy getups for her children each October.

The following costume ideas are oldies but goodies and are just as easy to make today as they were decades ago. What's more, they are a lot cheaper than the overpriced store versions:

Clown: Dig around your attic or closet and find clothes that are too big for your child. Embellish the items with loose fabric, patches, paint or markers. Then, look around for an oversized hat, a cheap wig, and big shoes. You can top it all off with some clown makeup.

Tourist: Boys can borrow dad's loud Hawaiian shirt and a pair of shorts (weather permitting) with knee white high socks and black shoes. Throw on a straw hat and you are ready for trick-or-treating. For girls: Find a bright printed dress, a big straw hat, a straw bag, sunglasses, slippers, and add extra rouge for that sunburned look. Both boys and girls can carry a camera, maps and a shopping bag to complete the look.

Hippie: Round up some tie-dyed clothing, a long wig, a pair of sandals or slippers, a headband, anything with fringe on it (vests, purse, etc.) and sunglasses.

Hobo: Grab a pair of oversized jeans and attach patches. Then, get an oversized flannel shirt or suit jacket from Goodwill and cut small holes in it. Finish the look with old sneakers and a tattered hat. You could also use makeup to paint on a beard.

Scarecrow: Use an oversized flannel shirt and faded blue jeans or overalls with patches. Use a rope for a belt and yarn to tie at the cuffs of jeans and sleeves. Stuff the shirt and jeans with plastic grocery bags or wads of tissue paper. Place some straw at the bottom of the jeans and the shirt to make the costume look authentic.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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