Frugal Halloween Ideas

With Halloween around the corner, I've been thinking about inexpensive costumes that don't look "cheap". A few ideas:

• Cardboard boxes & suspenders or rope can be used to make robots, cars, trucks, tractors, etc. I've even seen a porta-potty costume! (How funny would that be at a costume party!) Dress the little one up in the proper outfit to complete the look.
  
• Posterboard, foam board & fishing line can be used to make an easy last minute sandwich costume (lettuce, tomatoe, cheese, & bread), oversized fruit or veggies, slice of pizza, even Spongebob. Just cut out whatever shape you need, some markers, and hang it from your neck...whala, done. You can get really detailed with it using different color poster boards and embellishments along with some glue to jazz it up.
• Old sheets or gauze can be used to create a mummy. Cut it into strips, wrap the little one up and add a little white, grey, and black make up to finish the costume. You can add some little plastic bugs to the strips to jazz it up a bit.
• Goodwill or thrift store are excellent resourses for a number of possible costumes. Any clothing and props can usually be found to make an inexensive costume. Funky mismatched clothes & the proper makeup could turn anyone into a hobo or clown, a suit can turn you into a preacher or news reporter (like Lois Lane or Clark Kent), ball player & chearleader uniforms or scrubs to be a doctor or nurse. With some clever finds at the local thrift store, you can also put together a unique pirate, waitress, chef, soldier or an Indianna Jones type costumes with a few extra props. The possiblities are endless.

Little Birdie Secret has some great party, food, & costume ideas for the season. I really liked the rubix cube costume!

Last year my oldest son, Joey, decided to be a soldier. We had all the props and wardrobe in the house. He had camo pants, a camo thermal shirt, and military style hat. Of course we have several toy guns to pick from and a little of my dark eye makeup finished his costume. It turned out so well, he took 2nd place in the city's costume contest. The homemade robot won 1st place!!! This year my son has finally settled on what to be for the big spookin day: Shaggy and Scooby. This is going to be relatively simple to pull off. We're heading to the local thrift store this weekend to put it together. A simple green V neck shirt, some tan or khaki pants (which we already have) and fake whiskers should do just nicely for Shaggy. I've been thinking about using fake eyelashes trimmed to about 1/4 inch for the gotee but if nothing else, I can always "draw" him one. He has a large inflatable Scooby so all I plan to do is make a leash from a wire hanger so Scooby's not dragging the ground while we're trick or treating!

My youngest, Daniel, was a homemade kitty last year but he was really too little to trick or treak since he was barely a year old. He actually slept through most of it but, this year I'm making use of a high dollar costume bought several years back when my oldest was about his age. After this year, all three of my children will have worn it plus one of my step children so I've definately gotten my money's worth!

Hopefully you've gotten some nifty thrifty Halloween ideas!

Happy Halloween everyone!