The giant bags of candy are bought, the spooky decorations line the porch and even the pumpkin is sporting a ghoulish grin. There’s just one thing that you’re missing on this quickly approaching Hallows Eve. A costume. Now, how on earth did you forget that?
Not to worry. There’s no need to run out to the costume shop and spend a ton of money on some mask you don’t even like, or rifle through the sizes and bemoan that only extra smalls are left. Never fear, here’s a quick guide to some homemade costumes that won’t even put a dent in your wallet.
A Box of Crayons – You’ll need a few friends to pull this one off, but it’s beyond simple. Buy your favorite color piece of poster board and cut off a piece to use to wrap in a cone shape for your head. Wrap the rest around your body, secure with tape, and somewhere in there have written “color” on your side with the Crayola design black square. Now go find a box to join!
A Panda – Aww, how cute. How could anyone resist an adorable panda? Simply put on black pants and a black long sleeved shirt. Over that put on a plain white t-shirt with a pair of black gloves (it’s chilly out there anyways). To make your ears and tail, simply cut out black construction paper in proper shapes and tape tail to your backside and ears to a black headband. Ta da! Now you just need some black and white face paint and you’re all set.
A Jester – This is a personal favorite of mine. Find some fun colored tights and a large, square patterned or diamond patterned shirt. The cheesier looking the better. Either find a jester’s hat at a thrift store for cheap, or make one using three different colored pieces of construction paper – form triangles, glue together and bobby pin to your head. Add some bells through your shoelaces and everyone will hear you coming a mile away. Practice your cartwheels!
A Hippie – Looking for something beyond simple? Hippies knew how to give you that peace of mind. Grab a pair of bell bottomed (or even flare) jeans, put on a tye-dye t-shirt, find some cheap (or make some) peace sign or smiley face jewelry and you’re all set to go. Try braiding your hair or putting on a bandana for additional flower-power love.
Chick Magnet – Always dreamed of getting the girl? Try taking a literal approach and tape yellow paper chicks all over your shirt with a few old-fashioned looking magnets. Even better? Still got some old peeps left? Now all that’s left is to practice your smirk.
“Your Mom” – Ah, that lovely cliché that’s spurned so many jokes. Dress up in an old bath robe (floral is the best!), slippers and grab a coffee mug on your way out the door. For extra benefits, try putting your hair in foam curlers or wrap a towel around your head.
A Pirate – Let Captain JackSparrow know how much you love him by dressing up like a fellow pirate. Wear a striped shirt (red and white work best), a pair of old jeans and cover one eye with an eyepatch. Tie a bandana around your head and try on some big hoop earrings. If you’re a guy, perhaps try a beard. Make sure your “arrs” sound realistic and be sure to use the words “Matey” and “rum.”
A Rubik’s Cube – Do you enjoy not sitting down all evening? Then is this the perfect costume. Get a box and cover each of the four sides in a different piece of poster board (red, white, yellow, green, blue and orange are your color choices). Draw lines on the paper to make 9 cubes. Secure it to yourself by attaching string to the corners and carrying it over your shoulders. If you feel like remaining unsolved, use individual sheets of construction paper to make up your 9 cubes.