by Cyndi Roberts
Halloween is a time of year that children of
all ages enjoy. Children love to play dress-up.
This year, instead of expensive store-bought costumes why not try coming up with
a costume using items you already have...plus a little ingenuity and
imagination!
1. Kids might like to be a "person from the 1950's". All they need is a
black "leather" jacket plus a white t-shirt and jeans. Put a little gel on
your little boy's hair and give him a 50's "do" and he's all set.
A little girl could roll her jeans up and tie her pony tail with a scarf.
White bobby socks and loafers complete the look.
2. If you sew, you can come up with lots of costumes. One year, I made a
black cape with a red lining for a dracula costume. That black cape was
used for several years...once as a magician's cape, once as part of a witch's
costume and probably some others that I don't remember!
3. This year my little grandson is going to dress up as a scarecrow... with a
plaid flannel shirt and jeans with patches sewn on. A little raffia inside
his shirt sleeves and pants legs and some freckles and red cheeks painted on and
he's set!
4. It's easy for a little boy or girl to become a cowboy for a night! Jeans,
boots and a cowboy hat plus a stick horse to ride are all you need.
5. If your child wants to be something a little scarier like a skeleton, just
cut "bones" out of white paper or fabric and attach to black pants and shirt.
A little white face paint completes the look.
6. How about a pirate costume? Black pants, white shirt with a red sash
are what you need. Make a black eye-patch and tie a scarf around your
little one's head and add a clip-on hoop earring. Your child might even
have fun making a cardboard saber.
7. Has your daughter been in a wedding this past year and has a fancy dress that
will never be worn again? Why not let her be a Princess this year for
Halloween? Make her a pretty crown with cardboard and glitter and she'll
have a ball!
At any rate, it's not necessary to spend lots of money on a costume. And it's
lots of fun to make your own!
Helping you live the good life...on a budget! Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the
"1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly e-newsletter and founder of the website of
the same name. Visit
http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free
e-cooking book. Subscribe to the e-newsletter and receive the free
e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".