How To Make Your Own Homemade Halloween Costume

Let's face it, with the economy going the way it is, more and more families are searching for ways to save a few dollars here and there. The end of the year brings the most expensive holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We should think of new ideas to save a little money instead of wasting it all away.

Well, I've got great news for you! There is no good reason not to devote part of your day to making your own homemade Halloween costume. This will not only save you some money, but it can be a great family activity for you and your children. And you can never get enough quality family time in these times.

Most of us aren't very creative, so here are four ideas to get you started in making your own homemade Halloween costume:

1. With a little bit of resizing, an old formal dress can turn a little girl into a bride or beauty pageant queen. Of course you could always take something from your father's closet and look like a Nerd or Businessman. You can always come up with your own punk rocker or hippie costume with clothes you already have.


2. Headbands
Many costumes require little more than a headband and a hot glue gun. If you have both of these items at your home, you should start to look around for things to begin gluing on. If you have some tulle, a doily, lace, or any piece of fabric, you can make a veil. To jazz it up some, try an addition of flowers. Cut some felt pieces and glue them on to make ears (rabbit ears, kitten ears, puppy ears, and any other animal or pet that you can think of).. You can even quickly make antennae to be an alien or bug by simply gluing some pipe cleaners onto a headband.

3. Sweatsuits
A white sweatsuit can easily become a cow or Dalmatian. Use a fabric or permanent marker to draw spots on the fabric. Then put a little black on your child's nose. (Add ears if you have time, using a headband and felt see above.)

4. Cardboard Boxes
Got a large cardboard box laying around? Cut holes for your head and arms, and then create any number of costumes in minutes. You can easily create a child's costume by using a Sharpie to draw a screen and buttons to be a television. You can even take an old cord and glue it to the back of the box. How about a computer? Similar idea-- just sketch a screen onto the front of it, and then you should paste a PC mouse (or even a furry mouse as a joke) to the side of the box. One of my favorite costumes is a washing machine. Make an opening on top of the box (in front of the child's head), or on the front of the box. Inside this opening you can glue a smaller box or bag, and this can be where everyone places the child's candy when he goes trick or treating.

Homemade Halloween costumes are fun, exciting and don't cost a lot of money like buying your own. Just look around the house and use a little imagination, and your child will soon be wearing one of the best costumes in the neighborhood!