| ...by observing you, children learn how to create and | | | | you can use it to create a very simple, easy, costume. |
| they learn craft. These powerful memories imprint a | | | | Create a fake diploma and drape it from the waist tied |
| more important message. They come to understand | | | | by a string or yarn of same color or wear like a |
| the superiority of the creative tightwad method. - Amy | | | | necklace. You don't want the trick or treater to have |
| Dacyczyn, a.k.a. The Frugal ZealotHalloween | | | | to carry it. I've discovered these types of accessories |
| costumes are so different today. Super heroes, | | | | usually end up in Mom's or Dad's hands to carry after |
| wizards, and cartoon characters rule the trick or treat. | | | | a short time. Halloween Costume Recycling Tip: Any |
| It was not too long ago.....ok it was maybe a while | | | | discarded or unwanted work uniform (nursing, military, |
| ago......when I was a small trick or treater that costumes | | | | fireman, policeman) can be used as a Halloween |
| were much more original.You were not likely to bump | | | | costume.The Witch - A long black dress or all over |
| into three or four other characters that looked exactly | | | | black pants with black top can be combined with a |
| like you. Oh, you might run into a costume of the same | | | | witch hat and black cape(make your own if you're |
| theme, but it would be totally unique by comparison. Of | | | | crafty). Add black boots and make up face to suit. |
| course my mom created our Halloween costumes. | | | | Scarecrow - cut up some old jeans and a flannel shirt |
| You can create unique Halloween costumes and save | | | | in scarecrow fashion. Cut sleeve ends and pants leg |
| money by recycling items.Create your own unique | | | | ends in strips to look tattered. Use straw or an old |
| costumes. Remember that Halloween costumes | | | | straw broom's bristles and glue or tape along inside |
| exaggerate to be most effective. So the more | | | | edges of sleeves, pants legs, along bottom of shirt to |
| accessories, the better. Some easy to make | | | | appear as if bursting out of the scarecrow. Add a |
| costumes using items around the house, borrowed | | | | straw hat.These are all good halloween costume ideas |
| from friends and/or relatives, or purchased for next to | | | | and I'm sure you get the picture by now. The idea is to |
| nothing at your local thrift store include:The little old lady | | | | use as many items as you have on hand to create |
| or man - dress accordingly in an older man's (a suit is | | | | these timeless Halloween costumes. The possibilities |
| great) or woman's clothing. A hat is a nice touch. If you | | | | are limited only by your imagination.Don't let that little girl |
| don't have a real walking cane you can substitute an | | | | cry because you can't find her the purrrrrrrrrrr-fect cat |
| appropriate size stick. Add some creative face painting | | | | costume. You can create a much nicer one from |
| with lots of wrinkles of course. Be sure to add the | | | | everyday items and a few craft materials. Chances |
| cracking voice and a prominent limp.The Hobo - | | | | are it will look more realistic than that store bought |
| Recycle some unwanted clothing. Paint on or put on | | | | costume. As a bonus, many of the costume pieces (i.e. |
| patches, rip some areas (especially around the | | | | shirts, pants, tights, gloves/mittens) are reusable after |
| bottoms of pants, ends of sleeves, elbows and knees, | | | | Halloween!A few other Halloween tips:1. Use spray |
| since these areas show wear first). Use black or | | | | paints or craft paints. fabric dye, fabric paints and/or |
| brown makeup to smudge the face a little to look | | | | pens, to color recycled items to desired color. One |
| un-kept. Blush the nose to look a little reddish. (hobos | | | | year I used silver spray paint to color and entire outfit |
| get cold outside) Sport the oldest pair of worn looking | | | | for my son's tin man costume. We recycled aluminum |
| shoes you can find (or even better, two different | | | | foil to use in making the hat and the axe. Some silver |
| shoes) and a tattered hat and you're good to go! | | | | body glitter on the hands and face put the finishing |
| Princess - This is a timeless costume. I think every little | | | | touches on this costume!2. Use regular clothing to |
| girl wants to be a princess at least once. But don't rush | | | | create an all-over color effect as with the animal |
| out and buy the frilliest costume you see. The princess | | | | costumes.3. Consider mittens or gloves when you |
| is merely an expression of elegance. As long as your | | | | need hand color4. A gallon ice cream bucket w/handle |
| little girl feels elegant she is a princess. If you don't | | | | makes a perfect trick or treat bucket. I save these |
| already have a full length fancy party dress, check the | | | | throughout the year and recycle for hundreds of other |
| thrift store for a low cost floor length party dress. Just | | | | uses. Use neon paint or stickers to add bright |
| pick one that looks "princessy." Even better, borrow | | | | decorations. This is a good safety technique to make |
| one if possible.A princess wand can be easily made | | | | kids more visible while trick or treating5. Make your |
| with a dowel or stick and a cardboard star covered | | | | own face paint: You will need Corn starch, Water, Cold |
| with foil. Add frills with duster feathers or ribbons if | | | | cream, and Food coloring.Use several different cups |
| desired. Make a crown. You can easily make one | | | | (custard cups, recycled single serve yogurt or Jell-O |
| using a headband and craft materials. Here's a great | | | | containers, a foam egg carton) Prepare 1 tsp |
| tip: Recycle a Burger King Crown. You know the | | | | cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon each of cold cream and |
| crowns they give out to all the little kiddies at Burger | | | | water. Mix different color food coloring in each cup for |
| King. You can cover with foil or paint and add beads | | | | desired colorsMake your own cream make up: |
| or gemstones to decorate. They also make a great | | | | 2 tsp white shortening |
| pattern for a crown if you want to create it out of | | | | 5 tsp corn starch |
| some other material you have. Animals: For toddlers: | | | | 1 tsp white all purpose flour |
| Use one piece pajamas as a starting point. An extra | | | | glycerin (get at drug store) |
| bonus: the pajamas are warm clothing for what is | | | | Food coloring as desiredTo make enough for one |
| typically a cool weather night in many areas. For | | | | child's face - Use a rubber spatula, blend the first three |
| example.. a fuzzy white, brown, black, or even pink | | | | ingredients until a smooth paste forms. Add 3/4 drops |
| footed pajama can easily become a kitten, rabbit, or | | | | glycerin for a creamier consistency. Add coloring if |
| dog. Add a home made tail using scrap fabrics (attach | | | | desired one drop at a time blending after each drop |
| with safety pin), a headband with the appropriate ears | | | | until you have the desired shade. For easy removal |
| attached, or if you use a hooded outfit attach ears | | | | use shortening, cold cream or baby oil.Remember your |
| directly to hood), some creative face painting using | | | | Halloween safety. Here are a few, but certainly not all |
| home made face paint (below), and you've got a cute | | | | inclusive, reminders of safe trick or treat rules.1. Small |
| little costume that can be used as a comfy outfit after | | | | children should always be accompanied by an adult. |
| trick or treat!For older children use tights or stretch | | | | 2. Use flashlights, bright costumes or decorations to |
| pants, and turtleneck shirts, sweaters, hooded | | | | make trick or treaters more visible. |
| sweatshirts all in the desired color instead of the | | | | 3. Try to frequent the same limited area each year or |
| pajamas. Use desired color of mittens or gloves for | | | | limit visits to friends and families. |
| paws. Bats, lions, tigers, even a skunk can be created | | | | 4. Remind children not to eat candy until they get |
| in much the same way as the above | | | | home and have moms and dads check and approve. |
| animals!Halloween Costume Recycling Tip: Remove | | | | 5. A safe costume should not block or restrict a child's |
| the stuffing from an unwanted large stuffed animal | | | | vision or interfere with mobility. Make sure costumes |
| (through a cut slit down back), launder, and use | | | | are of a safe length so as not to trip the child.Have a |
| sections of fabic for costume. Or, cut a hole for the | | | | safe and Happy Halloween!Cheryl Johnson is a mother |
| face and your toddler may be small enough to fit right | | | | of four helping herself and others become and remain |
| in and use for hooded costume. The Big Baby: This is | | | | debt free. Publisher of Simple Debt Free Living at - a |
| an amusing costume for an older child. Return to the | | | | self-help plan, ideas, and resources for a simple proven |
| diaper zone! A bottle or pacifier, a bib, a homemade | | | | debt elimination strategy, household budget planning, |
| cloth diaper (over tights or pants of course), and a | | | | frugal living, and practical home business ideas. Money |
| rattle. Add some rosy cheeks and your youngster will | | | | saving tips for monthly bills, home decorating, gifts, |
| be ready to laugh (or cry) his/her way through trick or | | | | holidays, weddings, groceries, clothing and much more |
| treat. The Graduate - Have an old graduation cap and | | | | save money every day. |
| gown? If it doesn't hold too much sentimental value, | | | | |