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