It’s the second biggest money-making holiday of the year. Between the candy, the costumes, the decor, the pumpkins, and more, even the most mild reveler can end up broke. So how can you save big this year on the creepiest night of all? Here are some of the Queen’s favorite tips for saving money on costuming your little people.
1) Look at what you’ve already got! It’s time to dig through the dress up, pull out the sports uniforms, and see what “big people” clothes can be turned into little people costumes. For instance, with a painted goatee, dad’s shirt and tie, and a hat, your little business man is ready to hit the candy trail. Or an apron, paired with a free Steak n Shake Hat (or a bakers hat that you can find at a party goods store), some flour on the face, a rolling pin, pans, and hot pads and you’ve got a baker (now to just dress the butcher and the candlestick maker). Lady Kim suggested a great one! Her son was a basket of dirty laundry one year (we’ve got plenty of that around here). She bought some cheap sweats (which he could use again), cut a hole in the basket to fit it around his waist, and filled with laundry. Too creative, cute, and fun! Lady Angie said her daughter went as a Twister Game – turning the mat into a poncho, wearing the spinner on her head, and painting her face a red dot. There’s plenty that could be repurposed for a unique and cute costume. The Duchess turned the Royal Niece and Nephews into the nativity one year, easily – bathrobes, tinsel, a baby doll, a shepherd’s stick, etc. When the Duke was an infant, my parents put him in white sweats, rolled him in flour and toilet paper to create an adorable mummy. 🙂 Bottom line, more than likely everything you need for a fun, original costume is in your house – curtains can become a dress, cardboard boxes can be converted into a giant iPod, common household items can be magically transformed. I guarantee it will be more memorable for a child to help you make something that to purchase something.
2) Host a costume swap. Network with friends who have kids of all ages. Invite them over to bring in costumes from years passed. Everyone leaves with the same number of costumes that they came with and no one spends a dime!
3) Hit the library. LOTS of magazines have great costume ideas to be made on the quick and cheap right now. Spend an hour leafing through the magazines at the library (so you don’t have the added cost of buying them) to get inexpensive, original, and cute ideas.
4) Buy Next Year’s Costume this Year. Most stores clearance their costumes the day after Halloween for at least 50% off (and then up to 90% off in the days following). Think ahead so you’re not stuck with the same problem next year.
5) Check out online resources like Oriental Trading and Kipp Toys (an Indianapolis based company that even has an in store $5/$5 coupon in Discover Indy Books). You’re very likely to find a mask, hat, or accessory to pair with something you already have to keep your costs down.
6) If you do decide to buy in store, RESEARCH. Do not hit the costume aisle with your kiddos if you haven’t already done some research either in store or online to gage prices (I typed gauge instead of gage first. Can you tell how I feel about costume prices?). That way, you can give them specific options or choices that are in your price range. You’ll buy the farm if you go in there cold, folks. Just sayin’.
Hope these tips give you some costume composing ideas! If you’ve got another idea, leave it here.
www.queenoffree.net
We bought Buzz Lightyear pajamas at Wal-Mart for $7, which can be used as a costume and, in the weeks leading up to Halloween, an everyday shirt — hypothetically, of course. 😉
Also, our local dollar stores and Goodwill offer lots of accessories and costume pieces for $1 each. We even found Fantastic Four jumpsuits for $2 at one chain! Our son has no idea who they are, but it’s a versatile outfit.
We bought Buzz Lightyear pajamas at Wal-Mart for $7, which can be used as a costume and, in the weeks leading up to Halloween, an everyday shirt — hypothetically, of course. 😉
Also, our local dollar stores and Goodwill offer lots of accessories and costume pieces for $1 each. We even found Fantastic Four jumpsuits for $2 at one chain! Our son has no idea who they are, but it’s a versatile outfit.