Last Minute Creative Costume Ideas to Save Halloween

Costumes don't have to be expensive to be great.

And they don't have to be store-bought.

There's probably already stuff in your home that you can use to make one-of-a-kind costumes. We're talking about finding the knick-knacks in every home and creating an awesome outfit that’ll give you the “I’m walking away with the best costume award” kind of swagger.

To get you started, here are a few ideas of costumes you can make from household materials.

Charlie Brown

Supplies: A plain yellow shirt, black construction paper or black paint, stocking cap (optional).

• Simply take the yellow shirt and create the trademark "Charlie Brown look," with a consistent line of black construction paper, or black paint.
• Throw on some pants or shorts with sneakers.
• If you're really committed to the unnaturally bald look, thrown on a stocking cap.

Chipotle burrito

Supplies: Tin foil, tape, black marker, scissors.

• Wrap yourself in several layers of tin foil around the torso, arms and legs.
• Then, create a large cocoon-like shell that approximates the burrito look—you may need to find a helper to make sure you are fully ensconced.
• Draw a large S or C with a black sharpie, to specify if you are a chicken or beef burrito.

Old school television

Supplies: Cardboard box, scissors, duct tape, wire hangers, black marker.

• Take a large cardboard box and cut a hole in one side of the box, resembling an old television screen.
• Unwrap a wire hanger so that it looks like a “V” and duct tape the “V” atop the box, creating something that looks like an antenna.
• Draw knobs and dials on the screen-side of the box to resemble an analog television.

Zombie mom

Supplies: Cooking apron, knife (toy knife is preferable) or household appliance, red nail polish or ketchup, powder make-up, color lipstick (preferably red and green), ripped clothing, cooking flour.

• Use the various supplies to make yourself or your child look like a zombie parent.
• Discolor the apron with food stains or fake blood.
• Use household makeup or cooking flour to make your face very pale and add crazy lipstick colors to discolor your face.
• Ripped or dirty clothing is always a nice touch.
• Hold a kitchen appliance (dough rollers are a nice touch) and use that as a “weapon” for the costume.

Favorite athlete

Supplies: A jersey of a professional athlete, pillows or blankets, dirt, sports equipment.

• Lots of kids want to grow up to be sports stars, so use that to your advantage when planning a costume.
• Take a jersey you already have (Ravens, Steelers, Yankees) and fill out the rest of the outfit.
• Depending on the sport, you may need to “buff up” the costume to increase the appearance of muscles.
• If you only have a generic jersey that resembles a team but not specifically a professional team shirt, write a famous players’ name on the back of the shirt.
• Construction paper and some handy penmanship are all that’s needed.