Community Corner
Halloween Costumes Too Pricey? Trade Costumes or Make Your Own
Avoid buying $50 costumes this year.
Is it me or does it seem like the Halloween costume prices keep increasing every year?
For the past five years I've spent no less than $50 a costume and they've been nothing fancy.
Last year I went economical and made my own Princess Jasmine costume. I ended up spending more on the material and accessories. The bright side was I made my boyfriend’s Aladdin costume with less than $10.
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I can only imagine what it is like for families with two or more kids to dress up. Knowing kids these days recycling costumes year after year is a no-no. Who wants to be seen in the same costume as last year?
A kid's costume can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 and up at Halloween Express. I guess it takes practice and a mother’s touch to make a nice reasonably priced costume.
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“I try to make at least one costume a year, sometimes both,” said Aimee Vongroven Schluester on Greendale Patch’s Facebook page about her kids’ costumes. “We do 2-3 dress up functions during the season. They hold up well, and I try to be more original. It's fun and challenging...AND way cheaper!”
Other years I have tried going to the thrift store. Unfortunately, I’m not as creative as others in that department.
“I used to buy a new costume every year,” said Chris Dosch Nadolski another Facebook fan. “Now I find that shopping at the local thrift stores actually is an excellent way to piece something much more comfortable and cuter not to mention cheaper. The Halloween stores are excellent for those 'gotta have' accessories. I even made my husband's Predator costume, which turned out incredible. He won first prize at a few parties! Use your imagination and you will be surprised what you are able to come up with.”
Last year I found a cute race care driver costume at for $10. It was the day after Halloween. That could be an option. Go out the day after Halloween and buy your costume for next year.
Another suggestion is to get together with your friends and trade costumes. Sometimes I like my friends' costumes so much that I ask to borrow them, especially if I have two Halloween parties in one weekend. My 10-year-old niece trades costumes with her cousins some years.
This year I’m going to attempt to make my boyfriend’s costume. I have no idea how to go about it. He doesn’t want to be a race car driver. Boo him! I’m going to need to put on my creative thinking cap on for him.
Below are some links to site with homemade costume ideas. Let me know how it goes!
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