Halloween Costumes - Some Cost Effective Ideas

Once upon a time, cutting holes in white sheets sufficed as halloween costumes for kids. Nowadays, interests have gone far beyond the ghost and goblin night into a whole rainbow of possibilities. Superheroes, fairy princesses and infinite guises from current pop culture can make children dizzy enough - let alone the parents who have to actually purchase the costume of choice. However, as intricate details of halloween increase, there are ways to keep both child and parent happy on what should be a wonderful night.

Fairies and Princesses

What else could a little girl want than to be a fairy or a princess? Or both - a fairy princess. Let's begin first with princesses. Just like a miniature prom, the dress IS everything. If the little girl doesn't feel the dress up to par then she isn't going to feel the role of princess. Sure, you could go out, buy one of those dressup costumes that any store with toys has in the girls toy section, buy a beautiful tiara, elegant shoes and even a scepter to finish the ensemble. But some of the accessories to the dress (on average I've found the dresses cost around $20 USD) are a tad extreme for so little a material. However, there are alternatives to the accessories that cost a great deal less.

Jewelry can be bought at any dollar store. Sure it may not look a million dollars, but that's where fantasy kicks in. Most of these stores sell toy tiaras, dress up shoes and even scepters for no more than $2. Often times, as with every costume I will mention, the toys are likely the same quality (sometimes even better - from personal experience) as the more costly counterparts. True, some accessories may be an obvious lesser quality such as wands and scepters, but most are made so that they can bend a little. Any more expensive brand ones seem to be just sturdy and easily broken if hit against something too hard. As early as September 1st, most dollar stores sell less costly costumes, too, which is always an alternative. They are brand name - but not as elegant as ones you'd find in toy stores. Some may seem downright too thin for the season or even too costly still for so little material.

What if your little princess desires wings? Recently, I went shopping and discovered a pair of wings that cost almost $20. I thought this was insane- especially for a brand name that was supposedly 'on sale'. I didn't dare look at the actual price, though. The sale was enough to send me running. While dollar stores and other discount stores items may be less qualitywise, with a little craft expertise, they can be just as good if not better than store ones. It's all about imagination. Sometimes the armbands to the wings don't fit exactly right - being rather loose. This is easily solved with safety pins or, if you've got a sewing machine, you can sew them to size.

Cowboys and Cowgirls

What little boy at one time or another doesn't dream of being a sheriff or a wild and carefree cowboy out on the range? Sure, you can go out and buy a complete cowboy outfit at a store, or you can improvise with a little of what you've got, some creativity and a lot of fun. Every boy has at least one pair of blue jeans and hopefully one long sleeved button-up shirt. That, right there, can save any parent a lot of cash. Now, cowboy boots can be bought at a western apparel or even a leather store, however, sometimes the price is a little steep. However, comfort is most important and that is brutally important for walking around to gather candy.

Toy badges can be made by cutting out a star shape from felt, or even purchased in a toy store. Sometimes, dollar stores sell them in the play area, along with pretend guns and sometimes even holsters. Each store varies, so if you have more than one store, better shop around first. What I have seen in each dollar store in my little area in Western New York are cowboy hats. In a variety of colors, even your little girl can go as a cowgirl if she wants with bright pinks and purples to dark brown and black hats. With a little imagination and some glue, you can make a unique cowboy hat sure to please even the pickiest of children. Not only does it save money, but, the child is also given a wonderful parent-child activity to do with making a unique hat they will definitely be proud to wear.

Bolos may be a little hard to find, however, not every cowboy needs or has a bolo. However, bandanas generally run for less than a dollar a piece at stores such as Walmart. They, too, come in a variety of styles and shades, so your little one could even convert themself into an evil villian about to rob the stage. Simply tie it loosely around the neck (so your child doesn't choke, obviously) and lift it up over mouth and nose. However, parents should always be cautious of anything going over the mouth and nose of their child.

While these are only four small ideas, there are an infinite number of possibilities depending on where you live and what is available in a store. My best suggestion would be to get out early for a good selection and let your children's imagination take flight. And always remember: safety first when coming up with any costume ideas. After all, Halloween should be as safe as possible without sacrificing any of the fun that comes along with it.