Last Minute Halloween Costumes for Children

When my children were young we lived in a small mountain village where holiday celebrations were faithfully kept by the community. One of those traditions involved the annual Halloween carnival, which included the eagerly anticipated costume contest. Unfortunately for my children, I was not one of those good parents, who were feverishly determined to find the year's most unique and memorable costume. I knew those parents, and each year we wondered how their kids would be costumed for the contest.

In spite of my last minute approach to costumes, my children managed to hold their own on Halloween night. This was accomplished not by picking up a pre-made costume at the variety store (something I never did), but by last minute, homemade ingenuity.

Sadly, my daughter (now well into her twenties) can still recall the time I dressed her as Princess Jasmine, from Disney's Aladdin, and her costume started falling apart as we made our way around my sister's neighborhood. That particular costume was not my finest Halloween hour. While Jasmine may have been a dismal failure, we have had great Halloween costumes, for both adult and child, that were thrown together at the last minute and deemed a success.

Perhaps my daughter can forgive me Jasmine, if she will only recall Pippi Longstocking. If your daughter has very long hair, Pippi makes an excellent last minute Halloween costume. Pippi's trademark looks are her braids, which stick out to each side of her face. The way to accomplish that look is to unwind a wire coat hanger, and have it extend from right to left, as you secure a braid around each half of the wire. Add a few freckles, and dress in denims or overalls, with colorful socks and a shirt, and the costume is complete. That year, my daughter won a ribbon for funniest costume, as Pippi Longstocking.

My favorite last minute costume will have to be the one my husband threw together, just minutes before we were suppose to leave for a Halloween party. He happens to be a Mash fan, and decided to go as Hawkeye. All that was needed was his robe, some boots, and a cowboy hat. With martini glass in hand, it was perhaps the most comfortable costume at the party.

When you dress your children up for Halloween, consider safety and comfort. I remember those over zealous parents at the long ago Halloween carnival. Many of the hyper-imaginative costumes gave the children little if any room for movement. It was the parents' egos that inspired many of the costumes. Face makeup, as opposed to a mask is often a safer choice, as it does not hamper the child's vision. Makeup may be a bit messier, yet children often prefer makeup over a mask.

Consider the activities your child will be engaged in before deciding on a costume. Dressing for an indoor party will be much different than trick-or-treating in the neighborhood on a frosty evening. Dark clothes might be fine for the Halloween party, but dangerous when walking outside at dusk.

With a little imagination and resourcefulness, it is amazing what type of Halloween costume you can put together, even at the last minute.