Props, Makeup Create Clever, Creepy Halloween Costumes

One thing I love about the Halloween holiday is the opportunity to scare people, because quite honestly, it is just so darn funny. Over the years I have donned a long black robe or cape and some creepy mask, which amazingly can still scare people in this day and age of scary movies, such as Saw 1 through 4 (and now, soon-to-be 5). There are even some of the scariest people just being themselves, which can work also. What's easier than throwing on some overalls and a dirty pillowcase over your head, cutting out some eye holes, gathering it around your neck with a loosely tied rope, and cranking up the chainsaw? Now, if this were walking down the street toward me, I would more than likely quickly go the other way. Doing absolutely nothing can creep me out beyond words, such as the time when some guy dressed as Michael Myers walked into a bar I was at and found a corner where he just stood. This guy never even twitched as he just stood there and stared in one direction. Unfortunately that direction was mine and I was getting quite spooked by the whole thing, so much so that I had to leave.

In keeping with doing the least to get the biggest effect, I've come up with an idea that just may work without having to worry about a lot of props or makeup. Seems to me that inanimate objects that can "get you" can be just as scary as some freak with blood running down his face. I also believe that thanks to lots of blooper shows, we are familiar with the usual such as a guy dressed as a scarecrow sitting still on your front porch and then leaps out at you at the last minute. Even someone just jumping out from behind a tree in a scary costume can do the trick. Here's what I've come up with that's a little different and that you can do anywhere you like. If you're staying home to scare the neighborhood kids with antics, then this is perfect. You can also do this at a party if you just plan to be the first one there and set yourself up outside to greet/scare the rest of the guests.

Wouldn't it be funny is you were disguised as a bush, which could also allow you to incorporate a chair for sitting in, and as your guests or trick-or-treaters head to the front door, maybe you grab them or even send something flying out at them. They are really not going to be expecting something like this. What you can do is start with a cheap shirt and pants or even a leotard/tights, which would work better, and then decide how you want to do the leaves. You can either do all fake branches which is not a very expensive way to do this. For example, you can purchase 5 14" wide palm fronds for about $6 in green or 6 natural dried ones for $4 at save-on-crafts.com. If you live out in the drier west, you could get away with the dried tan palms and go for the green in the eastern and southern states. Since the festivities don't usually start until after dark, you don't have to worry about being perfect with your placement. The easiest way to attach these to you body is with some duck tape to keep them in place.

You could also visit your local flea market for cheap fake plants that you can cut up to use or maybe even some real branches from a tree in your own yard that needs major pruning. Add a few fake or real flowers in case you choose a flowering variety so as to look as authentic as possible Another thought, especially if you're in the right neck of the woods, would be to cut off the back half of a Christmas tree and use those branches to fill in the rest of it so no one can see you behind it. Just make sure whatever clothes you wear blend in with whatever tree item you choose.

Now for the fun part: scaring people. The always popular and never fail scare is to just stay as still as possible until someone comes upon you. If you're bush on the ground, then grab their ankles. If you're doing more of a tree thing, then the tree can jump out and grab them. In either form, you can always get a back of those fake rubber snakes and fling them out of the bush/tree at the victims. What you may want to do for the smaller kids is to have a couple cans of silly string at the ready to squirt them with which hopefully won't end their trick or treating days on the spot. You could also attach a big rat to the end of a pole and when people walk by, jam that out from the bottom of your bush or tree. That should get them running. Using the same principle, how about a large black crow that comes flying out at people when they pass your tree. A bat would even be better if you ask me. Finally, one other thing you can do is to make a creepy sounding tape. Come up with some things a ghostly tree might say or warn your passers-by of the impending danger of nearing the front door. There are so many ways to get creative with this idea.

Just remember to have fun and that the element of surprise is what usually scares us the most. What they don't expect can scare them beyond any obvious and most monsters on Halloween are just too obvious anymore. The unseen and unknown is what gets me the most.