Thrifty Halloween Costumes

Believe it or not, but Halloween is not that far away. That means, of course, it's time to start thinking about costumes. Expensive costumes that you find in stores can be quite fun, but if you're willing to be a little more original, there are other sources. You can create a costume from things you already own or can find at a thrift store for cheap.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is selecting clothes you will not mind ruining. If you get makeup or fake blood on the clothing it may not wash off. The upside of this is all you really need for a costume is an outfit, makeup, and/or fake blood.

Try locating a dress or housecoat that an older woman might have worn a few decades ago. If you want to dress as a guy, try finding overalls. Add accessories like shoes, a little makeup to make you look pasty, and maybe some blood and you've got your Halloween costume - a housewife or farmer that died in some sort of accident and has been haunting the neighborhood ever since.

If you can find a formal dress or suit for cheap, snap it up. These are the bases of great Halloween costumes - a kid that died on prom night. Be original with how they died - poisoning, hanging, gun shot, etc.

A cheap suit and tie can serve other purposes. One option for a Halloween costume is a mortician. At any parties you're going to, size up the guests - how much cosmetic work they'll need, etc. Talk about "your work" a lot. Even better, occasionally whip out a measuring tape and measure someone's length and width. The other option here is a missionary. (Try being generic to avoid offending anyone). Many missionaries are great people, but haven't we all run into the occasional one who won't give it a rest? If you circulate a Halloween party as one of those that talks too much, you will definitely leave an impression.

Medical scrubs (or sweatpants and a shirt that resemble scrubs) can be made into great Halloween costumes too. Scrubs can sometimes be found at WalMart. You could be a dentist who takes oral hygiene too far (anyone remember the film The Dentist?). Other options include a doctor or nurse murdered by a member of the medical staff, or one whose patients keep "disappearing". There are several opportunities to be creative with this one.

Lastly, if you're not feeling too creative with your Halloween costume, go for some grubby old jeans and a shirt. Add a little makeup and blood and you're a modern zombie. Or, skip the makeup and blood. Take a cue from Wednesday Adams in the Adams Family movie. You're a homicidal maniac - they look like everyone else.