Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/173907
Get thrifty this Halloween Kids' costumes don't have to break the bank By TIFFANY DOERR GUERZON poodle skirt? What about Grandpa's old bowler hat? Teens can raid a parent's or even a grandparent's attic for old clothes and dress as a teen from decades past. H alloween is just around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about costumes. Kids' costumes can cost a lot of money, especially if you buy a specialty or character costume. For something that will be worn once or twice — and probably smeared with chocolate — that's too much! With a little planning, your kids can dress well with little cost. Here are a few ideas: Get creative Create a costume from dollar and thrift store finds. Crown your daughter as a fairy princess with a fancy dress from the thrift store plus a tiara and scepter from a dollar store. Or your son could be the Incredible Hulk by wearing torn-up thrift store clothes, green face make up, and spray-on hair color. Dollar stores are also a great source for accessories. Start with a pirate's sword or great hat and use that as a jumping off point to creating a unique costume. To sew or not to sew Buy used If you want to buy, try consignment, thrift shops or online sites such as eBay or Craig's List first. You can find used or even new costumes for much less. Use what you have Look around the house. Try a sport's theme with an old karate or baseball uniform. Or last year's dance recital costume can be recycled for Halloween. A gypsy costume can be put together out of scarves plus lots of mom's make-up and jewelry. Does Grandma still have her 26 Hudson Valley Parent n October 2013 Don't forget that the most important ingredient for a great Halloween costume is imagination. Get older kids involved in the process; they will be more pleased with their costume if they helped to create it. You can sew beautiful costumes from patterns, but with the cost of material, it isn't the most frugal option. Felt by the yard can become the base of many costumes. Plus, it's inexpensive and requires no hemming! Buy a length; fold in half and cut a half circle for a neck hole in the center. Trim or fold the sides in to fit the child. Put over the head like a tunic and cut a jagged edge at the bottom. Try green for Robin Hood or black for a pirate costume. Tie another piece of felt around the waist for a belt, preferably in a contrasting color. Then slide your dollar store dagger or sword underneath the belt in the front. Or try a longer length of felt in red or purple