Many store-bought Halloween costumes for adults, children and babies are mass produced and trendy, uncomfortable, and show little imagination while putting a real bite in the pocketbook. Homemade Halloween costumes can offer a way to save money, provide a costume to fit special needs and sizes, and open up endless possibilities for themes while encouraging family members to be actively involved in the process.
Homemade Costumes Have Endless Possibilities
People who make their own costumes enjoy a much wider selection for themes. Favorite movies, Bible characters, children’s story books, sports figures, and even foods, animals, or objects can serve as inspiration. This can provide an opportunity to teach children about people and places or television shows from years past. The whole family can become involved in helping to pick a theme and for offering design ideas. From a single spider with Miss Muffet to seven dwarfs with Snow White, family themes can delight others and provide great photo opportunities to share for years to come.
Many websites offer pictures of costumes, and some offer free costume patterns for those who are not ready to tackle their own designs. The photos of costumes attached to this article were all hand-made and hand-designed using simple sewing techniques.
Homemade Halloween Costumes Can be Free or Inexpensive
Making Halloween costumes can save money, which is quite helpful to those who are experiencing a money crunch. Pre-made costumes may cost $10 to $100 or more, depending on the style and accessories. Making a costume can be used as an opportunity to teach children that fun times do not have to cost a lot of money. By using supplies around the house, a handmade costume can be free. Examples of money-saving ideas may include:
- Purchasing material is usually less expensive than buying a pre-made costume. Outgrown clothing or cheap consignment finds may be used for materials or can be re-worked into a different size or serve as a template for a pattern.
- Relatives or friends with a talent for design or sewing may be quite pleased to share expertise or supplies or both.
- Many accessories are only as far away as the nearest jewelry box or closet, and many of those earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and neckties have delightful story opportunities for sharing with the kids as well.
A unique hand-made costume might also generate money. Something unusual and interesting might have the edge in a costume contest. Many counties have local fairs with sewing categories offering cash prizes.
Handmade Costumes Can Save Time
Those who are looking for quick last-minute Halloween costume ideas can often save themselves a trip to the store by walking around the house. This can also eliminate the frustration of looking from store to store for the perfect costume that is not available in the perfect size. The bedsheet ghost, purple balloon grapes, or the chip clip and towel superhero often have just as much or more fun than the ones who are wearing store-bought costumes.
Homemade Halloween Costumes May be More Comfortable and Safer
People with sensory processing disorder or who are very sensitive to certain materials and tags may particularly enjoy a costume made at home. The costume will be free of tags and can be specially designed with comfortable materials that will enable the child to enjoy the holiday much more than she might if wearing an itchy costume that might be removed within the first fifteen minutes of wear. Parents can often anticipate problems with certain designs, and making one’s own costumes can provide safer alternatives.
Making Halloween Costumes Makes Great Memories for LessMany children and adults love to dress up for Halloween. Handmade costumes can provide great teaching opportunities and encourage active imagination in the entire family while providing a more cost effective way to celebrate. Readers who are preparing for Halloween may also wish to read about providing Halloween treats for children with special needs. People interested in Halloween-related education might enjoy reading about fun Halloween counting books that offer interesting October themes and great teaching tools about bats. Looking to save more money? Read quick and easy tips to save money while grocery shopping and learn how to plan a successful yard sale.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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