Homemade Halloween
How to have fun, save a few bucks and get in touch with your inner ghoul
By Erin Loomis 10/28/2009
Remember being a kid on Halloween? Think back to a time before pub-crawls, pumpkin martinis and trying to walk the fine line between getting in touch with your inner harlot and being a frostbitten tramp. Those were simpler times — times when the only hangover you’d have come Nov. 1 was coming out of a sugar coma and all of your costume ideas weren’t automatically prefaced with the word “sexy.”
Things weren’t so different back then — you wanted to look awesome, have fun and get a little scared on All Hallowed Eve. Not to mention that wearing a sweater over your carefully constructed costume was terminally uncool despite the fall temperatures.
Just like back in the day, getting a costume together can be absurdly time-consuming, very expensive or, gasp, both. In order to save on the time factor and reduce stress levels, many hopeful ghosties venture into the land of “store-bought.” This land of commercial Halloween novelties is indeed a scary place, where the difference between Harry Potter, Snow White and a police officer ensemble is just the color of the thigh-high stockings that are not included in the hefty package price.
This year, make yourself something to wear to all those Halloween parties. You do not have to spend tons of cash or be a crafty genius to come up with a great costume. All you need is a little bit of time, inspiration and a lot of duct tape to have people rolling on the floor in terror and jealousy. Who knows? You may meet a boy or ghoul who enjoys your creativity and imagination.
Just remember to relax, think creepy thoughts and have fun.
Ghost
This one is as simple as it is fun and great if you have to dash from work to your festive gathering — simply throw the costume over whatever you are wearing.
Find a sheet. Cut eyeholes — large enough to see out of, please. Maybe draw a wiggly ghost mouth with a permanent marker. Remember: the key word is fun.
Here’s a fun twist to that old idea. Use patterned sheets. Or glam it up by being a leopard print ghost with a glitter-glue mouth in hot pink heels. The possibilities are damn near endless.
Super hero
Forget bats and spiders! Inventing your own super-person is both cost-effective and highly entertaining. Try basing your new alter ego around an interesting household item like a rubber duck or oversized spatula.
Pick a cape — any cape. Tablecloths, bath towels, tea towels, space blankets, anything floppy will work. Attach around neck by tying, or pin to selected superhero top.
For the top, long-sleeved shirts are great. Layering works well for superhero bottoms. Try a pair of leggings with shorts on top or wearing underpants over your pants. If you really feel the need to tramp it up, a bathing suit over tights is an excellent superhero look.
If you have boots, rock ’em. Rain boots make especially great superhero footwear. If you don’t have boots, try sneakers with tube socks or fuzzy animal slippers.
Duct tape is great for special touches, like your super initials, or stripes, and also for attaching props to your belt.
Scary dead monster thing
An anonymous gross creature from a desert, lagoon or shallow grave is always a crowd- pleaser. Cheap-o make-up kits from the drug store can really help this one sing.
Pick an outfit you don’t love anymore. Really don’t love. Choosing a theme may help here. You might become a former supermarket employee, businessperson, French mime or sci-fi enthusiast.
Take some scissors and cut some holes and fringy bits everywhere. Make the outfit look like it’s been dragged behind a car for a while. If you want to be risqué, place these holes strategically to showcase your favorite areas.
Glue or pin on some nifty touches like leaves, scraps of fabric, or pretend body parts, whatever floats your boat.
Toilet paper is always a welcome addition. Put it on and douse or dribble yourself with fake blood or green goo. To top it off you can tease your hair and put on lots of smeary black eyeliner or paint your face.
Now stagger and moan your way to the costume contest award.
The nostalgia special
Another option is to recreate a costume from your childhood. You may not have your mom around to make you an Ewok suit, but brown sweat suits are readily available. Just wear the hood up and act surly if people don’t understand your creative vision. After all, Halloween is the perfect time of year to be in touch with your inner child — and children can be pretty cranky.
No matter what you decide to be this Halloween, try to enjoy yourself.
Making your costume should not feel like going to the dentist; just take it easy on the candy corn or you might end up there.
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