Petula Clark and Ethel Kennedy

Ah, October — my favorite time of year…autumn colors, cuddly sweaters, all leading up to Free Candy on Halloween!  How do you do Halloween on a budget?  Here are some pix and ideas to show you how to have the best costume without blowing your whole candy budget!

I have been collecting costume elements for years — everybody has something that can translate into a fun or funny character.  Look at the news, tv shows, movies for inspiration.  Dig through your closets, your friends’ closets, and your local thrift shops (do good, and take a tax deduction!).  You can even donate them back at the end.  Brainstorm with friends and family.  Ideas are plentiful, and many need little to no additional money spent.  Here are a few from my past, and a few off the web.

Why, who's the little lady?

You can be just one fruit, or a whole platter!

Kids' and Adults' TV shows can be good inspiration

And then there's that constant source of amusing ideas, the news

Past and current movies are always a great source of characters to portray -- guys love these from The Fifth Element

If you’re not really interested in making your own stuff, or need some help, now is the time to get on line and order.  I’ve found a few spots to check out:

BuyCostumes.com has daily $5 and under specials — they keep changing so check now!

CheapHalloweenCostumes.us — Lots of great buys, and a fabulous selection of both complete costumes and accessories.

I also like Costume SuperCenter, which has deals on shipping and
lots of pre-holiday specials.

For some great looks and ideas from last Halloween, click here.

And before you know it — it’s Christmas!  We’re scouring the market to find you the best items for holiday gift-giving, and the best places for the best prices.  Check back soon!

And this was just one party! So you see, a little imagination can save you big bucks. Now is the time to shop for next year’s costumes. Be creative and have fun! 

Come on back soon for tips on living the good life for less.  Live well and prosper. 

If you’re looking for a last minute costume, and have nothing to work with, I suggest: 

For a man with a good physique and a shaved head:  Dress in all white pants and t-shirt, create puffy white eyebrows with cotton balls, and voila!  Mr Clean!  (I love this one.)

For men or women: Anyone can be a witch or a vampire.  Dress in black, find a cape (most discount stores will still have a few if you don’t have one)  buy or make a witch hat and all the rest is done with makeup. Pasty white faces, red around the eyes and/or dripping from the mouth, black eyes and lips, black nail polish — all stuff that can be found for $1 at any chain drugstore like CVS or Walgreen’s.  

Here’s a few more ideas that might work in a pinch:

 ”Babe Magnet” or “Chick Magnet” — Sew or pin a bunch of small dolls all over an old sweat suit or any solid color, plain outfit.  You can find these in dollar stores.  Let people try to figure out what you are. 

Hippie — Time to drag out (or twist and dye) the old tie-dyes, caftans, overalls and old sneakers.  Wrap a bandana around your head, don a peace sign and sing an old folk song.  You’re done.  

Be a doctor:  If you can borrow a set of scrubs and a stethoscope.  Your mother will be so proud of your new profession. 

Beauty Queen:  all you need is a gown or cocktail dress or one-piece bathing suit and heels, and a sash. Really cute on a guy.

Be a Nerd: You’ll need a pair of loose,  hiked-up high pants, a button down shirt and maybe a cardigan. Part your hair in the middle.  Make it greasy.  Tape the middle of a pair of old glasses. Add a pocket protector and some pens — leaking if you’re using an old shirt.  I hope you get an A.

Another easy one — a spy.  Wear a trench coat, sunglasses and a fedora if you have one.  What you wear underneath is up to you!

With just a little more effort, you can be a pirate.  Wear a bandana on your head, one big gold hoop earring, a billowy white shirt and rolled-up black jeans. Make a sword out of cardboard and tin foil and fit it into your belt. Pin on a skull and crossbones.  

Another really easy one, (but not so easy to identify now that we use microwaves): Wrap your head in a tin foil turban and you’re Jiffy Pop.  Carry a bowl of popcorn to help people figure it out. 

Timely news: If you want to be political — be a hockey mom.  Borrow your kid’s outfit and carry a baby or a toy pitbull with lipstick.

Or you can be a Stock Market chart – Wear all black and then use masking tape to stick erratic zigzags onto your body, pointing down.

You can always be a ghost.  Wear all white, throw an old sheet over you, (Make eyeholes or a bigger one for your head.)  Paint your face with white make-up, spray or baby powder your hair, add a little white or silver glitter, black shadow around your eyes, and you’re ready to go.  Boo.  

By the way, I found a wonderful cosmetics website where EVERYTHING is just $1.00, plus they always have some great promotion or another going on. It’s called e.l.f. COSMETICS; Take a look and stock up for ALL the holidays.

Hope this gave you some good ideas.  Now here’s the best one: Go out tomorrow and stock up on sale costumes and accessories and don’t blame me if you find yourself scrambling again next year.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Tune in tomorrow for pictures of tonight’s costume party.