Working with Crafters 4 Kids keeps me aware of the vast number of families that struggle through each and every holiday. It’s not a surprise that when Halloween comes along, kids expect to go to the store and get a brand new costume. Unfortunately, the store bought costumes (as you very well know) are getting ridiculously expensive each year! If you have one child, the cost might not be excessive; however families with several children are facing a hefty bill, with the average cost of a costume ranging from $10 to $30 – even at Wal-mart and Target!
Save yourself that enormous bill by getting creative and involving your kids. This year, tell them that you are going to help them make the most fabulous costumes on the block (and keep the fact that you will save a ton of money a big secret!).
One way to save some money on costumes is to check out the Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other thrift stores in your area. You need to get to these stores early in the season, because their holiday racks sell rapidly. Some people think that if they wait until last minute, they will get a better deal. On the downside, these items won’t decrease in cost until after the holiday is over, so it’s best to get in on the deals (and the selection) as early as possible.
Your little girl may want to be a sparkly fairy princess (don’t they all?). Just find a beautiful dress of her choice in the girl’s section of the thrift store (for approximately $1-$3) and add some gems, beads and glitter to the dress to adorn it.
A young pirate suit for your son can be designed with a white shirt, black vest, and a pair of black pants. Some black eyeliner can create the mustache and fluffy eyebrows. If you want to add some finishing touches, look in the scarf and belt area of the store – these items are usually less than a dollar.
If you find partial costumes, you can get creative and make the missing parts with simple craft items.
Cardboard from boxes (with some help from some magic markers) can be easily turned into really cool swords for pirates. The eye patch can easily be made with a circle of cardboard. Cut halfway into the circle and overlap the cut pieces to make the eye patch concave, rather than flat, and then glue it together. Attach some elastic to the eye patch and you now have a pirate.
Fairy princesses can use cardboard, too. Bend the cardboard into a crown shape, tape it together, and add some paint and glittery glue to create an embellished tiara for a princess. A sparkly wand for your fairy tale princess can be created with the same craft supplies.
Take your kids to the thrift store with you and let their imaginations run wild. You’d be amazed at what they come up with on their own!
About the Author:
Sandy Sandler is founder of non-profit Crafters 4 Kids and creator of the QVC best-seller, the Bowdabra. Her frugal craft projects and activity ideas are designed to transform the creatively-challenged into creative pros. Sandy’s focus is on creative and easy projects that parents can do with their kids and that kids can even do on their own that are both frugal and green in nature. Crafters 4 Kids focuses on projects that can be done under 5 minutes and under $5. Visit www.C4K555.org. Contact Sandy at jaimevivre@mac.com
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