In a perfect world our family’s Halloween costumes would be coordinated, home-made from things we already had lying around, and, no one would complain about being itchy. But it’s not a perfect world and I have learned that it’s better to go imperfectly rather than ruin the fun by trying to make them perfect.
If you find yourself in need of a last minute costume idea, here are some easy ideas that are actually easy. No 10 “simple” steps that take hours just to read.
-Check the closet: First thing’s first, try looking at your kid’s closet with fresh eyes. If you pair a solid color top with the same solid colored bottom and add any sort of animal ears, tail, or a combo – now you’ve got any color of any animal. We used this to make a “pink kitty” years ago and a “black cat” last year. A buffalo check shirt and jeans can easily be a lumberjack, hipster, or the Brawny man – it all depends on your styling! Camouflage, team colors, or sports team jerseys also make easy ‘costumes.’
-Try the toys: Another option is to start with the accessories you have around the house and build a costume from there. Tools, microphones, musical instruments, baby dolls – by focusing on the prop, you can build some costume buy-in with your child by letting their current obsession take center stage. Your kid can’t put down the cars – mechanic, car salesmen, or professional athletes feel you on that. Still getting your mileage from that play kitchen? Chef, baker, barista, or butcher would be a smart solution. Up to your eyeballs in stuffed animals? Veterinarian, zoo keeper, cat lady, or ‘raining cats and dogs’ make a purrfectly clever costume.
-Borrow: Use social media to your advantage and do a quick look-up of your friend group from last year. Who has kids about a year ahead of yours and what did they go as last year? Shoot them a text – chances are they’ll be thrilled to share the love and get more mileage for their money. If you’ve got most of a costume but are on the hunt for the perfect ruby red slippers or Elvis wig – don’t be afraid to put it out there on your own profile – you never know who has what at the bottom of their dress-up box.
There are two other thoughts I want to leave you with –
-Don’t dress up. Look, I know we feel pressure to make all the memories and do all the cute things but here’s the truth sister – we get to make our own traditions. There is no law requiring you to dress up. You can turn the lights off and get your “Hocus Pocus” on: no one is requiring you to dress up, trick or treat, or give out candy. Maybe it’s not your thing, maybe it doesn’t work for your family, or maybe you’re just too tired – you don’t owe Halloween an explanation.
-Buy the dang costume. Sometimes what we all need the most in life is the path of least resistance. And sometimes that means you overpay for a polyester princess/superhero you know very well isn’t going to make it to the last house. I hope you can find a little freedom in that choice as well – no shame in that Target game, sister!
Whether you are so harried it’s scary or so put together it’s spooky, I hope you and your people have a great close-out of October!
