One of the easier DIY projects around: go frugal by making your own unique, fun, cheap Halloween costumes.
We’ve been way too serious around here lately discussing the financial crisis and the upcoming presidential elections with some depth, and I’m quite certain we’ll be returning to those staple topics later on. But for now, I thought to lighten the mood with something more humorous and entertaining. I thought to salute a few Halloween ideas that I thought were cool in many respects — they are fun, custom, cheap and for the most part, unique. But before I proceed, I’d like to tell you how our Halloween plans are turning out so far.
Like all kids under the age of 10, my kids are pretty excited about the impending holiday where they get to wear their costumes in school and around our neighborhood. To save money, we ended up recycling one costume — our younger one is wearing the same thing he wore last year. Since he is going to a different preschool this year, that’s quite alright as nobody has ever seen his outfit before! 
My older son has outgrown whatever we have available and settled for a ninja costume (just like what he wore a few years ago, except bigger).
In the past, we’ve tried to cut costs by looking for recycled kid’s wear. It was hit or miss for us when we looked into some Craigslist selections that turned out to be a poor fit or were too worn to be reusable. In these cases, the time and gas spent to drive to a seller’s home were not worth the savings. But you may still luck out by checking the online classifieds anyway. Or maybe you know someone who’ll just outright give you their old garb?
Another idea is to buy these costumes when they’re on sale. The best ways to save on seasonal purchases is to buy them way before or long after a given event or holiday, when they get discounted.
Nevertheless, by now, you probably already have your costumes picked and ready to wear for goblin day, but if you don’t, then maybe some of the following creations I’ve come across may inspire you to come up with something (hey, even the Mummy costume below could work?):
Costume 1: Mario Brothers
These children are pretty cute in these Mario Brothers costumes. You can probably make up your own custom outfits by:
- getting some caps and pasting on some letters on them (which you can have your children do themselves),
- painting the moustaches on your kids,
- picking up oversized gloves,
- having your kids wear overalls.
Pretty simple! And did I say cute?
Costume 2: Wolverine
Watch out for sharp objects!
I presume that this is an attempt at a Wolverine costume, but I guess he could also be Edward Scissorhands. But to complete the look, he’ll need way more work, better threads and makeup.
It may be an incomplete getup, but he gets points for hitting two characters with one costume. 
For the kid-safe set, you can start out on this look by making some “origami” claws.
Costume 3: Lego Star Wars
At first I had no idea who these people were supposed to be, but then I realized they were modeled after the characters in this video game called “Lego Star Wars, The Complete Saga”, which incidentally is currently ranked in Amazon as their #1 fantasy game for the Wii.
Costume 4: Kid Robots
This comes straight out of some suggestions I made earlier on how to encourage your kids to hone their creativity while going light on your budget with some cheaper toys. This is a perfect DIY project for your own children to try (with your help) and once they’re done, it’ll be something they can be proud of.
According to WTF Costumes, here’s one robot costume that’s so wrong that it works. 
Costume 5: Fancy Paintings
These outfits are just outright cool. They look easy to replicate: create a frame, pad it, cover it with fabric, then wear a gown. You’ll probably also do alright without the frame — I can see how it can be an inconvenience to carry around. In case you’re wondering, these costumes are based on the paintings: Girl With A Pearl Earring by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer van Delft, and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
Costume 6: When In Doubt, Be A Mummy
If you’ve run out of ideas but need to get into a costume quickly, then grab the most convenient thing. Try this look. You’ll only have to go to the bathroom to get the stuff you need.
Okay, your turn. Do you still dress up for Halloween?
Image Credit: For more great photos of weird, wacky, unique, creative, crazy costumes, please check out wtfcostumes!
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That is such a cute picture! I think I’ve just discovered what I’m gonna dress my kids up as on Halloween…
The mummy picture is hilarious! I want to wrap up in toilet paper and be able to do this. This is a great idea. It is just easier to make something.
I think he is supposed to be wolverine, because he sort-of did a wolverine like thing with his facial hair. I think it would have been better if he had used sporks…
@AmeriGlide – yes, maybe sporks would’ve worked better for Mr. Wolverine!
Hmmm….Based on the few comments I’m seeing here, I gather not too many people are dressing up on Halloween?
At places I used to work, there are always gung-ho people who take the day seriously enough and go to work all made up.
One of the more memorable costumes I remember a colleague wearing? A very good friend of mine (and my family’s) wore an M & M outfit. I think it was the yellow one.
LOL!!! The lego costumes are sooo cute! Also, wolverine, what a classic! Happy halloween!
Really amazing and very innovative ideas, i like the fancy costume one.
Happy Halloween! Those costumes look pretty cool!
Really cool ideas, i wish i came across this article before halloween !!
Very clever Halloween costumes and an interesting attempt a Wolverine.
Great ideas! I particularly like the cardboard box robots and Fancy Paintings Halloween costumes. It’s amazing what you can come up with if you use your imagination. All these costume ideas are inexpensive, original and one of a kind! The kind that are sure to win the best costume contest.
I think these photos and ideas are some of the best on the internet. I especially like the Mario Bros. and the Mona Lisa. It shows you don’t have to spend money in order to wear an unforgettable Halloween costume. Kudos on your post!