Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas

Years ago, when the title of “Mommy” had been freshly bestowed upon me, I entered into the Halloween season a bit giddy and was suddenly looking for inexpensive Halloween costume ideas for babies. I finally had a bouncing, beautiful baby boy who I could dress up in an adorable costume for this festive fall holiday. As October approached that year, I begin my quest to find the perfect Halloween costume for my perfect three month old baby.

Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas For Babies

Then sticker shock hit. Until becoming a mommy, I had no idea that Halloween costumes could be quite so expensive. I figured that although today’s costumes were a bit more elaborate than the plastic drug-store ones of my youth, the prices would be relatively equivalent. Boy was I wrong. S uddenly I felt like I was faced with a decision: Make the car payment that month or buy Jr. a cute Halloween costume (okay, that is a slight exaggeration. But still…costumes can be pricey!) That year (and several since) I  have found our boy cute and relatively inexpensive Halloween costumes. I discovered a touch of creativity and little elbow grease were all I needed to clothe my children in great Halloween attire each year. Below are a few ideas on how you can find inexpensive costumes for your children this Halloween.

Purchase a Costume Kit

Many retailers are selling simple costume kits, consisting of a few necessities to generate a particular costume theme. For example, one can purchase a costume kit that can transform a little boy into a famous cowboy. Simply add jeans and a white shirt from the child’s existing wardrobe and let the trick-or-treating begin!

Go Retro

Consider stepping back in time and dressing children in clothing of past decades. Goodwill Stores and resale shops are excellent places to discover clothing of past generations. Send children out on Halloween dressed as hippies or clad in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. Scouring the racks of such places as Goodwill or Grace Resale Shops also gives money back to charitable causes through purchases made in those stores.

Show Team Spirit

Dress up for Halloween and show some team spirit by using already owned sports wear as a Halloween costume. Transform little ones into “super fans” by dressing them in a team jersey or shirt and painting their face in team colors. Throw on a foam finger for fun and enjoy the evening!

Tap Those Creative Juices

The Internet is full of ideas of how one can make their Halloween costume with  just a bit of creativity and some elbow grease.  Some great resources for such ideas include Family Fun, Parenting Magazine and Martha Stewart.

Purchase Used

Is there a Halloween costume that  is just too adorable to pass up, despite the hefty price tag it bears? Consider purchasing it used. Ebay and CraigsList are both great places to find used costumes at reasonable prices. Also Dallas/Fort Worth boasts a large number of children’s consignment stores which carry Halloween costumes. Taking the time to call around to such stores or hunting the auctions on Ebay might be just the way to nab that perfect costume at a good price. Halloween costumes do not have to cost a pretty penny to look great. With some advance planning and a little research, inexpensive costume ideas  can be found. Happy Halloween!