As the parent who is solely responsible for gathering - and paying for - each detail of your kids' Halloween costumes, you may be tempted to take on more than you can realistically accomplish. Do yourself a favor: Don't! Instead, follow these guidelines for a Halloween event you'll all enjoy, without losing your sleep, your patience, or your sanity.
Choosing Kids' Halloween Costumes
- Think About What's Important to You
We live in the Midwest, where it can be pretty cold by the end of October; so picking out warm costumes is pretty high on my priority list! Additional priorities might be limiting the cost, choosing a costume that maximizes mobility, or avoiding super-gory themes. If you plan to put any constraints on your child's costume selection, make sure you decide that up front.
- Talk With Your Child
Selecting kids' Halloween costumes is a great opportunity for self-expression! Allow your child to select a costume that suits his or her personality. This is part of the fun and creativity of this holiday.
- Determine Your Level of Participation
Making your kids' Halloween costumes by hand can be a lot of fun, but it's also important to consider whether you really have the time and energy right now to commit to making something from scratch. If you don't, make plans to buy a costume. If cost is an issue, check out the Halloween Costume Exchange, visit a local consignment shop, or look for great deals on eBay.
And remember, your children already know how much you love them! You don't have to "prove" it with elaborate homemade costumes, so let go of any unrealistic expectations.Do-it-Yourself Halloween Costumes:
- Brainstorm Ideas
Once you have a general theme in mind, spend some time brainstorming. Even if you're coming up with ideas at the last minute, you have many options to choose from. Use what you already know about your children and what's important to them as a guide.Halloween Costume Ideas:
Adding Accessories
Once you have the main costume in hand, think about the accessories you'll need. Do you need to purchase any special make-up? Does your kids have bags or clean pillow cases for carrying the candy? What about flashlights? Also, do you need to buy an extra turtleneck or pair of long underwear to go underneath your kids' Halloween costumes? And what about shoes? To save a little money, visit a local consignment shop to look for accessories, or ask friends whether you can borrow one or two items to complete the costumes.
Finishing Touches
A few days before Halloween, spend some time helping your children put on their entire costumes. Also, if your kids' Halloween costumes require make-up, take the time to practice putting it on and taking it off at least once. This will make the actual event easier on all of you! You can use the dry run to get a few pictures, too, which will also save you some time on Halloween night.
Halloween Face Painting Tips:
