A unique Halloween disguise will make you stand out in the crowd. Not sure what to wear? Save money and make a creative costume yourself with these one-of-a-kind ideas that won’t cost you an arm or a leg.

Scour your home and find items you can step into — literally. Shoulder straps can secure heavier items like garbage cans, laundry baskets and hampers. You can also cut arm  and head holes in lighter items like trash bags, dry-cleaner bags, dog-food bags and cat-litter bags.
 

• Wrap decorated poster board around an old tin garbage can. Now, you are your favorite beverage. Add a pie-pan “pull tab” on your head, and use garland and streamers as your “fizz.”
• Make a french-fry container. Paint a simple clothes basket and add homemade Styrofoam fries. Don’t forget the ketchup — a red beanie works great!
   
• A dry-cleaning bag filled with colorful balloons makes an instant gumball machine.
• Wear a dog-food bag as a skirt. Fasten stuffed dogs to the hem and nestle a few bones in your hair. Now, you’re a crazy dog walker.

Cardboard boxes have a million uses. Here are two:
 

• Cut a vertical opening in a large box and create a cardboard coffin. Line your coffin with an old sheet and staple an old dress shirt or blouse inside. Stuff filling into a pair of gloves and secure them to the garment’s arms. Arrange the garment arms across the chest. Then, cut a face hole and you can peak your head through. Adorn the box with plastic flowers and cobwebs. 
• A tall, vertical box also makes a great refrigerator. Add a cutout for your face and decorate the interior with soda cans, condiment bottles, baking soda boxes and take-out containers.

Whip up fake blood, wounds and face paint.
 

• Face Paint: Combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon water and 1/4 teaspoon food coloring with 1/2 cup of cold cream.
• Wound: Petroleum jelly makes creepy wound shapes. Fill the wound with 2 or 3 drops of red food coloring and a pinch of cocoa powder.
• Fake Blood: Mix 1 teaspoon red food coloring and 1 squirt of dish soap with 2/3 cup white corn syrup. Just be sure to keep your fake blood away from your mouth and eyes.

Dig through your game closet, garage or discard pile. You might find more reusable costume supplies!
 

• Make a human board–game sandwich — use old board games as bread. Then, pin game pieces, spinners, play money or cards to your clothing.
• Broken umbrellas make an authentic-looking bat or insect wings.
• Old grey or pink sweatsuits serve as a bunny-costume base; you just need ears and a tail.
• Pair an old Hawaiian shirt with shorts, an old straw hat and a fanny pack. Now you’re a tourist. Carry a map and wear a camera around your neck.