 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. Step-Ins 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.
Strap-Overs 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.
Paint-Ons 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-Throughs 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.
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