How much do you spend on Halloween costumes for kids?

[ljt2r]

And no answering that you sew them because that is SO not an option here!

(That is what my grandma did when we were kids.)

Anyway, my elder daughter is hitting an age where I want her to get to be involved in choosing her Halloween costume (she turned 4 in June), so I started looking and wowsers I am having one of those I am probably so out of date horrified reactions to the cost of something she will only wear once. Maybe she should have to wear it for 2 years? Maybe I am crazy and $25-$30 is not that much?

Also, aside from used kids' clothes stores and Costco (both of which I am already aware of), where do you recommend shopping for them?

[Terri_A]

I have spent as much as $60. Yes, I know, you can gasp aloud if you'd like, but to find a decent one that is what they want to be can be difficult!

If you can find one for $25 - I'd spend that in a heartbeat!!!

[LaraW]

What does she want to be? I guess I start there and see what I can come up with.

Just because you don't/don't want to sew does not necessarily mean you have to buy a totally pre-made costume. I try to get out for less than $20/kid but we usually make our costumes. You do have a possible option that your younger one will want to wear a costume from a previous year.

ETA: Halloween costumes have also gone into our dress-up box so they do get some use after the fact too.

[TravelingJ]

We just have a box of them that the family has been making for years ( =

But as to locations to look-Party City and Party America both usually have a good selection. Go early. They already have their full inventory out, and the good stuff will sell out fast.

[Beth]

I've made some, but only a couple have involved sewing and only one was a significant effort (a T-rex that got about 5 wearings between the 2 boys). One of the most memorable was a traffic light -- no sewing and not much time to assemble either. I enjoyed the creative ones with the boys, but I might have been a total sucker for spending more on girls' costumes. Good luck.

[Robyncz]

I generally pay between $20 and $30. I dont' feel bad about it because my girls still do a lot of dress-up play, and the costumes always get a lot of post-Halloween wear. DD#2 loved one of her costumes so much that she wore it for 3 years!!! She wanted to wear it again this year, but it was way too small.

I order my girls' costumes online. I've ordered from Lilian Vernon, costumecraze.com and costumesuperstore.com. They generally pick something out in a catologue or online, and then I shop around to find the best total price (including shipping). The range of prices for the exact same costume from different vendors can be quite astounding!

[Kathy B]

We always made them, but I don't sew either unless it is VERY simple (i.e. fixing a button). Family Fun magazine/website always has lots of easy and fun ideas, and I am sure other parenting magazines might as well. Often they start with a pair of sweats (which can be used afterwards) and add a few accessories and/or makeup to complete the outfit.

Family Fun Halloween Costumes

(Scroll down and check out the mermaid costume...very creative.)


One tip that might help for the years ahead....the day after halloween is a GREAT time to scoop up stuff for your dressup box that can be played with all year and used to help with future costumes. Often it can be found for 50-75% off. Try Hobby Lobby as well as Target, Kmart, Walmart, etc... The accessories (crowns, swords, capes, bunny ears, clown shoes, boas) are ridiculously inexpensive on clearance, and they fit for years as opposed to entire costumes.

[avariell]

Kathy B- that is an awesome website. I LOVE this one!!

[Beth]

The traffic light idea came out of one of those or a similar magazine. The body was a silver windshield screen wrapped around to fit. I think there were straps made of duct tape to hold it over the shoulders (doubled sticky sides together so they don't stick to the kid or clothing). The signal lights were made with dessert size paper or plastic (solo) plates and circles of construction paper in red, yellow and green to fit in the center. He wore a black t-shirt and pants underneath. There were several cute ideas in that magazine, but none of the ones in that link sound familiar, so it may have been a different magazine.

I like the Gross-eries idea too.

[leebee]

Second-hand and consignment stores can be a good source, but you need the time to look, sometimes for several days, to find the right costume in the right size.

I found a really cute monarch butterfly costume at a yard sale for DD & spent 50 cents. I'm going to buy her a plastic crown & a black ballet skirt (which she can use for ballet class) so she can be a princess butterfly, which was her idea. A real deal. BUT, I spent considerably more for my son's--he found a pterodactyl that he fell in love with in a catalogue, & I foolishly promised him I'd get it. Well, it was out of stock. I ended up finding it in a more expensive one & had to pay for overnight shipping. It arrived the day before Halloween--and I spent (gulp) $85. Now, the good part of the story is that I had to order it 3 sizes too big & roll the sleeves & legs--and he's in his fourth year of wearing it. It actually fits him this year! So, I figure it worked out. (Lesson learned--NEVER promise anything you don't already have in hand! Other lesson learned--sometimes when they say they love something so much that they'll be happy with it forever, they actually mean it.)

[LaraW]

Originally Posted by Beth

The traffic light idea came out of one of those or a similar magazine. The body was a silver windshield screen wrapped around to fit. I think there were straps made of duct tape to hold it over the shoulders (doubled sticky sides together so they don't stick to the kid or clothing). The signal lights were made with dessert size paper or plastic (solo) plates and circles of construction paper in red, yellow and green to fit in the center. He wore a black t-shirt and pants underneath. There were several cute ideas in that magazine, but none of the ones in that link sound familiar, so it may have been a different magazine.

I like the Gross-eries idea too.

Beth, that is a fabulous idea. DS has expressed ideas in being a number of different things, including a traffic light. I had no idea how to make it happen though, and I was imagining something very complicated involving a cardboard box and a battery pack. Other ideas of his have included a bottle of mustard, a stop sign and a quesedilla.

[avariell]

Laura, that used toy store (mind cramp - something child? ) you and mom frequent up here always has Halloween costumes. I don't know if it'll work for this year, but you could always plan ahead and check them out. I saw a lady shopping with her kids for (I assume) Halloween costumes at the end of August.

[ljt2r]

Originally Posted by avariell

Laura, that used toy store (mind cramp - something child? ) you and mom frequent up here always has Halloween costumes. I don't know if it'll work for this year, but you could always plan ahead and check them out. I saw a lady shopping with her kids for (I assume) Halloween costumes at the end of August.

Once Upon A Child

Yes I think the key phrase used somewhere above was being organized and having time to look. Really when I started this thread it was not about my own horror, as you probably guessed, but rather paving the way for DH's horrified reaction. We have decided that if the outfit will translate into dress up clothes, up to $30 is ok.

Robyncz--how much do you usually pay for S&H?

PS I asked my in a very girlie phase elder daughter (4 YO) what she wanted to be last night, and she shouted... "BAT!" Now a moment later she started shouting princess, fairy, cat, and a whole lot more, but I was still rather amused.

[avariell]

FWIW, You definitely don't need to buy anything to be a cat. That one is super easy with stuff you have around the house.

[ljt2r]

Originally Posted by avariell

FWIW, You definitely don't need to buy anything to be a cat. That one is super easy with stuff you have around the house.

At Alex's age (and gender) I don't think it is about who has the most realistic/creative costume, I believe it is who has the most frills. I remember the look on her face last year when she saw girls dressed up with tutus/skirts, etc (she was a monkey) and so I think this year I will steer her toward the ballet-centric costumes. It will make her happiest and get the most re-wear later.

[avariell]

Sam can go as Snow White since she's gettin that for her birthday

[ljt2r]

Originally Posted by avariell

Sam can go as Snow White since she's gettin that for her birthday

OK I am calling you about this issue....

[Beth]

Target has dance/fairy princess type costumes in their toy section year round -- if the girls are in the right size category.

I found these in a quick search, but I'm not sure they are the same as in the store. One plays music when they move and the other lights up with motion. The light up one could be good for Halloween and certainly amps up the frill factor. The music could drive you nuts before Christmas. You can find tiaras at any dollar store, party store, etc.

Lara, glad the traffic light info helped -- we had one of those screens we didn't use much and sacrificed it. We had considered a box and foil or spray paint, but the screen was so easy. People still talk about the time he was a traffic light. Some folks got it right away and others would ask him what he was. The reactions were priceless. I laughed out loud while on the phone with DH when I read quesadilla. That could be fun and simple. We have neighbors who bought ketchup and mustard bottle costumes. M&M's and candy bars seem to make a regular appearance -- and the occasional Hershey's kiss.

I don't know if we will be home on Halloween. There is a marching contest out of town, but the youngest has an audition here. It may be too far to drive up for the rest of the day. If we stay home, we'd better get some cute trick or treaters. Last year was very sad.

[Beth]

Originally Posted by ljt2r

OK I am calling you about this issue....

LOL, sisters!

[LaraW]

Originally Posted by Beth

I laughed out loud while on the phone with DH when I read quesadilla. That could be fun and simple. We have neighbors who bought ketchup and mustard bottle costumes.

When I asked him how to make a quesedilla costume, he said "put a tortilla on my head and on my feet, and cheese on my tummy!" Duh, mom

I was in Pittsburgh about a year ago and found a Heinz Ketchup t-shirt that I bought for DD. Well, she has expressed no interest in wearing it and so I thought it would make a good costume with red sweatpants and a white hat.

[avariell]

Originally Posted by Beth

LOL, sisters!

topic discussed (sam may or may not wear her birthday present for halloween... to be continued)

Originally Posted by LaraW

When I asked him how to make a quesedilla costume, he said "put a tortilla on my head and on my feet, and cheese on my tummy!" Duh, mom

I would literally fall in love if he showed up on my doorstep. That is BRILLIANT

[DanaSD]

My son really wants to be bumble the transformer and there's really only 2 versions on the market and they're both not great (for my standards) but its what he wants so we got it for him. Party City had a $10 off coupon they sent us in the mail so we only paid about $20 for the 'deluxe' version. Costco also had them but sold out quickly. And there's no way I could make a transformer costume.

Around here there's a used halloween costume swap - I think if you donate a costume you get credit towards your new costume. Also a lot of the kids resale shops have costumes.

When I was a kid I always made my costumes - lady bug, playboy bunny (can't believe my mom allowed that one and I didn't really know what it was), clown, etc.

My son gets a lot of use out of his costumes because he does dress up play with them after halloween - he still often wears last years knight costumes and since we're having a knight themed birthday party he'll wear it for that.

[hollysmom]

We just use a lot of the dressup costumes that have accumulated and spend maybe $10 on accessories. THe thrift stores are showing lots of Halloween costumes and always are a great source for old/vintage clothing.

SSM

[ljt2r]

Well Sammy is vacillating in typical 3 YO fashion between monkey (hand me down, covered), Snow White (she thinks the store was out of her size, would be gift from Aunt Josie so covered as well), and witch. The witch one is her being difficult. BC she decided that after we left the store. But my mom is certain we could put it together.

Alex (DD#1) got the most precious monarch butterfly costume and I for one feel it was worth every penny. And because she is tall, we got the 6-8, so she may save it for next year instead of playing with it. Not sure.

OY why are so many of the little girl costumes sexual? BLECH.

[Terri_A]

Originally Posted by ljt2r

OY why are so many of the little girl costumes sexual? BLECH.

Yep, it sucks. The weeone is going to be a vampire and finding one in her size (she's tall for her age) that WASN'T trashy was a difficult task!

[ljt2r]

Originally Posted by Terri_A

Yep, it sucks. The weeone is going to be a vampire and finding one in her size (she's tall for her age) that WASN'T trashy was a difficult task!

Oh yeah Alex looked at a vampire 2x and both times I squashed it fast. And there were so many cute witches online but most in the store were skanky. Why would any kid 10 or younger need to wear fishnets?

[avariell]

Laura - I have butterfly wings - want to borrow them so you can be a butterfly while you take them trick or treating?

[Blissful_in_TX]

Chiming in late......maybe DS just isn't picky, but I always buy something that I can get for a steal off ebay OR consignment sales (school related, JBF, etc) OR I always hit after-Halloween sales (a costume store in town, Target, etc) and shop for the next year. Heck, even DD's princess costume for this year I got for $2 at Old Navy a couple years back. Luckily DS has never complained b/c I get things I'm pretty sure he'll like, and so far he's been excited once he sees me pull them out. Even if it was a dud, I have something to throw in the dress-up box that only set me back a few dollars.

Another idea for girls is to learn how to make a simple no-sew tutu using rolls of tulle. Do a search on ebay for "tutu costume" and there are tons of ideas. Something like this PBK ladybug would be soooo easy:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/produ...oween-costumes

Of course you have to be careful b/c when you start piece-milling things together, it could cost well more than an equivalent store version!.....says my friend who spent $70 trying to recreate a Chasing Fireflies costume for her DD (which she probably could have sold on ebay for a decent amount if she would have bought the original )

[ljt2r]

Originally Posted by avariell

Laura - I have butterfly wings - want to borrow them so you can be a butterfly while you take them trick or treating?

Maybe, sure.

[Beth]

Originally Posted by LaraW

When I asked him how to make a quesedilla costume, he said "put a tortilla on my head and on my feet, and cheese on my tummy!" Duh, mom

I would have made a large white or off white circle of felt and folded it over him with his head coming out the top and put some cheese colored fabric along the side, sticking out in a few places. My son would have to add refried black beans.