You can find a large variety of Halloween costumes available at
stores in your neighborhood. However, when you consider the cost
and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and
oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve
your children in creating the homemade costumes, the results
will be worth more than any store-bought costume in any store.

Here are some inexpensive, homemade Halloween costume ideas
that will cost little money and show lots of imagination.

Scarecrow: An over-sized flannel shirt, some straw, and faded
jeans with patches will make a great scarecrow. Stuff the jeans
and shirt with plastic grocery bags and leave a little straw
hanging out of the shirt and jeans. A little makeup will
complete your scarecrow costume.

Ghost: Ghosts are an old stand-by that never goes out of style.
Use an old white sheet with holes cut for the eyes and sew a
simple treat bag out of a scrap of material or a worn out
pillow case. You can dress your ghost up a bit by making lips
out of red lipstick and a few false eyelashes. Or you could
color a beard and moustache with markers. You may want to
create a colorful ghost by using a sheet covered with polka
dots or one that is brightly colored.

Clown: You can create a great clown with sweat clothes that are
a bit to large decorated with fabric paint or markers. Sew on
some pom poms, use an inexpensive wig with a large, colorful
hat, and you could even stuff the clothing with tissue
(although the tissue will be a problem if the need for a
restroom break arises).

Hippy: You can become a hippy from the 1960s with a tie-dye
shirt and faded jeans with holes in the knees. Combine this
with a headband, a ponytail wig, and a jacket or vest covered
in fringe and you will have the most authentic looking hippy
costume of all time.

Nerd: Halloween is the time to dress like something completely
out of character. You can dress your child as a typical nerd,
complete with white shirt, pocket protectors, pants that are
too short, horn-rimmed glasses, while socks and black dress
shoes. Don't forget to tape one corner of the glasses for a
true nerd appearance. Make sure you use plenty of hair gel to
slick back the hair and a few overly large fake teeth will be a
great addition.

Soda Can: Find an inexpensive plastic barrel and cut a hole in
the bottom. Paint the entire barrel the colors and design of
your favorite brand of soda in a can. With holes for arms and
your head, a simple barrel can transform your child into a soda
can.

Your child can be the hit of your block or at the neighborhood Halloween party if you use a little imagination and create
special homemade costumes out of inexpensive, household items.

Like the commercials say "The memory of your child in a costume
you made together"... priceless.