Ah, October, the month for autumn leaves, scarves, and pumpkin spice lattes, culminating with All Hallow’s Eve, the most epic of holidays. As a theater nerd, Halloween has always been one of my favorites. Every year, I remember being torn between several costume options, sometimes feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities. As a young adult in college, I loved getting invited to multiple parties so I could wear a different costume for each one.
Now that I’m an adult, my party pants have officially retired. But since I’m a mom, I have an excuse to dress up for Halloween again. Or just live vicariously through my child. (At least for the first couple of years when he’s still too little to make his own decisions.)
The great thing about Halloween when they’re so little is that there are so many different options for acquiring costumes, and you don’t have to break the bank. Here are a few tips to come up with that perfect Halloween costume!
Shop your little one’s wardrobe
If you have a baby or toddler, chances are you already own a cute little hooded one piece with animal ears or a face on it. Or a character onesie like the Incredibles or other Disney/Pixar characters. This route saves serious cash and is guaranteed to be adorable.
DIY it
If you’re crafty, this is a great option. There are many different websites that have directions and guides on homemade costumes to make your little one’s Halloween a Pinterest-worthy event. Choices range from beloved pop-culture icons, political figures, animals, and household items.
Thrift stores
Brand new store-bought costumes can be pricey, and shelling out a ton of cash for something your baby will only wear once is never fun. Consider buying a costume second hand from a local Goodwill or other thrift or consignment store.
Look for discounts and bargains
If you price different websites, you can find some good deals on brand new costumes. Another option is to buy a costume during the off season, right after Halloween. Many places will be heavy handed with discounts, in which case stocking up for next year might not be a bad idea.
Halloween is a fun holiday, and luckily, when kids are small they won’t insist on a very specific and overpriced character. So go nuts with your imagination, not your wallet. Remember, you won’t have many years where you have this much control and can get away with swiping their candy!
