Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Making Halloween

Welcome to the October 2012 Simplicity Parenting Carnival: Holidays
This post was written as part of the monthly Simplicity Parenting Carnival hosted by The Lone Home Ranger and S.A.H.M. i AM. This month we are discussing how we simplify the holiday season. Be sure to read to the end to see a list of the rest of the excellent carnival contributors.
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I love Halloween! Dressing up, getting goofy and a little scary, candy, cute kids running around with many variations of "Trick or Treat!" But, that doesn't mean we have to spend a lot to enjoy ourselves! We like to mix commercial costume apparel with on hand pieces or thrift store finds. We also have no qualms with reusing a theme!


Our first Halloween with L1 we found a pea pod bunting and wore Mike's culinary school uniforms. 


Our first Halloween with L2 we started our Star Wars theme. Our  little Ewok was a  second hand bear suit with some scrap fur and a leather vest.
(Yes, I know better than to use this kind of outfit in the carseat now.)
More thrift store finds as well as a jedi tunic that was really just a bolt of muslin fabric! The robes were made from  fabric a friend found while downsizing their stash.
Because Jedis were baby wearers too!
Reusing the bolt of muslin to fashion pirate shirts, adding party favor accessories.  My rainbow fairy  is courtesy of a hippy wardrobe and some borrowed wings!

There is no need to overspend or even create more waste with a brand new retail costume every year. This year my boys have chosen whole new costume ideas, so we are on the lookout to pieces to complete them. I can't wait to see how they turn out! Where do your costumes come from?


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Thanks for reading the Simplicity Parenting Blog Carnival! We hope you’ll take time to read these other great contributors’ posts: SimParCarButton150x150
  • Choosing Your Battles - Molly at Molly Makes Do talks about ways to keep your holidays simple and remain on speaking terms with your relatives.
  • Making Halloween - JW at True Confessions of a Real Mommy says “No need to spend a lot this Halloween! Check out some easy, frugal ideas for dressing your family up!”
  • Hibernating During Halcyon - Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children and her family are gearing up for the Halcyon celebrations and enjoying some quiet time as a family.
  • Savoring Family Time (or, Simple Homemade Gifts) - Emily at S.A.H.M. i AM is trying to prepare for the holidays early so she can slow down and enjoy time with her family as the days grow shorter and a new baby enters their lives.
  • 7 Green Gifts for Toddlers - Shannon at GrowingSlower shares unique green gift ideas for kids this holiday season that are sure to be green mom approved.
  • Less is More: Simplifying the Holidays to Make Room for More of What Matters - Amy at Anktangle shares a few easy strategies she uses to keep the holidays manageable, stress-free, and fun!
  • buy nothing x-mas? - mama lola at bear & lion describes what christmas is all about to her and her family; treats, music, crafts and LOVE!
  • DIY holiday fun - Justine at The Lone Home Ranger revels in thrifting for and making her own holiday gifts and decorations.
Thanks to all the fabulous writers and readers for being a part of our simplicity parenting community! Stop by The Lone Home Ranger and S.A.H.M. i AM to see how to join us for a future carnival.

5 comments:

  1. I love homemade costumes too! Finding items from around your house is even better. I can remember doing that activity many summer camp dress-up days. I think it encourages kids (and us!) to think outside the box at everything we own. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I'm finishing up my children's costumes today!

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  3. Love the costumes! Growing up I always made my costume (and my brother's costumes)...the last few years our costumes have been a combo of homemade and thrifted items/second hand costumes. This year however, I made my costume from items around the house and clothes I already own...but I bought L's costume. She wanted to be spiderman/rapunzel and this pregnant mama needed to simplify!

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  4. The planning and making of the costumes is half the fun! I love that you've found a way not to contribute more garbage to the waste stream and still have fun at the holidays!

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  5. You're brilliant! I think making costumes from things you can find and repurpose is so much fun. I never had store-bought costumes growing up, and it still would feel like cheating to me. :)

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