Everyone needs a little escape now and then, even if it’s just within your head. If you’re in such a mood, luckily Halloween is not far away. With all the bad economic news and bleak projections for the coming months, or maybe years, we can really appreciate a holiday where everyone’s a kid playing out superhero or ghoulish fantasies. Superheroes never had to pay bills, right?
At the same time, those fantasies don’t always come cheap. Halloween costumes can get pricey. Spending $20 to $80 dollars on an outfit that you can only wear once without looking very, very silly is a lot.
I’m not sure if the cost is more or less justified for children. On one hand, you can spend quite a lot of money on a tiny bit of outfit. On the other hand, at least children can play dress-up and possibly get a bit more mileage out of their costume throughout the year.
I hate to put such a practical application on such a wonderfully surreal holiday like Halloween, but, with families facing the tough economic times, many may have no choice but to cut down their Halloween budget. After all, Christmas isn’t far behind either.
There is a silver lining, as I see it. Sometimes, creativity is born of constraint. Making do with less might spark an idea that wouldn’t have occurred by spending tons of cash for a costume.
Designing a costume is a great way to get kids thinking creatively. Kids’ toys and lives are so inundated with commercialized things — I wonder if many even know making their own costume is an option.
Markers, some old paper bags, tinfoil, and various forgotten items dropped in the garage, closet or basement can be used to create a great costume.
Instead of money, see if you have a little bit of time and effort to spend on a Halloween costume this year. The result will be one-of-a-kind, and it will leave a little more cash for the other great part of Halloween: candy.