The most daunting task this Halloween is what to be and how to make it perfect. If you have no idea what to dress up as this year here are a few helpful tips and ideas.

1. Set a budget for your Halloween fun. How much money you want to spend will determine what direction you take to find or create your costume.

2. Decide what look you want to create.

A. scary

B. Funny

C. Common

D. Popular

E. Famous

F. Animal

G. Vegetable

H. Mineral

I. Inanimate Object

J. Pretty

K. Sexy

L. Gross

N. Mysterious

M. Shocking

By now you are getting some ideas of what your first questions should be. We will look at a few easy ways to create great costumes for very little money.

No matter what you want to be for Halloween you can not forget the power of make up. Any great costume deserves a great make up job to go along with it. When you look through your make up kit just remember one thing: There are no rules! Have fun be creative! Most of all have a lot of fun!

Use 10 black garbage bags with drawstrings for witch. For bodice, trim bottom off 1 bag; turn inside out.

Reinforced Armhole How-To

Skirt How-To

Costume Details How-To

Make a third braid long enough to crisscross around waist (for long strips, tape short ones end to end), and tie in back. Wear tights or slip beneath skirt. We used a long black skirt with white yarn and a long white skirt with black yarn--both look great. Wear a matching top. You may want to add a crinoline petticoat under the skirt for extra puff.

The knotting and pinning of the yarn is easier if done when the skirt is on a dress form or a person. Cut 8 pieces of yarn, each the length of the skirt plus 4 inches; these will become the vertical spokes of the web.

Tie a small loop at both ends of each length of yarn. With small safety pins, attach loops of yarn to the inside of the waistband and the underside of the hem, sliding pins through loops to secure, and evenly spacing yarn around skirt.

For the horizontal lines of the web, cut 5 or more pieces of yarn, each of them measured to be at least twice as long as the circumference of the skirt at the point where you will place it; the yarn you fasten at the waist will be shorter than the yarn at the hem.

Starting from the waistband, tie each yarn to the spokes, letting it sag slightly between them. Dab white craft glue on the knots so they won't slip down the spokes. Space the horizontal yarns farther apart toward the bottom of the skirt, and add more sag.

Spider How-To

Turn each of 3 pairs of men's microfiber black dress socks inside out. Tuck each ankle by 1 inch and safety-pin to make finished legs have sharper angles. Turn socks right side out; stuff with polyester-fiber stuffing. If safety pins show, blacken with permanent marker. Use shaded part of half-template below to cut out body from cardboard; punch holes as indicated. To attach legs, thread 24-gauge wire through holes, place sock on cardboard, and twist wire to secure.

Harness How-To

Cut 2 pieces of 5/8-inch-wide black grosgrain ribbon 4 inches longer than baby's waist; stick self-adhesive Velcro on ends. Lay ribbons across spider, between legs; hot-glue onto cardboard. Using template, including unshaded part, cut body from black fake fur. Put some polyester-fiber stuffing on top of cardboard, place fur body over it, and hot-glue fur flaps to underside of cardboard. Place spider on baby's back, and attach at belly with Velcro-ribbon ties.

For a teen or adult you could make a larger costume with pantie hose for the legs. You can use fake spider web and turn your black pants or shirt inside out then using a safety pin secure the fake web to the sides under the arms along the side of the shirt or down the side of the legs. Turn the shirt or pants right side out now stretch the bundle of web from the pants to the arms or visa verse then place you fake baby spiders on the web with hot glue. For an added element don't forget to paint the face use your own ideas to spice this great costume up.

Bat Wing How-To

Using a black umbrella, use a bolt cutter to clip metal joints where angled support bars meet spokes; also cut off central rod and handle. Trim all metal as closely as possible; cover any remaining sharp points with black electrical tape. Slit opposite-facing panels midway between spokes, all the way to umbrella top.

With pliers, untwist small wire that holds plastic center piece to spokes, and remove both wire and plastic; umbrella should separate into 2 pieces. Discard plastic. To rejoin spokes at top, cut wire in half (or use any similar-gauge wire), and thread a piece through the small holes in spokes of each half; bend in a loop at each end.

Secure loose fabric to spokes on each umbrella half: Catch edge of fabric with a 3-inch-long piece of 28-gauge wire, and twist its ends tightly around wire that holds spokes together; trim ends.

Harness How-To

Cut 2 pieces of 5/8-inch-wide black grosgrain ribbon 21 inches long and 1 piece of 1/4 -inch-wide black elastic 7 inches long. Make each ribbon into a loop by crossing ends so they make a point, and hot-glue. Connect loops with elastic by folding each end of elastic over the point of a loop and stapling to secure; hot-glue a patch of ribbon to cover staple ends and keep staples from pulling out.

Place harness on wearer. Locate underarm points; with 2 small safety pins per side, attach harness at underarm point to the small loops on the wire that holds spokes together. To make wrist ties, measure wrist of wearer, add 6 inches, and cut 2 pieces of ribbon to that measurement. Place each ribbon at top edge of wing where wearer's wrist falls, and safety-pin center of ribbon in place. Glue patches of ribbon to cover safety pins. Attach bottoms of wings to wearer's clothing with safety pins.

white leaf sized trash bags and use a basket ball or soccer ball for a head. Tie a rope or string at the end of the bags and tie these as ghosts in trees. If you do not have any types of balls to use for the heads, just stuff each ghost with crumpled news papers or more plastic grocery bags. This will be lighter weight and may be easier to hanging in the trees. You can also tie a few heavy sinkers or washers to the bottom to weight the bottom down a little bit. You can use small little bags in orange and make little pumpkins out of them.

You can take black trash bags and stuff with newspapers. We use the points to make ears for a cat head, also use orange bags to make into pumpkins. You can make bats or spiders just let your imagination run wild. White trash bags can be made into ghosts or a goulish face to hang from your porch or your trees. These hold up well if they get wet too. We also added a few large rocks or sand in bottoms to weight these down a little in case of a windy day.

You can also use Styrofoam to make RIP headstones and use a stick to secure them into the ground. You can paint them a gray color and write in black paint or markers. Ad a few crocked lines for cracks to make them look old. You can write RIP Disco lol or something to that effect.

Use old jeans and old shirts and stuff them with either newspaper or plastic bags. You can add old straw hats to make scare crows or add some straw in ends of sleeves and legs to make them look more authentic. Put a pumpkin head next to it and place the arm around it for a headless guy.

Easy Children's Costumes

Scarecrow

Old jeans or

denim bib overalls

plaid flannel shirt

rope or twine

straw hat

gloves and old boots

straw or shredded raffia works great

toy crow

Dress child in overalls and shirt.

Stuff the pockets full with straw or shredded raffia.

Tie twine or rope around waist for a belt.

Add a few touches of straw to the hat, gloves and boots with hot glue.

Plaid and solid color patches are a nice touch to denim jeans.

Cut a few holes into jeans and shirt glue straw or raffia on the inside to stick out the front side.

Finish off with a toy crow attached on the shoulder.

========================

Cowboy/Cowgirl

blue jeans

western shirt

cowboy boots

cowboy hat

neckerchief

bandana

toy gun and holster

sheriff's star

rope

Dress in blue jeans, a western shirt or flannel shirt, and cowboy boots.

Top off with a cowboy hat and tie a neckerchief or bandana loose around the neck.

Can carry a rope and attach Sheriff's star to shirt. Add toy gun in holster.

=================

Indian

brown pants

white shirt

brown vest

moccasins

headband

feather

face paint

plastic tomahawk or spear

Dress up basic brown pants and vest with moccasins and a tomahawk or spear.

Make a headband from any material you like tie around child's head.

Hot glue or tape the feather to the headband.

Smear on war paint in diagonal lines along cheek bones and under the eyes.

=================

Princess

lacy or frilly dress or gown

nylon scarf, ribbons or crepe paper streamers

ribbons, sequins, fake jewels

gold foil

poster board or party hat

string elastic

tape

hot glue

cardboard tube/paper dowel from clothes hanger

Tape together a poster board cone hat or use a party hat.

Decorate with sequins, jewels, glitter

Attach scarf or streamers to top point of hat. Punch holes on sides of hat, tie on elastic string. To create a princess scepter, use cardboard tube covered in foil, glue on sequins and fake jewels and attach ribbons to the end.

VARIATIONS

Fairy

For a Fairy, cut a star from poster board, cover with foil, attach to dowel from hanger, tie ribbons underneath the star.

Miss America

Make a cardboard crown and spray paint it gold with glitter. Then make a sash from fabric or sheets and write Miss America on with fabric paint.

====================

Magician

Cape

black jacket

black pants

white dress shirt

red silk carnation

top hat

stuffed bunny

magic wand

Pin silk carnation to breast pocket of black jacket.

wear white gloves

=======================

Knight

about 40 frozen juice can lids

silver tights

black or gray gloves

knight helmet

cardboard

silver spray paint

plastic sword

Punch small holes in juice can lids for wires to be inserted through. Thread the wires through to create a suit of armor that will drape over child's shoulders. Be sure to leave a hold for the head! Cut cardboard in the shape of a shield and spray paint silver. Add your own a coat of arms for some fun.

======================

Jedi Knight

Long tan shirt

Dark tan pants

Light Sabor

Belt

boots

Dress chlid in pants long shirt put belt over shirt and tuk into boots.

You can add facial hair for fun.

May the force be with you

===================

Pirate

red & white horizontal stripe shirt

black jeans or sweat pants

boots

bandana

gold clip-on hoop earring

toy sword

plastic eye patch

face paint for mustache

small stuffed toy parrot

Cut frindges bottom of black jeans pant legs.

If using sweat pants, tuck them into the boots.

You can add any kind of metal buckles to boots with hot glue

Tie bandana around head with knot sticking out at the side.

Put on eye patch and Clip on earring.

Attach parrot to shoulder hand sewn stitches.

create a brown or black mustache. wide belt with large buckle.

================

Angel

white dress or white sheet with arm and head holes cut out

clear spray paint

glitter

white chenille sticks (enough for halo)

clothes hangers

sheer white cloth or netting

If you decide not to use the dress and to make your own, spray the sheet lightly with some clear spray paint and dust glitter on it before paint dries. Make halo from chenille sticks, twisting together until long enough to wrap around head. twist another chenille stick (or two) straight up and form halo from remaining sticks. Make the wings by bending clothes hangers and wrapping in white cloth or netting. Cloth or elastic strips can be used to attach wings to body backpack style. Ready made wings are also available, inexpensive and safer for use by children.

===================

Clown

white or tie-dyed sweatshirt

red sweat pants

three pom poms, bright colors

fabric paint, different colors

colorful store bought wig, or yarn wig

craft glue

Using craft glue, attach pompoms down the front center of the sweatshirt. Using fabric paint, draw swirls, stars and other fun shapes on the front and back of the sweatpants. Paint face white and paint on a red nose, or purchase a clown's nose. Top with colorful wig. Oversized shoes are optional, but not recommended for smaller children.

===================

Bum or Hobo

large men's pants

large dark sport coat

shirt with patches

tie

old hat

stick with a bandana tied to the end (stuffed with newspaper)

Get dressed and carry stick over shoulder! You can add a "dirty" look by using the recipe for bruises or paint on a scruffy beard.

==========================

Ninja

black hooded sweatsuit

long strip of black cloth,

long enough to wrap around head and hang down a foot or so

cardboard

aluminum foil

long stick or broom handle

paper towel rolls

black construction paper

twine

Cut eye holes in black cloth for mask. Make machete from cardboard and wrap in aluminum foil. Use the long stick or old broom handle for a bo. Using two paper towel rolls, connect them with piece of twine and cover with black construction to create num-chucks.

=====================

Rock Star

wig

sunglasses

toy or cardboard guitar

wild clothing

leather jacket

spiked dog collar

clip on earring -cross or hoop

Instead of a wig you can spike your child's hair with gel and hair spray and then spray with temporary hair color. Carry an electric guitar. Make your outfit as crazy as you like and top off with sunglasses and leather jacket. Don't forget to clip on the earring and put the *spiked collar around their neck!

*spiked collar not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

=======================

Movie Star

long white dress or nightgown

long white gloves

bracelets

necklaces

rings

*fancy dress up shoes

sunglasses

feather boa

make up

Put dress or nightgown on first, then gloves, then jewelry over the top of the gloves. Paint on a pretty face. Paint a beauty mark under one eye, level with the bottom of child's nose. Finish off with sunglasses, feather boa and dress up shoes.

*dress up shoes not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

=======================

Hippie

tie-dyed shirt

fringed vest

bell bottom pants or jeans

beaded necklace or peace sign necklace

sandals, boots or mocasins

colored tinted sunglasses

bandana

Dress in t-shirt, then vest. Put on necklace and sunglasses. Tie bandana around head as a headband and put on sandals or mocasins. Peace!

Gypsy

long puffy sleeved blouse

long skirt

4 or 5 scarves bright colored

clip on hoop earrings

necklaces and bracelets

black boots

fake eyelashes

Tie a few scarves around your child's waist and one around her head. Add earrings, necklaces and bracelets. if you child can stand it, use fake eyelashes and finish with purple eyeshadow and bright lipstick.

Zorro

black sweatsuit

black cape or piece of black material

strip of black cloth

strip of red cloth

toy or cardboard sword

black boots

Tie cape on over sweatsuit. Cut eye holes on strip of black cloth for mask. Tie strip of red cloth around waist. Carry toy or cardboard sword.

1950's Greaser

black or blue jeans

white t-shirt

loafers

white socks

sunglasses

plastic comb

leather jacket

chewing gum

Slick hair back with styling gel. Get dressed, adorn sunglasses, put comb in back pocket and chew gum!

1950's Girl

light colored short sleeve blouse

big skirt

saddle shoes

white socks

scarf

You can use a plain skirt or make a poodle skirt. They are quite simple: literally a circle with the waist and hem finished, and an applique. Sewing stores have many patterns. Put child's hair in a pony tail and tie with a scarf.

Homemade Face Make Up

RECIPE

1 tsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp water

1/2 tsp cold cream

food coloring

Stir together starch and cold

cream until well blended. Add

water and stir, then add food

coloring.

APPLICATION

Wash your face and any area

that you will be applying the

makeup to. Dry thoroughly.

Use fingertips to spread onto

large areas. Use a small

paint brush to paint designs

on face. Removes with soap

and water. Store in airtight

container.

Homemade Bruises

You will need:

deep blue powder eyeshadow

charcoal or smoke gray powder

eyeshadow

shimmery green powder

eyeshadow

make up brush

Using a blot of deep blue

powder eye shadow, apply with

a wet make up brush. Use your

fingertips to add blots of

charcoal gray and blue

shadows. Touch up the edges

with a shimmery olive green.

Smudge the bruise to

complete.

Homemade Blood

You will need:

1/2 bottle of light corn

syrup

very hot water

squirt of liquid soap

red food coloring

blue or green food coloring

(optional)

Pour light corn syrup into a

bowl and add hot water

sparingly, adding and

stirring until you have the

right consistency. Add a

squirt of liquid soap to make

it the blood easy to clean

off later. Tint with red food

coloring. You may add a drop

of blue or green if you like

to make the blood a darker

color. Store in the

refrigerator until ready to

use. Smear on as needed!