I don't know about you, but I always like my Halloween costumes to be original. Sure buying one in a bag from your local costume store is easy but are you really getting your money's worth? According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans spend over $2 billion (yes, a "b" not an "m") on Halloween costumes every year; and with those kind of numbers, you should be getting more than just a folded up polyester costume in a bag. What you need is an innovative, possibly 3-demensional piece of art that complements your style and physique...you need a DIY Floral inspired costume!

DIY costumes are the only way to stand out in a crowd of cookie cutter witches, fairies and pirates. They are affordable, original and best of all CREATIVE! What better way to get your kids excited about Halloween than to include them in the creation of their fantasies. Design a 'Queen of the Butterflies' costume for your little girl. Simply get some decor butterfly picks, cut the butterflies off the pick and hot glue gun* butterflies directly to an old poofy princess dress and presto! 'Queen of the Butterflies'! If you really want her to stand out, weave some artificial foliage, silk flower, and butterfly picks together for a rustic crown, just join edges together with flowing ribbon! 

One down three to go. I bet you thought you wouldn't be able to find anything for your tween-age son at a Silk Flowers store but guess again! Even boys costumes can have a 'hint' of nature. Why not dress up Junior as Mr. Frost! Simply sew some artificial icicles on to a white button down shirt and paint his face white w/ 'frosted' eyebrows. For a little extra 'umph', pair the shirt with white pants and a white fedora. Not only is it a 'cool' costume (no pun intended, lol), but he'll like the fact that he's a stand-out guy!

Speaking of a 'stand-out guy', now's the perfect time to bring up dad in our ficticious family scenario. Every woman knows that most men would not be caught dead in anything with flowers or foliage on it, but I bet you I can sway you once again. What better way to get the MR. on your side than by creating the greatest 'special forces soldier' costume ever; fully equipped with leaf and grass accents to look like they've been hiding in the jungle. You can even get oversized greenery branches to 'hide' behind. Put an original twist on an old favorite!

Now that you've got everyone else covered, you can concentrate on yourself. Why not be the belle of the ball as a beautiful bird. Once you see how easy it is to make, you'll wonder why you never thought of it before. Simply get a couple feather sprays, some cheap bangle bracelets and a petticoat (tutu if no petticoat available). start by cutting the petticoat in half, take feathers and hot glue gun them to bangles and to outside of half petticoat. Once feathers are secure, sew petticoat to back of pants/skirt for a tail effect (tuck-in petticoat into waistline if in a hurry). Go as over or under the top as you like! Create a feathery plume to your hair, or add a beak; you could even make wings if you have the drive! 

Well now, that's four original costumes from one store for probably less than you would spend on bag-o-costumes. You saved money, bonded with your family, exercised your immagination and stood out in a crowd. I'd say my job is done here. 

Hope you enjoy your creations and stay safe this 31st. Talk to you next week.

Christine

*Sorry I know everyone already knows this but I have to say it 'just in case'. When using a hot glue gun please ensure no one is wearing the item you are working on and follow all instructed and common sense fire safety precautions. Thank you : )