Ghosts of Halloween Past – Part II – Costume Parade

Well, the short version, anyway. I have a thing about family themed costumes. I don’t know how much longer the kids will play along, but I usually base the idea on something at least one of them is excited about. The parents are usually an accessory. I suppose I won’t be ruining any huge surprises if I tell you that we are working on a “Toy Story” theme this year. This was inspired by the fact that my son inherited a really cool Buzz Lightyear costume from a friend. And the rest of the characters seem doable using a lot of things we already have (“Seem” being the operative word, here…I’ll let you know when the costumes are all done!)

Last year we did Narnia. Can you tell what we all are? (Except my husband, who tried to claim he was C.S. Lewis. Yeah. I didn’t buy it either.) Go here for all of the details about the costumes and our festivities last year.

And if you want lots more of our crazy costume ideas, go to this post where I parade most of the memorable costumes from the past several years. Like my prized peony above, only 1 week old!

I have had a few emails about how I put together some of the costumes, and I definitely have to give credit to my amazing mother for sewing lots of them, but when we are doing a family theme, I really try to think of things we already have that can be utilized. A formal gown from years gone by that just needs a cape to look like the wicked stepmother. My gardeners outfit came straight from my closet (yes, I own overalls). See what you can work with as a base and the buy or make the accessories to make it clear what you are. My lamppost, last year, was thrown together hours before our party. Then I just had to wear black clothes. It helps to have a seamstress for a mother, but even if not, costumes don’t have to be terribly expensive or complicated…I’ll let you know how complicated this year turns out to be.