DIY Halloween Costumes

The month of October is filled with fun activities, fall fests, and great treats. Best of all, the month culminates with Halloween - the one holiday centered around whimsy

and joy. If you're not careful, though, Halloween can easily break the budget. Store bought costumes are an easy choice, but they can also get expensive, especially if you're outfitting the entire family. With a little creativity, your costumes this year can be more unique and affordable.

COSTUMES FOR THE KIDS

Shopping for kids' costumes can be both expensive and difficult. Depending on their age, comfort is really key. Here are some great ideas for easy to make costumes the kids will love:

Old Woman / Old Man. For toddlers, especially, these can be some of the cutest costumes and very affordable. For an old woman costume, you can use a fuzzy robe over pajamas with hair in curlers or a gray wig. You might also use a dress with a shawl over the shoulders. The great thing about this costume is that you probably have most of it in your child's closet already. Rollers can be picked up at a dollar store or pharmacy. You can even get gray colored hairspray if you prefer to stay away from wigs. Total cost can be anywhere from $0 - $20. For an old man you might use a lack of hair to your advantage. You can also draw in wrinkles and add circles under eyes with child safe makeup. Instead of pajamas and a robe, you might try dress pants and a sweater vest over a button up shirt. Adding a cap to the outfit can also help, as well as gray hair spray for tykes with a full head of hair. Total cost might range from $0 - $10. Either of these outfits can be enhanced with small walkers or canes. An easy walker can be put together using plastic piping from local a hardware store. Add rollers to the bottom to help them move it along if you like. Total cost should be under $15.

COSTUME FOR HIM

Doctor Who Costume. The fun thing about pop culture references is that they're often easy to recreate. If your guy is a big fan of the good doctor, creating this costume will be a simple undertaking. You'll need a button down shirt, blue slacks, red bow tie, and a tweed jacket. You can also add a pair of suspenders, though those are really a preference. No one will see them unless you take off the jacket. Because it's such a popular character, you can pick up props to accent your outfit at most Halloween costume shops. You'll likely have the shirt and pants, and possibly a jacket to create the outfit. A second hand shop is a great place to locate anything that you're missing for a very low price. Need a bowtie? Do a little frugal shopping online and you'll find a ton of options, including those made just for the costume. Total cost for this costume can be anywhere from $0 to $40 or more, depending on how much you want to spend. You'll also be able to wear any of the items again, if you'd like to add to your wardrobe with your Halloween choice.

COSTUMES FOR HER Women's costumes today are all about the makeup. Want to add a bit of modern life to your Halloween garb? How about changing your cute fuzzy animal outfit up a bit and making it a Snap Chat Deer?

Snap Chat Deer Filter Costume. The nice thing about this costume is that you don't need to invest in any clothing. You can wear whatever you like. The costume is all from the neck up.

The frame. A large sheet of cardboard can be used to make a frame. You'll need to measure a border (2 inches in width) around the cardboard. It can be thicker but you want it to be sturdy enough to hold up. You'll then cut out the center to use to frame your face and to complete the look of the costume. The frame can be painted yellow. With white construction paper, create a snap chat ghost and attach it to the top of your frame. Cost: Less than $7.

Deer ears. You can buy deer ears, though you can also make them at home. You'll need a plastic headband, brown and pink felt, a needle, and heavy thread. The ears can be made using a simple oval shape. The brown felt will be larger than the pink. The pink felt can be sewn inside the brown. You can also use fabric paint to highlight the ears, white in certain spots to mimic light. Once the ears are made, attach them to the headband. Cost: Less than $10.

Makeup. You can buy Halloween makeup for this purpose. You can also use makeup that you already own. Play with the looks a bit before Halloween. For the deer, you'll want to put white along the sides and top of your nose. Brown will start at the bridge of your nose and work its way up along the forehead. You'll also add specks of white to your forehand. Your nostrils and the tip of your nose should be painted black and shaped like the deer's nose. Add a bit of pink blush and make sure to use plenty of mascara. Cost: $0 to $15.

The total cost for this costume should be under $35. It will also be one of the most original costumes at the party.

Halloween is a great time for family fun and costumes add to the festivities. Making your own costume lets you use some creativity to really make a one of a kind costume. It's also far less expensive than many of the store bought costumes.