1. This year, the girl will be a black cat. Take last years black gymnastic leotard, some black tights and black shoes, and then stuff a leg of an old pair of black tights, and pin it to her butt for a tail. A $4 set of cat ears and some eyeliner whiskers completes the look.

2. Last year, she was Rapunzel. She wore her fancy Christmas dress from the year before, and I bought a blonde wig for $7.

3. A scarecrow: I took Jeans and a plaid shirt, sewed some yellow, fringed felt to the sleeves, the bottom of the pants, and the pockets, added a few fabric patches here and there, and a straw hat from the dress up drawer.

I usually get the superhero costumes on the cheap at thrift stores or garage sales, but I might have to spring for batman this year. I’ll buy it big so it can be used in the dress up drawer or maybe even next year!

Homemaker Barbi (Danelle Ice)

This year Miss Divatude wants to be a pop star so I bought cute pink leopard print PJs which will dominate the costume and I’m filling out the look with part of a funky witch costume I bought on sale (and a few other cheap accessories). Mudpie has decided to be a scarecrow with a pumpkin head, so I got him classic red long underwear that he can wear with the overalls and flannel shirt he already owns. His father picked up a nice fake pumpkin at a craft store that he’s carved with a jack-o-lantern face and a hole in the bottom so the boy can slide his big ol’ noggin into it. The pajama plan also makes it easier to peel them down for sleep when they’re too tired to properly change. I think I spend more on costumes than I have to, but when November 1st comes around all of the elements are bound for either the dress-up dresser or the kid’s wardrobes. There’s nothing disposable and that feels frugal enough for me. When I can manage the difference I choose value over price tag.

I can’t predict my kid’s sizes well enough to buy costumes in advance but last year in November I bought a kit for making calaveras (sugar skulls) at like 60% off and I’m so excited to get to make them with the kids this month. Fall crafts and hot spiced cider, I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of October.

Being a princess or a bride has always been fun for the little girls in the family and I still remember being a princess myself when I was about 7 or 8. An adult`s fancy dress pinned to fit, lots of costume jewellery and a dollar store tiara. Fast and inexpensive.

When my Elder Daughter was in her late teens I discovered that her old school tunic fit *me* although she`d outgrown it (she`s about 6 inches taller than I am), so I went to the Megillah reading (when we read the Book of Esther, for those who don`t know what I`m talking about) dressed as a school girl in navy tights, white long sleeved shirt and navy pleated tunic. I was even totally modest because the tunic ended at least 4 inches below my knees. I liked that costume because it was totally different and completely free.