10 Solutions to “What to Be For Halloween?”

What’s your child going to be for Halloween this year? If you haven’t decided, dread the thought of hitting the costume isle or combing the Internet to find something that will please both you and your kids (and is the right size), let us help.

We’ve found 10 Super Cool Make-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes that are sure to impress  your friends and neighbors, and more importantly your kids. No matter what your needs or limitations, we’ve found your perfect costume!

When you need a good excuse to dress up, too:  Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb, and you can, too! You can be Mary, and will have a blast turning your munchkins into a doting herd of little lambs. These lambs are outfitted in batting sewn onto a leotard worn over a black tee and tights. There’s a template for making the ears, and a little face paint will finish it off.

When the budget is bust and time is of the essence:  Baby-saurus

It doesn’t get much easier or cheaper than this one… and it’s pretty dang cute! Cut sponges in half on the diagonal and super glue them to the back and head of a matching one-piece suit (or jammies) and a cap.

When Brother and Sister are best of pals and two is better than one: The King and The Queen

It’s hard to believe these are no-sew costumes. They look to good to be easy, but truly they are. Follow the instructions for making the capes and embellishing a suit and fancy dress your kids already own.

When you crave homemade, but DIY is not your thing: Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Cheating a little? Yes, but not really. Here’s a homemade costume made by someone else. It’s adorable, original and  looks way better than anything mass produced.

When you’re a master of the glue gun and love a little glam: The Peacock

Gorgeous and eye-catching, this little peacock comes together with a onesie, pair of tights, handful of feathers, and some elastic sequin bands… and a really good glue gun.

When you have a gaggle of girls: Mermaids

Sure, you could let them all be Disney princesses, but if you have more than one daughter, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve had all the princess you can stomach. How about mermaids (call her Ariel, if she’s a die-hard Disney fan)? How cute would it be to make them all tails and have each girl choose her own color top and crown to make it her own?

When you want a fun project to do together: Knight in Shining Armor

Plan on doing some shopping for this one, including a hardware, craft and sporting goods store… unless you already own a lot of duct tape; a clean, empty paint can; and knee and elbow pads, among other materials.

When you want to light up their world: Sci-Fi Avenger

The crafter who created this sure-fire hit costume claims it takes little more than “ garbage, spray paint, felt fire, and 20 minutes.” Even if your kid isn’t a Star Wars fan, it’s unlikely he or she will want to take this off.

When your baby is so yummy, you could eat her up: Candy Corn Baby

This is a great costume for little ones trick-or-treating, since it will keep them warm and cozy. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the tutorial is easy to follow and the lines are straight, so it’s not too tough, even for the sewing beginner.

No time for DIY? There’s undoubtedly a babysitter ready and willing to jump into a fun project with your kids! Check out babysitter profiles on UrbanSitter to find the perfect fit.

DIY Halloween Decorating

 

Not the crafty type? All thumbs when it comes to a glue gun and anything DIY, but longing to jazz up your home with a bit of Halloween or Falltime decoration? Have no fear. We’ve rounded up 5 super cool Pins that make DIY Halloween Decorating a breeze even for the most unhandy of us. Check out our full Pinterest board for more DIY Halloween ideas, including costumes!

Take a look at these fun, festive ideas to bring the season into your house:

  1. These black and white painted pumpkins are ot your average jack-o’lanterns! Think beyond a big, orange pumpkin with triangle cut-outs for eyes.  These guys were created by making a base with white flat acrylic craft paint and adding the spider web or a pattern (like a chevron) with a paint pen (or Sharpee). There’s a nifty template if your heart is set on replicating the big beetle.
  2. This black burlap wreath is super simple – just a wreath form, some burlap, a can of spray paint and some letters to paint and glue on. Best part is that it can be customized to fit your style. Keep it cute and simple like this one, go modern rustic by leaving the burlap its natural color,  or go all out Halloween by adding more embellishments.
  3. Glittery spider webs make great decorations for windows or tabletops. They are fun to make and a great craft to get the kids involved.  Redbook tutorial tells you how: Tape 2 sheets of wax paper together and lay them flat. Begin drawing your spiderweb with Elmer’s glue (refrigerate for a few hours first so it’s less runny) by making an asterisk with 4 lines. Starting at the center, cast a single line connecting each asterisk spoke; continue until the web is the size you want. Pour glitter on top of glue web and let it sit overnight. Shake off excess glitter and let the web sit for another 2 days to completely dry and harden. Using a spatula, gently peel the web off the wax paper.
  4. Bring the outside in with this pretty idea for your mantel. It’s little more than a couple of galvanized pots spilling over with baby pumpkins and one upright and brimming with natural and store-bought branches. The sparkle comes from adding lighted branches like these we found at Target.
  5. Papier-mache ghosts to hang from a doorway or front porch are just the thing to inspire a ghoulishly fun time in your home. And who among us hasn’t dabbled in a bit of papier-mache back in the day? It’s loads of fun! Make them extra spooky by adding a battery-powered tea light or glow stick.  Detailed instructions are here.

No time for decorating? Find a babysitter on UrbanSitter to watch the kids while you head out for shopping.

3 Ways to Beat the Birthday Party Barrage

photo by D Sharon Pruitt

It’s about to start. We’re not talking about the early morning alarm, the arrival of the school bus or soccer season kickoff. We’re talking about the budget-busting bombardment of birthday parties!

If you have just one child, the steady stream of invitations might not seem so overwhelming, but if you have more than one who falls within prime birthday party years (say age 2 or 3 to at least 12), you’re looking at a flood of kiddie party invitations and Evites.

Here’s how you can meet your gift-giving responsibilities without breaking your neck or the bank:

1. Buy in bulk. Becoming the woman who has a stash of ready-to-give gifts will free up a tremendous amount of your shopping time and help you avoid the all too common, last-minute stop at the toy store on your way to the party. Buying in advance and in abundance also has big budget-saving advantages. Forego the free gift-wrapped presents at the pricey local toy store, and instead load up at Target, an online sale, or even not necessarily top of mind places like an art supply or sports store. If your daughter loves Tangled, chances are her friends do, too. Buy a few extra dolls when you choose one for your child. See a sale on a cool craft kit that will delight a child and give her mother a break? Stock up.

Gift cards may seem like an odd choice for little kids, but even kids can appreciate the power of having their pick of a present. Consider a movie pass, bowling or miniature golf rounds, even an iTunes card for those toting iPads or iTouch.

2. Choose a signature wrapping. Having a signature wrapping method means you’ll never have to stop for a gift bag on the way home, buy expensive paper that the young recipient will never appreciate, or have to give up precious closet space for a mirage of supplies. Keep it simple and unisex. How about a solid turquoise paper with a red bow? Or the same combo in a gift bag version. Better yet, go green and use reusable gift bags or recycled paper your child can decorate with stickers and stamps. It makes life much easier if you can slap on a gift tag with your child’s name. Try printing your own with the free printables offered at Pizzazzerie.

3. Be a trail blazer. Ask for donations to a charity in lieu of gifts for your child. This will set the stage and encourage other parents to do the same. Does any child in your playgroup really need another tiara, Lego set or floor puzzle? Instead, encourage giving where there is truly a need. There are many charities whose mission can touch the hearts and interests of children –  your local humane society, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital , Americans Feeding Americans, World Wildlife Society, and many, many more.

Asking is as easy as a simple request in the invitation, something along the lines of: “Please join us in supporting the American Cancer Society by giving a gift in (your child’s name) to (name of the fund). Help us find a cure for cancer!”

Pooped from one-too-many birthday parties? Hire a babysitter on UrbanSitter and treat yourself to an adult evening out!