• Make creative Halloween costumes at home and save money.girl in halloween costume image by NiDerLander from Fotolia.com
  
  Making your own Halloween costume is a festive way to create a one-of-a-kind outfit. Homemade costumes can also save you money since you do not have to purchase high-priced props from the store. Use your imagination to come up with costume ideas that are unique and can be put together without a tremendous amount of labor. If you need some suggestions for starting off, consult Halloween magazines, websites and books that can offer you ideas for your costume.
  
  

Witch Costume

• Witch costumes can be easily crafted to make you or your child look scary. The costume starts with an ensemble of black pants and a black shirt that you take out from your closet. Dig up an old tablecloth or long towel that you no longer want and dye it black. If you do not own any black fabric dye, you can pick some up at your nearest craft or fabric store. The tablecloth or towel will serve as a black cape, which can be safety-pinned at the neck to prevent it from falling. You can purchase a witch's hat or go without one and give yourself a messy, scary hairdo. Use a broom as a prop to carry around as you trick-or-treat.
  
  

Makeup Artist

• This costume is simple to put together and does not require you to make any purchases (unless you do not own makeup and cosmetic appliances). As a makeup artist, wear neutral clothing, such as black leggings with a black or white top of any kind. You can put on comfy shoes or dress up in stilettos. Most of your focus should be on your makeup and hair. Apply brightly colored makeup to your face and feel free to mix and match colors to exaggerate the costume. Toss your hair up high and use a lot of hairspray to keep it in place. If you have a belt, put it on your waist and stick your makeup brushes into the belt to mimic how makeup artists carry brushes around.
  
  

Clown Costume

• Clown costumes do not take much preparatory work. Find mismatched clothing, such as pink pants and a green shirt. Roll up your pant legs to expose two unmatched socks. You can even wear two different shoes on your feet. Put your hair into pigtails (do not worry if they are uneven) and paint your face like a clown. Make rosy cheeks out of bright red lipstick, and use black eyeliner to draw diamonds or circles around your eyes. If you have white face paint, use it all over your face, including your lips. Then, draw an exaggerated smile on your mouth with the red lipstick. A red clown nose is preferable to finish off the costume.