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With family budgets getting tighter every week, there is no reason why you need to spend $30 on a costume that your children will wear once. Halloween should be a fun time for kids and parents alike. There is no reason to let money stress you out. The perfect costume can be right in your own closet! Plus, half the fun of the spooktacular holiday is spending quality time creating something wonderful with your kids.

Here are 8 wickedly simple ideas for this years Trick-or-Treat celebrations.

 1 Scarecrow – All this costume needs is a ratty pair of jeans that you don’t mind ripping up a little and a slightly oversized flannel shirt. If you don’t want to use your kids good school clothes, visit the local Salvation Army and pick up the outfit for a buck or two. Draw or sew little patches on the knees and the elbows. Use craft raffia for the stuffing (real hay is probably too itchy) and have some sticking out of the arms and leg bottoms. Paint a few freckles and some rosy cheeks on your little scarecrow and you’re ready to go.

2. Skeleton – Have your child wear all black clothing. Using white construction paper or card stock, draw some bones. Cut and glue (or pin) the bones on the sleeves and pants. Make sure you have enough bones for the length of you child’s arms, legs, and rib area. You can paint the face with white face paint and bingo – you have a skeleton.

3. Princess – Don’t pay big bucks for a store bought dress. Instead check out the thrift stores for old flower girl dresses. They are often more elaborate than the princess costumes anyway. Plain dresses can be enhances with glitter and a hot glue gun. The dollar stores will carry cheap plastic wands and tiaras for around a dollar.

4. Painter – Grab some overalls, an old shirt, and old hat, and leftover house paint. Have your child splash paint on the pants, shirt, and hat. After the paint has dried, arm your child with a paintbrush and a few smudges of makeup one the face.

5. A Blast From the Past – Dig through your own memories to create an outfit for your kid. Have flashbacks as your dress your child up in your old 70′s or 80′s gear. Look for fun accessories you still have from your past, such as one of those huge cell phones or a boombox carried on the shoulder.

6. Snowman – A simple white sweatshirt and sweatpants can be worn. Paint the child’s face with white face paint, using black around the eyes and mouth. Put some orange around the nose. Add a colorful scarf and some real black buttons or cut some fabric out that can later be removed. For added effect, you can stuff the pants and shirt to give a rounded effect. (This is a great costume for trck or treating because the kids stay warm.)

7. Mad Scientist – One of dad’s old suit coats can be used with an old shirt, tie, and dress pants. They don’t have to fit well. In fact, oversized makes it all the more funny. Add a calculator to the pocket and tease up your child’s hair to make them look a little extra crazy.

8. A Gift – Using an old box can make a great costume. Find one that is a good size for your child so they can wear it easily. Cut out holes for the arms and head. Have your child decorate the box themselves with markers or paints or wrap it up in real gift wrap paper and a ribbon. If your daughter plants to wear the costume, add in lots of colorful ribbons into her hair. If it’s for your son, add a giant stick on bow to his head.