Our Ghosts of Halloweens Past

It’s about that time of year that I start putting together Halloween costumes! I have a thing for the homemade variety. Nothing against a store bought costume at all…I just prefer homemade for some reason.

I find them so charming and fun, even when they aren’t perfect. Especially when they aren’t perfect. I got to thinking about this the other day and realized I cannot recall ever buying a Halloween costume for me or the kids.

There was a vintage store in college that would let you rent vintage dresses/hats/gloves that they had paired together as costumes. I loved that idea and did that some years.

But most years I am digging through our craft drawer, re-purposing existing clothes, or building costumes off basic pajamas and shirts.

In honor of costume making season, I have rounded up the “Ghosts of Halloweens Past”– our homemade costumes over the years.

Enjoy!

2018 – The Incredibles Family – Sam’s idea. I was so excited to dress up as a family unit I didn’t even mind that every other family was The Incredibles that year as well. I found my shirt at Walmart for $4 when I was there looking for a red one. So technically that was store bought. But the pajama suits were awesome, and after Halloween I just took off the felt and had them made into their Christmas pajamas with vinyl!

2017 (part one) – Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Snowflake the dolphin -I was all about this, but I clearly struggled with the dolphin. At the last minute (school party day) Sam said he hated it. He wore it that one day and was very against the idea of putting this tutu on again for Halloween night! He said wanted to be a pirate instead. See part two.

2017 (part two) – Pirate and Parrot – Luckily we had pirate costume materials on hand and he was a happy guy. I had a day to come up with Tom’s otherwise I may have caved and bought him a costume. I went with some felt and a onesie I had on hand for an attempt at a parrot sidekick.

2016 – Shark and Scuba Diver – This is my favorite kid costume we’ve done. Unfortunately Sam had just kicked the paci habit and two week old Tom’s scuba tank mouth piece was made out of one… Jealous shark!

2015 – Astronaut with Mission Control parents – Complete with a rocket ship wagon with lights! I call this level of dedication “we only have one kid.”

2014 – Mrs. Doubtfire and Grumpy Cat – Mrs. Doubtfire just because it’s one of my favorites. Grumpy Cat because he didn’t want to dress up, ha!

2013 – Tom Hanks from Castaway and Wilson the volleyball -I spent several nights in a row paper mache-ing that volleyball…talk about having time on your hands! I can’t remember where we borrowed the wig. My mom randomly had the ice skates. This is my favorite couples costume we’ve done!

2011 and 2012 (I think) – Billy Mays and a container of Oxiclean AND Squints and Wendy Peffercorn – We were out to win some costume contests these years! Best friend to dress up with…we were also Harry Potter and a witch once I just can’t find it.

2009 and 2010 (or some college years?) – Orbit Gum Girl and Flight Attendant – These were the costumes put together by the vintage store in my college town. Every October they would transform the basement of their store into a costume rental place. They would pair vintage things and safety pin on the name of the costume. It was always so creative and so much fun to see what they came up with!

Growing up I can recall a homemade pizza costume, a homemade french fry costume with friends (we were three fries in a little pack) and a homemade tooth fairy costume. They are some of my favorites!

I hope my boys always want me to make theirs.

This year Sam is dead set on “Vampire Bat” and has been for months. Tom changes his mind often. I think he has zeroed in on “Daddy Lion” (as opposed to another idea he has, “Baby Lion”) but I’m not starting on his until I know for sure. Captain America, a Cheetah, a Swamp Monster, and Batman have all been tossed around as well.

Also, these last nine months I knew I’d have an infant at Halloween and yet I still have no ideas for Henry…

I was secretly hoping the boys would want us to be a family of Power Rangers…but there’s always next year!