This year the only thing that may be scarier than a great halloween costume is the current economic forecast! If your household is feeling the affects of the recession, you may want to consider passing on that exotic (and expensive) costume rental or buying brand new costumes for all the kids. With a little creativity and imagination, it is likely that you can put together a unique costume simply with items you already have at home, or can find cheap at a thrift store, and be the hit of the party. Not only will this save precious dollars, but the use of recycled materials is eco-friendly and benefits the planet as well.

Here are ten costume ideas for budget-minded people this Halloween:

1. Mother Nature. Use an old skirt and blouse and adhere a bunch of silk (or even real) leaves, small twigs, flowers, etc. to the clothing. Accent it was a fake bird on your shoulder. If you want to get more exotic, create a hat with a birds nest on it. 
2. Christmas Present. Find a cardboard box that fits nicely around your midsection. Cover it in wrapping paper and a bow, make a couple shoulder straps with ribbon and sling it over your shoulders!
3. G.I. Joe or Jane. Most of us have some sort of camoflauge clothes (or know someone from the military and can borrow). If not, thrift and surplus stores usually have plenty of cheap ones available. Use camo face paint and you’ll be incognito!
4. Cereal Killer. This one is cute; take empty cereal boxes (can use the mini-type) and slit them, insert plastic knives and pin them to a white t-shirt. Use some red paint to simulate dripping blood.
5. Dirty Laundry. Take an old laundry basket and cut a hole in the bottom big enough to slide over and rest on your hips. Fill it with dirty laundry as desired!
6. Bag of Dog Food. Hopefully you own a dog and if you purchase the large 4o+ pound bags of food, just empty out the bag and slit the top and bottom of the bag and slide it over your midsection (you might want to sponge out the crumbs). Put a dog collar around your neck and a bone in your mouth, and you are good to go!
7. A Bunch of Grapes or Jelly Beans. A simple costume involving a large clear plastic trash bag and balloons. Cut holes for your legs in the bag bottom and a couple arm holes. Stuff appropriate colored balloons in the bag, tie bag loosely above shoulders with a ribbon or drawstring.
8. A Ghost. This one of course is obvious, popular, too easy, but bears repeat. Cut some holes in an old white sheet and off you go! Make it a little unique even, and “dress up” your ghost with some eye-makeup or lipstick as well.
9. Static Cling. Dress in all one color (black or white works best) and simply pin miscellaneous clothing items (such as socks, underwear, etc.) and dryer sheets to your outfit. 
10. Unemployed Person. No costume required, just make a sign and put it around your neck and dress as usual, LOL.

Readers, do you have additional ideas for easy, cheap homemade halloween costumes? If so, share them by leaving a comment!

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