HALLOWEEN
It's big news: Your costume
October 29, 2009
Halloween is in two days and you've received a last-minute invitation to a party. What to do?
Why not look to the news for inspiration? After all, everyone will understand costumes such as "garbage strike," Balloon Boy or even Michael Jackson. Some of the most clever costumes rely upon current events to tickle others' senses of humour.
Once you've made your choice, make a list of what you will need. Tick off items you already have and shop for the rest. Value Village is open late for Halloween procrastinators – but it's crowded. Drugstores, hobby or art stores and Goodwill are other great spots to pick up what's missing.
Decking yourself out as Michael Jackson is easy. Basically, it means
raiding your child's – or your own – closet. Military jackets are in
right now and so are skinny jeans. Score! Other items such as white
sweat socks, your dad's fedora and an orphan glove are probably kicking
around in your kids' tickle trunks. Even hair gel for that slicked down
look is lurking in your teenager's bathroom cupboard.
Michael Jackson
Check List
1. Military or band jacket
2. White tube socks
3. Black skinny jeans
4. Single glove
5. Fedora
6. Penny loafers
Homework
Check out www.youtube.com, type in Michael Jackson and Moonwalk to practise your own moonwalk, thus adding authenticity to your costume.
Garbage strike
Disguising yourself as a bag of garbage is a no-brainer. Most homes store enough junk to create a temporary dump site.
Check List
1. Small beige recycling bin to bring beer
2. Garbage bag with drawstring closure
3. Cardboard egg crate
4. Elastic thread
5. Plastic rats and flies
6. Double-sided tape
Costume Assembly
Carefully cut one armhole on each side of bag near the top. Cut two leg holes on the bottom of the bag.
Cut long piece of elastic thread into two equal pieces.
Cut
small hole in each side of egg crate and thread elastic through hole
and knot on inside of egg crate. Wear on your head, like a hat.
Carefully get into garbage bag putting arms and legs through holes. Secure plastic ties loosely around neck.
To make bag bulge out like "real" garbage, stuff with newpapers until bag fills out.
With double-sided tape, afix flies to bag and place rat coming out of neck.
Balloon Boy
Falcon Heene – a.k.a. Balloon Boy – scared us all when we thought he
had slipped the bonds of Earth and travelled aloft in a homemade
balloon. We later found out he was safe at home in the attic. While
details of that headline-grabbing day are turning out to be full of hot
air, Falcon's costume is very easy to make, using the barest essentials.
Check List
1. Silver mylar balloon with string.
2. Cardboard box
3. Piece of paper
4. Tape
5. Magic marker
6. Business cards with email, cellphone and land-line numbers
Costume Assembly
Cut
hole in bottom of box along with one armhole on either side. Write
"Stay in the attic, Falcon" with marker on piece of paper and tape to
the front of the box. Loop string, tied to your balloon, through your
pant belt loop. Have business cards available in case a reality TV
executive is invited to the party.
More on the balloon-boy costume.
Retail route
Even with homemade costumes, one has to go the retail route for
certain items. Goodwill and Value Village are excellent destinations
for used jeans, jackets and other pieces of clothing you might not have
for your costume.
Value Village, dollar stores and toy stores often sell novelty plastic rats and flies for a nominal amount.
Finally,
many party stores sell Mylar balloons of all kinds, and plastic thread
can be purchased at hobby or sewing stores such as Fabricland.
Toronto Star