10/20/04
What
About the Kiddos?
By: Kristi Bench
That
is the question I keep getting in response to our last few
articles. Seems
like everyone is enjoying the decor tips, but they are interested
in a few ideas for the kids, so here we go.
As for crafty costumes, here are a few simple ideas to try.
Send
them as a hanging plant. I know it sounds strange,
but it really is cute, and easy. I did this costume for
Cooper a few years ago, and it turned out really cute. It
is a very easy costume to make, all you will need is: a large
wicker basket or laundry basket, some jute rope, some silk flowers,
a coat hanger and glue.
The
first step is to take the basket and cut the bottom out of
it. You will then want to take your silk flowers and
greenery and glue them all over the basket, as well as standing
up out of the top of it around the edges. Be sure to leave
the sides free of flowers to allow for the arms to hang down. Next
take your jute rope and tie two shoulder straps onto the basket. You
will want the basket to hang somewhat freely so the little ones
dont trip while trying to walk, so make sure it doesnt hang down
too low. If it appears to be too long, just sinch up the
shoulder straps. Then if you have a little girl, you can
use one of her head bands, if a boy, try an old ball cap; but
you are going to take the coat hanger and shape it into a hook(you
will probably need to cut one in half so it wont be too big). But
once you have it in a hook shape, then attach it to the head
band or hat. Now once you dress your little one in green
clothes, they have a precious little costume to show off. One
other tip: Have
them carry a water pitcher to put their candy in, it just adds
to the cuteness of the outfit.
Another
quick idea is a bunch of grapes. I actually
did this one myself a few years ago, and it worked out great. It
is really cute on the little ones. Simply take either a
green or purple sweat suit, and blow up matching balloons. For
a child you will probably need about 20 4-5" balloons,
for an adult either use larger balloons, or increase the quantity. Then
once you have all of your balloons inflated, simply use mini
safety pins and attach them to the "shirt" only. You just
pin them through the very end past where you have tied them. You
don't want to pin them on pants, as you would have to completely
undress and redress everytime you get in and out of the car,
or restroom, not too much fun. So
once you have them all over the shirt, you can even pin on
some silk greenery and maybe some real grapevine if you have
any. Then be sure to where an under shirt, as you will
want to remove the shirt in the car, etc. This one is a
lot of fun, especially if you paint your face to match. You
will look like the fruit of the loom guy!!
And
then lastly for the kiddos, give them something unusual to
carry all their loot home in. I know they have those
plastic pumpkins and all, which is usually what Cooper prefers,
but try crafting your own idea to match the costume. For
instance, if you have a fairy princess, she needs to have a bag
covered in jewels and fru fru. You can purchase n inexpensive
canvas bag just about anywhere, and let your princess help you
dress it up with beads, and glitter paint, maybe even some
boa feathers. Once Halloween is over it can always be used
to keep toys or dress up clothes in.
If
you have a young man wanting to be a construction
worker, have him use one of the black metal lunch boxes you see
all over construction sites. It will add to the uniqueness
of the costume. He can decorate it as well, by adding his
name or even drawing picutes of hammers, and saws all over the
lunch box. Then once again, after Halloween, this would
make a great storage for his play tools, or hot wheels.
So
there, I hope these are some tips to help you get the little
ones into the spirit for Halloween. I wont be getting to
design a costume for Cooper this year, I let him decide
who to be and after he informed me he wanted to be Buzz Lightyear,
I decided buying a costume would be much easier then trying to
make it. But I know he will be the cutest little Buzz Lightyear
ever. Well have fun crafting, and until next time... Happy
Decorating.
