A couple years ago, I was getting the kids ready for Halloween and my kids asked me, “What are you going to be?”

Your chaperone? I don’t know. I hadn’t really planned on dressing up. The last time I had gotten dressed up for Halloween was before I even had kids when my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, and I went to a bonfire down by the river. I had borrowed an Egyptian goddess costume from my sister-in-law and my husband wore a blond, mullet wig. I guess he was a hillbilly. We must’ve looked like Moses and the Queen down by the Nile. Kidding.

The truth is I was always so busy dressing the kids up and making sure they had their costumes that I really didn’t think about myself.

But here I was, fifteen minutes before I had to head out the door and make all the rounds to family before we journeyed to our trick-or-treating spot, and I had decided that yes, I do want to dress up!

It was like the little kid in me got all giddy and ran around the house trying to throw a costume together. But luckily, unlike the eighties when I actually was a kid, we have Google now, so I typed in “diy at home costumes.” A few minutes later, I had found the perfect costume.

A scarecrow.

I put on my tall, brown boots. Grabbed my husband’s flannel, checkered shirt and my large, straw beach hat. I opened my make-up drawer and dug out some copper eyeshadow that I had never worn which made for a great scarecrow nose.

A few minutes later I arose from the bedroom fully scarecrowed. It’s embarrassing to say, but…I was super proud of my costume.

I loved the idea of just throwing together what you already had and making due.

My kids and family loved it, too!

I love the simplicity of not having to run out and buy a whole outfit. Growing up, a lot of our costumes were done this way. In second grade, my mom made my witch costume out of a black trash bag. I was also a “punk rocker” for 3 or 4 straight years. I just put on a bunch of colorful, wacky clothes and spray painted my hair pink. I remember my mom dressing up one year in my dad’s camo. Homemade costumes were the style back then. Oh, and plastic masks that didn’t have air holes.

Last year I was a witch and this year I will be a cat. I try to just use the things I have around the house to make it work but I’m not against buying a piece or two from the store to complete the look. But, mostly it’s just FUN! My kids love it, too.

So, if you haven’t dressed up in a while, I’m encouraging you to WEAR THE COSTUME!

Do you have a bunch of yarn sitting in that basket in the corner of your room because you once had hopes of learning how to crochet something? (Just me?) Put it on under a straw hat and wear your prairie-ist dress (we all have one) and go as a rag doll. Use some blush to make your cheeks really rosy and some eye liner to make some freckles.

Raid your kids’ toy box for all those fake, plastic weapons and put on a pair of camo pants. Slick your hair back into a bun and go as G.I Jane.

Matter of fact, don’t even think too much about it. Just do like I did and 15 minutes before you have to go, just throw something together and make it work. That’s the fun part anyway.

 

 

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Sherry White

Sherry White writes about the messiness of life, parenting, and faith at her blog The Messy Christian. She tries to add her own brand of humor and insight into everyday issues we all face, reminding us that even though we find ourselves in countless messes, God’s grace lights the way. She would be thrilled if you follower her on Facebook and Instagram.

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