Let’s hear your cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas

I’m going to pretend that Cheryl from Smitten didn’t say she doesn’t like Halloween, just so we can maintain our professional relationship. But it’s not going to be easy. I don’t know if I have the words to express how much I love Halloween. Fortunately, I have the pictures, which speak for themselves.

2005: Pan Am Flight Attendants

Yes, that’s a fully functioning beverage cart, which Petra and I constructed out of small metal shelves. The Pan Am wings and carry-on bags are authentic, from eBay.

2006: Car Hop Waitresses

Our friend Yael was a peacock. Petra and I had wooden trays with food, custom name tags, and little order pads.

Oh, and roller skates.

2007: Rockettes

Of course there are pictures of us doing the signature kick. But damned if I can find one. (Here’s what we were going for.)

2008: Chickens

Martha Stewart imagined this costume on a slightly smaller scale. I think it works on grown-ups, too.

I wish I could tell you what we have up our sleeves this year, but we have a don’t-tell policy, so you’re just going to have to wait and see.

We also have a no-expense spared policy (clearly), which I’m not even going to try to justify. This year’s costume will probably run us around $150, which I’d say is average. I know it’s a lot for one night. But I didn’t use my (still-frozen!) credit cards to pay for any of it, so that counts for something, right?

If you’re more sensible about your Halloween spending, here are 13 ways to save this October 31 from the CEO of CouponShack.

Or get inspired by the low-budget costumes that were submitted to the American Apparel Halloween Costume Contest by crafty kids just like you and me. Clicking through the old contest entries is kind of annoying right now, since you can’t enlarge the photos, but the itty-bitty pictures should be enough to get your creative juices flowing. Here are some of my easy and adorable faves:

• Crayons (fourth row down)
• Giraffe (fourth row down)
• Grapes (second row down, with cheese—that Jane Fonda’s pretty great, too)
• Shark (top row—I would have added some felt “teeth” (like these) around the hood)
• Jack and the beanstalk (bottom row—note the small Jack on her leg)
• Coppertone baby (bottom row—LOL! If you don’t know what she’s going for, click here!)

So let’s hear your cute ’n’ cheap costume ideas. Or, if you’re a nutcase like me, your not-so-cheap ideas. Anyone else live have their costume almost finished? (Not to totally freak you out, but Petra and I already know what we’re dressing as next year.)

Need a little more October 31 inspiration?

• Is Halloween Basically Just an Excuse to Wear Awesome Lipstick?
• A Ghoul’s Guide to Halloween Costumes for Couples
• Halloween Costume Idea: Bella From Twilight
• Guess What Amber from Beauty Is Dressing Up as This Year!

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