Whether making a spaceship, an alien or a nurse, deciding on homemade Halloween costumes can save funds over the cost of buying a manufacturer's item. Costumes have been made by moms in support of trick or treating children for many years. Moms and kids alike get get creative to come up with unique, homemade Halloween costume ideas.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/parenting/detail?blogid=29&entry_id=20736 In fact, the very first homemade costumes were made by the original celebrators of Halloween. On Samhain, the Celts dressed up in animal skins and heads to disguise themselves from the spirits of their ancestors.http://www1.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/346-10192007-1426430.html

Purchasing a Halloween costume from a retail store means many others could be wearing the same thing. By creating a handmade Halloween costume, the wearer can be sure that they will stand out.

A few ideas to make homemade Halloween costumes include using boxes to make robots, or signs, using tights or leotards as bases for costumes, and stocking ahead on clown type makeup to dress up the homemade costume.http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm

• Use tights or leotards to create animal costumes. Create a skunk by painting a white stripe down the back of a black leotard; create a bunny by sewing a large puff ball or pom-pom on the back of a leotard and create ears using a hairband; create a cat costume by creating a tale from material, stuffing and wire and tying it around the waist of someone wearing a leotard.http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm
• Use a cardboard box to create costumes such as a robot, juice boxes or other food items, playing cards, dice, and a Lego block. http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/halloween/cardboard_box_costumes.shtml
• Use old clothing or shop at a thrift store to create homemade costumes such as a hippie, disco dancer, military person, or a celebrity.http://www.stretcher.com/stories/961021a.cfm