Stunning your friends with the best Halloween costume is a never-ending arm's race. While everyone wants to go over the top with creative ideas, most of them will probably rack their brains and shell out more cash than they necessarily have to. This guide will help you figure out your killer costume plan, and even teach you some tricks on getting it all together.

• How to Make a Captain Jack Sparrow Halloween Costume

• How to Make an Alice in Wonderland Costume

• How to Have the Best Halloween Costume at the Party

• How to Make an Amy Winehouse Costume

• Printable Pumpkin Carving Patterns

• How to Make a Robot Costume

• How to Make a Princess Leia Halloween Costume

• How to Make Money on Halloween

• How to Make a Michael Jackson Costume

• How to Do an Evil Laugh

Photo by [http://www.sxc.hu/photo/851578 Sophie

• Coming up with a decent Halloween costume is one thing. Coming up with the best Halloween costume at the party is another. You want your costume to be memorable and unique, which means spending more time brainstorming and constructing your costume than you would if you were falling back on the sexy cat or pirate costume again this year. Don't worry. A little creativity and some care in execution go a long way to making the best costume ever, and you don't need to break the bank doing it.

Stunning your friends with the best Halloween costume is all about being creative and resourceful. While everyone wants to go over the top with creative ideas, most of them will probably rack their brains and shell out more cash than they necessarily have to. This guide will help you settle on a killer costume plan, and even teach you some tricks on getting it all together.

Image by [http://www.someecards.com/upload/halloween/ive_put_more_thought_into_my_halloween_costume.html someecards.com

• Here are a few things to take into consideration before you put together your greatest Halloween creation to date:

1. Set Aside Time to Plan: Don't count on last minute inspiration. Odds are you'll need some time to shop and build your costume before the big night.
2. Create a Budget: Do you want your costume to be a thrift store and duct tape creation, or do you want to invest in a costume rental? Knowing what you're willing to spend will help you hone in on the perfect costume.
3. Consider Your Context: Think about the party you're attending. Who's throwing it? Where is it taking place? Remember, the best costume at the West Hollywood Halloween party is going to be far different from the best costume at a family-friendly, neighborhood block party.

Put some time into constructing your costume. (Creative Commons photo by Fuzzy Gerdes)

• This is the fun part. You should spend just as much time brainstorming your costume idea as you do assembling the actual costume. To have the best costume at the party, you have to throw out the witch and cowboy cliches and think outside the box. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Some of the most inspired and memorable costumes are ripped the headlines of tabloids and serious news sources alike. Scour gossip sites and recent news stories for some clever, timely ideas. These costumes can be a bit cheeky, so keep your audience in mind.

1. Richard Heene: The aspiring "science detective"—and accused hoaxter—could float away with the prize for most timely costume.
2. Jon or Kate Gosselin: For better or worse, these two have been among the year's most obsessed-about personalities.
3. Michael Vick: He's out of prison and back in the NFL. Some gruesome fake dog bites may be in order, along with the Philadelphia Eagles jersey.
4. Michael Jackson: With proper attention to detail, a tasteful tribute to the late King of Pop could be inspirational.

Try video games for inspiration. (Creative Commons photo by Fleur-Design)

• There are literally hundreds of places to find great costume ideas. Even a seemingly unoriginal idea can result in a great costume so long as you put a little time and care into it.

1. Sports Costumes: Sports teams, mascots, cheerleaders, sports stars, obscure sports players.
2. Video Game Costumes: Super Mario Brothers, Halo, Pac Man, Lara Croft, etc. Let your favorite video game be your guide.
3. Comic Book Costumes: Get dressed up as Wolverine, Catwoman, or Hellboy.
4. Uniforms: Uniforms are a great fallback because they're inexpensive and can often be found in thrift stores. Great ideas include dressing as a Referee, Sailor, or even a Hooters Waitress!
5. Star Wars Costumes: If it was good enough for when you were eight, it's good enough for you now. Become Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, or a Storm Trooper.

• Conceptual or word play costumes takes abstract ideas and render them literally. The result can be very punny. These types of costumes are clever and, more often than not, can be made at home from clothes in your closet and common household materials.

1. Freudian Slip: A slip with the word "Freud" written on it.
2. Iron Curtain: A golf iron over your shoulders with a curtain attached.
3. Black Eyed Peas: Give yourself a black eye with make-up, and put the letter "P" on your shirt with tape.
4. Holy Cow: Cow costume plus halo and wings!

Consider a film or TV-inspired costume like Optimus Prime. (Creative Commons photo by Joe Momma)

• Love TV and movies? Try a film or boob tube-inspired costume. The trick to pulling this type of costume off is executing it well. Choose a character you physically resemble or who has a signature costume piece or prop.

1. The Greatest American Hero: Buy the t-shirt and invest in some red tights. Believe it or not, you're done.
2. A Clockwork Orange: All white, a bowler hat and false eyelashes - one eye only.
3. The Royal Tenenbaums: A great, easy to pull off group costume. Red track suit. Cordoury jacket and sweatband. Faux fur jacket and heavy eyeliner.
4. Point Break: Nixon mask and board shorts.
5. Risky Business: White boxers, Ray Bans and socks.
6. Nacho Libre: You can never go wrong with a Mexican wrestling mask.
7. Hunter S. Thompson: Part film, part literary costume. Easy to pull off... if you can find the cigarette holder.

Group costumes require a little more time, but they're worth it. (Photo by Mahalo)

• Group costumes may require a little more time and coordination to put together, but they're also a lot of fun. Anything worth doing is worth doing with friends!

1. The Marx Brothers: Or, with a Halloween twist, the dead Marx Brothers. Give your shy friend the horn.
2. Ghostbusters: Who you gonna call?
3. The Justice League: Let everyone live out their superhero fantasies.
4. The Village People: Take all the standard Halloween costumes, put them together and you get the Village People.
5. Dancing Inmates: Viral video superstars!
6. Clue: Take the board game as your inspiration with Miss Scarlet, Col. Mustard and Prof. Plum.
7. Conservative Pundits: If you don't mind risking some hostility, gather a group of friends to wind-up the crowd as Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin.
8. The View: A bunch of gals, or guys in drag, could make a stunning entrance as Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.

• Just because you're impersonating someone—or something—else doesn't mean you need to submerge your own identity. Take advantage of both your talents and physical attributes.

1. Your Charlie Brown costume is all the more impressive if you're bald.
2. A star turn as Shirley Temple would bring even more smiles to the room if you happen to be a tapdancer.
3. If you have an ample chin, you're all set for prime time as Jay Leno!
4. Your Bruce Springsteen costume is way more boss if you actually play the guitar.
5. A certain prominence of the ears can't hurt your impression of the current President of the United States.

Finish your scary costume with a creepy prop. (Creative Commons photo by Rebecca Searle)

• If you're willing to put in the time, an impressively-constructed costume can steal the show. Handy with paints and cardboard? How about a giant Pac-Man costume, or The Karate Kid's shower costume? And, can you really go wrong with a handmade Transformer costume?

• Clever costume ideas can come from anywhere including everyday household objects, toys and even automotive accessories.

1. Garden Gnome: Red point hat and a blue coat.
2. Paper Dolls: Clothes with tabs on it in the front, underpants in the back.
3. Tree Air Freshner: Keep yourself and your auto fresh.

• Scary costumes are the best costumes when they're executed well or with a twist.

1. Consider a witty, macabre twist or word play for your costume like Little Dead Riding Hood.
2. Choose a creepy prop - a plastic doll's head or dead flowers.
3. Do your hair and make-up to ghoulish perfection.
4. Don't skimp on the gore, and you're ready to scare the pants off your friends.

Give typical costumes a twist like Star Wars as Legos! (Creative Commons photo by Comiquero.com)

• Part of the fun of Halloween and wearing a costume in general is getting to be something you aren't. Defy your friends' expectations by dressing as the complete opposite of your everyday persona. The element of surprise may make your costume the best one at the party, and you'll have fun experiencing a different side of yourself.

• There's nothing wrong with going as a witch, a pirate or a sexy cat, but to be the best costume at the party, you're going to have to put some effort into the execution.

1. Check out the top adult and children's costumes from last year at the National Retail Federation website.
2. Think about an unexpected angle or twist you could give your costume idea.
3. Consider props, and pay attention to detail.
4. Take a creative approach to your hair and make-up.

Your costume should be recognizable. (Photo by Mahalo)

• Execution is key when it comes to making a great costume. You can make up for an unoriginal idea through great execution, but an original idea is worthless without it. As you're developing a game plan for pulling your costume together, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Legibility: Legibility is the single most important element of your costume. People must know who or what you are instantly. If your costume requires a lengthy explanation, than it's probably not the best costume.
2. Completeness: Don't forget the essentials. If you're going as Gilligan from Gilligan's Island and forget the white fishing hat, than you're just a dude in a red shirt.
3. Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the details - hair, make-up and accessories. Your pirate costume is a hundred times better with the eye patch and peg leg.
4. Practicality: If you want to be the best, practicality sometimes goes out the window, but this is still Halloween. You're supposed to be having fun, and you'll be having way more fun if you can go to the bathroom. Be sure that your costume is comfortable and manageable.

• The best costume ever doesn't need to be the most expensive, just the most creative. Here's the start of a good Halloween shopping game plan:

Don't forget the props and accessories. (Creative Commons photo by Scol22)

1. Make a List: Because you'll probably be hitting more than one store, it's a good idea to bring a list with you. Don't forget to include the props!
2. Check Your Closet: The best place to start assembling your costume is in your own closet. What do already own? What would you be willing to alter with a pair of safety scissors and a roll of duct tape?
3. Hit the Thrift Store: Thrift stores are a great place to assemble your Halloween costume for next to nothing. Old suits, out-of-date fashions, retired uniforms. There's no end to the joy that is thrifting. Check out the Thrift Shopper store locator for a store near you.
4. Hit the Army Surplus Store: Need a uniform, jumpsuit or some military accessories, G.I. Joe? Try an Army Surplus store.
5. Hit the Dollar Store: Before you start looking for professional props, check out a dollar store or the non-Halloween aisle at your local Wal-Mart or Target. Get creative with turning cheap objects into Halloween gold.
6. Hit the Fabric Store: If you're crafty, you can always sew your own costume. Fabric stores have loads of Halloween patterns, but even if you don't know your way around a thread and needle, felt and velcro will do the trick.
7. Hit the Halloween Store: Unless you're rolling in dough and want to rent a costume, the Halloween store should be your last stop. This is a great place to pick up hard-to-fine props, cheap wigs and scary make-up. See Mahalo's Guide to Halloween Costumes for online retailers, price comparisons and coupons.

Have a safe and fun Halloween! (Creative Commons photo by John Carl Johnson)

• With a little extra time and consideration, you're bound to have a great costume, but don't stress over it too much. Halloween is about having fun with your friends and family. The best costume is ultimately the one you had the best time making and wearing come Halloween night. So, get creative, stay safe and have a Happy Halloween!

• • Mahalo's Guide to Halloween Costumes
  • Mahalo's Guide to the Best Halloween Costumes
  • Mahalo's Guide to Halloween Masks
• Costume Idea Zone
• BuzzFeed: Pop Culture Halloween Costumes
• Best Week Ever: Top 10 Topical Halloween Costumes Everyone Will Be Wearing (October 18, 2007)
• About.com: Halloween Costume Ideas for Groups
• About.com: Make Your Own Halloween Costume
• Costumzee: The 100 Most Popular Costumes
• The National Retail Federation: Top Halloween Costumes for Kids and Adults 2006
• eHow.com: How to Create a Costume from Thrift Store Clothes
• eHow.com: How to Create a Costume from a Box
• eHow.com: How to Create a Unique Costume
• HowToDoThings.com: How To Choose a Halloween Costume
• HowToDoThings.com: How To Choosen Halloween Masks
• wikiHow: How to Choose a Cool Halloween Costume

• Introduction
• Step 1: Before You Get Started
• Step 2: Come Up With A Killer Idea
• Step 3: Things To Keep In Mind
• Step 4: Make Your Costume
• Conclusion
• Resources