[ot-caption title=”Halloween will be here soon, so it’s time to get those decorative costumes ready. (via Jessi Gross, sophomore)”]

[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]With Halloween right around the corner, finding the perfect costume is a priority. While there are many great choices available at stores for purchase, DIY Halloween costumes are less expensive and super easy to make. With a few materials and a dedicated attitude, you can make a costume that will amaze all who see it.

[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]Many people love dressing up in movie-themed costumes. When considering characters to dress up as from the movie Up, Carl or Russell seem like obvious choices. However, many people overlook one of the easiest and most creative Up-inspired costumes: Carl’s balloon house. To create this costume, you will need a few basic items: ten helium balloons with attached strings, a backpack, a cardboard box, and paint. First, tie the balloons together in a single knot. Next, tie this cluster of balloons to your backpack. Then, cut the cardboard box so that the top and bottom have openings wide enough for you to be able to slip it over your torso – this will be the makeshift house. Using paint, decorate the box with windows, a roof, and walls to create your house. Once the paint dries, you are ready to go! Just slip the cardboard house over your head so that it rests on your torso and put the backpack on to finish off the “Up balloon house” look.

[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]While you can buy a Jack-o-Lantern costume from Party City, it is much more fun to create the costume yourself. For this costume, you may even have all the items lying around at home: an orange t-shirt, black felt, fabric glue, black shorts, orange face paint, and a green headband. First, cut out the black felt in the shape of triangular eyes, a triangular nose, and a jagged mouth. Using the fabric glue, attach the felt shapes to the orange t-shirt to create the jack-o-lantern face. This super easy costume is almost complete! You just need to wear the green headband, which mimics a pumpkin stem, the black shorts, and the orange shirt with the jack-o-lantern face. The final touch is putting on orange face paint to bring the whole look together. And voila, you have a simple, fall-inspired costume!

[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]Although arduous, creating a gum ball machine costume is worth the intensive work. Things needed for this costume: silver and white duct tape, a black sharpie, colorful mini pom poms, a red skirt, a white (preferably strapless) top, and a red hat. First, tape the silver duct tape in a vertical, rectangular shape on the red skirt, mimicking the coin depository. Next, use the white duct tape to create a small square on top of the silver rectangle to represent the coin slot. With the black sharpie, write 25 ¢ on the white square. Then, use hot-glue to attach the pom poms to the white top, making sure to cover the entire top. For the final touch, wear a red hat to represent the cap. With the white top covered in pom poms, the red skirt with the coin mechanism, and the red hat, your gum ball machine costume will stand out in the crowd!
[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]DIY costumes are becoming increasingly popular and are a fun way to express yourself and get crafty at the same time. Although they require work, the finished product makes it worthwhile.  Whether you dress as the Up house, a jack-o-lantern, a gumball machine, or an alternative costume, your DIY costume will ensure that you have a fantastic Halloween this year!

Sources: Pinterest, Youtube (Channels: Paige Noelle, LaurDIY)