My fourteen year old son has decided to do some trick-or-treating this year. It’s fine by me, but I’ve apparently run out of the inspiration and energy I had for costumes when he was younger. I’d like to put together something quick and easy, hopefully using stuff I already have laying around, that’s recognizable as a costume. (He says he’ll just go as a bum, but he’s hazy on how that would differ from his everyday appearance).
Any ideas?
Hmmm… Dollar stores are popular here for putting together costumes on a tight budget. Got any of those in your neck of the woods?
My plan is to make a bullethole out of latex and stick it on my forehead with spirit gum. They only take like a few hours to make.
Shred some old clothes, add dirt and something that will look like blood, a little make-up, and instant zombie. After that it’s all in the attitude.
Put a cooking pot on your head like a hat and go out as a pot head.
Go to a 7-11 and buy a bunch of snacks, a Weekly World News, some Twinkies, a Slurpee, etc. and CrazyGlue it all to a sweatshirt. Go as a convenience store.
I’ve decided to be the ultimate in laziness this year and go as the black hat guy from xkcd. All you need is a hat and maybe a journal.
What I wanted to be this year…
Items Required: glasses, striped gray/blue shirt, khakis, golf ball retriever, brown mop hair wig, maybe a little exta padding in the shirt.
Star Wars Kid
Couple of years ago I used one I stole from another Doper’s post – wear a black turtleneck, and sling a blank white signboard like one can buy at a craft store over your back (I punched holes in it a ran a strap through it and put the strap around my neck).
When people asked me “what are you supposed to be?” I’d strike a pose and ask “What do you think I am?” and then reveal that I was a Rorschach inkblot.
I still like the MST3K idea of wearing black, gluing popcorn, empty soda cups, candy wrappers, etc. to yourself and going as the floor of a movie theater.
There were pics from Dragoncon of two guys in Stormtrooper helmets and boxer shorts, with cardboard signs saying “TK-421[/2] - have you seen my uniform?” Pretty cute.
I took an empty cereal box and put a bunch of plastic knives half-sticking out of it. I hung it around my neck with a string. I was a cereal killer.
Oh, now *I *want to dress up as an inkblot!
I like some of these other ideas too, but I’ll just show the thread to the boy and see what he thinks. Please keep ‘em coming!
Just add water?
My husband once covered his palms in hair. It was cheap and, uh, meaningful. Though I might not recommend it to a younger teen.
I like the cereal killer idea.
Wrap entire head and neck in gauze, leaving small holes for eyes, nostrils, mouth. Wear gloves, sunglasses and fedora. Invisible Man.
If he’s going with a group of people, have them all dress in their winter clothes. They can go as Christmas Carolers. When people answer the door, start singing.
A naked guy on roller skates = pull toy! 
OK, maybe not the best idea for a teenager…
A sheet with a bunch of holes cut in it - a Charlie Brown ghost.
White shirt, white pants, white gloves, wearing a Hefty bag filled with wadded newspaper = “White Trash”.
I got some cheap iron-on letters and put “Go Ceilings!” on the front of a t-shirt for my son. He was a ceiling fan.
14 years old is too old to be trick or treating. This holiday tradition is for little kids.