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It's that time of year again. If you need a last-minute, low-budget, original costume, here are some tips to make your Halloween a treat. All you need is a couple of bucks and a little ingenuity and you can turn just about anything into a one-of-a-kind costume.

• Look No Further Than Your Closet. Everyone has that stash of old clothes that don't fit or have gone out of style but you can't seem to part with. Well, haul them out now because Halloween is the perfect excuse to get creative. Transform your child into a bum with an oversized flannel shirt, baggy pants, and a gardening hat, or use old scarves and a long, flowing skirt to make a gypsy costume. Your closet can be an incredible resource if you just know how to use it and your imagination.

• Thrift Stores For The Thrifty Although you may have to hunt and dig, thrift stores are a great place to unleash your creative juices when it comes to putting together a dazzling and cheap costume. Don't expect to find the perfect costume. You may find pieces of a great costume, but its up to you to put them together. Don't be afraid to bring out the hot glue gun or paint and add those finishing touches. Get resourceful and you can create just about anything. For a bit of extra flare, consider theme Halloween costumes. Gather a group of friends and go as "Alice in Wonderland" or "The Wizard of Oz characters."

• Make Up Your Makeup Skip the craft stores for Halloween makeup and do it yourself! It's easier than you think to transform your children, or even yourself, into a hideous monster. Add abrasions, scratches, scars, bruises, or black eyes to your face and you can terrify just about anyone. Most of the ingredients for halloween face paint are simple and you can find them in your own kitchen. If you have cornstarch, food coloring, cold cream, and water, you have the basis for homemade face paint. So, if you just can't think of a costume or you can't make it to the store before the big day, this is a last minute trick that can make any ensemble, no matter how extravagant or simple, distinct.

•Hide Behind a Mask If you are an adult and you think Halloween is a children's holiday, think again! This is your chance to get innovative and have some fun too. Head to the nearest craft or novelty store and purchase a plain eye mask. While you're there, stop by the fabric section and pick up a few fabric flower petals or leaves. Simply glue the petals, leaves, or any other item you can think of in an appealing arrangement and Viola!- you have an instant Halloween costume. This could also work if you need a quick fix for a costume party. Put the mask on, and you are instantly transformed into something mysterious and exotic.

Written by Alexandra Kummernes

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