Make everyone come in a home-made costume, not store bought ones, and turn the disastrous results into a theme party. Not everyone can be Martha Stewart when it comes to talent. Make this a family project that will bring your hours of quality family time together.

To start off, make your own invitations. The kids can help you do this. Make the invitations appear not-too-perfect. Don’t try to cover up mistakes or correct goof-ups. That’s the whole idea! This would at least give your guests a clue about the theme of your party. Ask your guests to come in costumes they made themselves. Store bought costumes would be a hug no-no. If they don’t finish it in time, all the better! Let them know you would be giving out prizes for the worst home-made costume, and the best made costume. Either way, they are sure to try their best to win any prize.

Start by having your kids make their own costumes, but perhaps the littlest ones would need your helping hand. Give them no sewing needed projects. Have on hand lots of school glue, water-based markers, cardboard boxes, yards of old blankets and bed sheets and other what-have-yous. Give them permission to use old and outgrown clothes. Most items you already have can be used to make the most imaginative costume. Now is the time to use and recycled household items you’ve been meaning to dispose. Read the rest of this entry »