| Halloween is approaching fast and it's time to start | | | | 2. Tell a bunch of moms you know. Create a simple |
| planning what your kids will wear trick or treating. If it | | | | flyer and hand it out at your child's preschool, |
| were up to the kids - they would have the latest | | | | elementary school, church, playdates, mom groups, |
| character costumes that will send your wallet into | | | | neighbors, etc. The more families involved the better |
| hiding. Well here's a creative solution to help save you | | | | the selection for everyone. If you only have a few |
| and other families you know a bunch of money. | | | | people participating make sure the kids are all about |
| It's called a Halloween Costume Swap Party. | | | | the same size - so everyone gets a new costume in |
| Now don't get worried - I'm not talking anything | | | | return. |
| complicated or fancy. Just a simple get together | | | | 3. Have everyone bring their costumes early, so you |
| where families can swap costumes. | | | | can sort the costumes by size and gender. |
| Let's face it kids grow fast! You buy them a | | | | Examplesinclude: baby, toddler, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, |
| Halloween costume one year and the next year it's | | | | teen, adult. When a family drops off a costume be |
| too small. If you're lucky you can get 2 years out of a | | | | sure to give them a ticket. One ticket for every |
| costume or maybe hand it down to a smaller child. Plus | | | | costume gives them one ticket to pick a new |
| the price of costumes have gone up dramatically in | | | | costume. For example if the Jones' bring 3 costumes |
| recent years. Most thrift stores sell costumes for $5 or | | | | they will receive 3 tickets and later get to choose 3 |
| more and retail stores sell them for $14.99 and up. It's | | | | new costumes. |
| not unusual to find children's Halloween costumes | | | | 4. Schedule a set meeting time for everyone to come |
| costing $39.99 each. Ouch! | | | | together and pick a new costume. Maybe ask some |
| Here's how the costume swap party works. | | | | older kids to offer face painting or to set up a coloring |
| 1. Decide on a location. You can use your home, ask | | | | table for little kids. It will keep them occupied while older |
| your church to use one of their rooms, even | | | | siblings are choosing a costume. |
| someone's back yard (weather permitting), etc. Any | | | | This idea is simple and can work for almost anyone. |
| place large enough to hold a group of people and all | | | | Save some money, get together with friends and |
| the costumes. | | | | have fun swapping costumes. |