Make yourself a last-minute DIY cactus costume
There’s a chill in the air, the smell of apples and cinnamon wafts from the kitchen (or a scented candle) and spiderwebs are artfully draped in the eaves. It can only mean one thing: Halloween season is upon us! There is a strong divide on this holiday — there are “Halloween people” who wear their Jack Skellington T-shirt year-round and wonder why it took the craft store until August 30 to start putting out the pumpkins, and then there are the people who the closest they get to dressing in costume is when they accidentally wear a red T-shirt and khakis to Target. What about the rest of us — the majority of people that want to watch a spooky movie or two, snack on some candy corn and maybe outfit themselves in a costume, if they remember in time? To those people we say, we have creative, fun and easy costume suggestions that will be better than throwing on a pair of ears from the dollar store with a shrug and an “Eh, good enough."
What makes for the best last-minute Halloween costume? The answer is something that that can be easily rustles up from things at home. By raiding the closet and gathering up stray household art supplies (with maybe an assist from some poster board bought last-minute at the drugstore) it's possible to be on the way to a costume that elicits smiles and not a “Wait, what are you supposed to be again?” These costumes work for adults, children, pets … anyone who is going somewhere and feeling festive, but only slightly. They also serve as inspiration for future Halloween costume ideas.
Every year, I have at least 10 amazing Halloween costume ideas on November 1, all of which are completely forgotten by the time Halloween rolls around the next year. Suddenly, it’s October 30 and I’m frantically examining what is already in my home that can be converted into a costume. Luckily, by looking at all the solid color shirts in my closet and mentally inventorying a smattering of pop culture, I can throw together two gnomes, one Daria and one Louise from Bob Burger’s all without breaking a sweat or planning anything in advance. So go forth and DIY a costume and people will have no idea that haven’t been planning it for months!
Cactus
Cacti are so on trend right now, of course they're showing up as a Halloween costume. This one in particular is especially easy to make. Take a large-knit green sweater and pull pipe cleaners through the gaps in the knit, twisting at the ends to give the cactus sweater some spikes. Top with a floral headband!
'The Office' Characters
From Prison Mike to Jim's three-hole punch Halloween look, The Office provides many Halloween costume ideas. What makes this show ideal for a last-minute DIY option is that the whole cast of characters can be cobbled together from business-casual work clothes already in the closet.
Scarecrow
This makeup-based tutorial illustrates tricks to create a scarecrow look that is pretty and festive. While it might not scare away any birds, the costume gives an excuse to wear those well-worn gardening duds out in the world.
Deviled Egg
This clever pun costume can be made with devil horns and a black shirt with an egg applique (made from yellow and white felt) sewn on (or hot glued or safety pinned). For those who may have an old devil Halloween costume laying around, use it for parts.
Pop Art Person
Halloween costumes can be a work of art! Painting the face with little dots and strong black lines can transform a person into pop art perfection.
'Mean Girls' Meme
Movies are great costume inspiration! Pay homage to a favorite movie by recreating a favorite scene. In this case, this costume references a line from Mean Girls that has been immortalized in GIF form.
Minion
Anyone who has accidentally worn a yellow shirt under overalls knows how easy it is to dress like a Minion. This costume takes things to the next level with this easy-to-make mask.
Nostalgic Cartoon Character
Cartoons make great last-minute DIY costumes because they normally just require solid color clothing that can be embellished with a bit of felt. Think of favorite childhood and/or current TV shows for a plethora of ideas like this Chuckie from Rugrats.
Instagram Influencer
Use an Instagram template (found here) to either show up as a "selfie" or put on some fave athleisure outfit and bring some #ad products along to be an Instagram influencer. Make sure to add thousands of likes and definitely carry some sponsored detox tea or a Fab Fit Fun box.
Tinder Profile
Swipe right on this easy DIY costume! Recreate a Tinder bio on some poster board and hope someone super likes the costume.
404 Error
This costume is DIY at its laziest and also at its cleverest. Tell everyone that THIS is the costume with the Internet-inspired joke.
Snapchat Filter
There's nothing quite like a Halloween costume where one wears one's own clothes. Print out the Snapchat template found here, wear a fake flower crown to become the Pretty Filter IRL.
Dress head to toe in Twitter blue and the costume is halfway there to representing the most concise social network for Halloween. Bonus points: carry a printed-out favorite Tweet as a prop.
Cat Burglar
A cat burglar costume is the best excuse to wear a favorite striped shirt, hold a sparkly necklace, and wear a cute kitty mask. Ears optional.
Arthur
Arthur is three costumes in one. Throwing on a dress shirt, yellow sweater and a pair of ears can transform someone into a beloved children's book character, Arthur, an angry Arthur meme by way of clenched fists or John Legend (just ask Chrissy Teigen).
Pixelated Nudity
Flesh tone painted squares on poster board is a quick way to create fake pixelated nudity for a cheeky, naked-adjacent costume. This picture has bonus costume inspiration — some helium balloons can turn anyone in formalwear into the adorable couple from Up.
Waldo & Wenda
Finding a costume is easier than finding Waldo with this idea. If a striped shirt isn't in the closet, just use white painter's tape, duct tape or masking tape to add quick DIY stripes.
Rosie the Riveter
This easy costume channels feminist icon Rosie the Riveter and only requires only a blue/denim/chambray shirt and red bandana tied in the hair. For added impact, make a poster board speech bubble that says "We Can Do It!" to carry around.
Beanie Baby
This costume requires a onesie, but for those who already own one, this idea elevates the costume from "did they just show up in pajamas?" to "oh, that's so clever!" Make a cardboard heart and a comfy, cozy onesie becomes a throwback Beanie Baby.
Identity Theft
We've saved the most last-minute costume for last. Take a few name tag stickers, write some aliases on there, slap 'em on to the current outfit and *BOOM* instant Halloween costume as "Identity theft."
