There are so many things going on this time of year that it’s hard to know what to do next. You might be in harvest, pulling out beets or corn or the last of the tomatoes out of your garden. You might be draining hoses, covering air conditioners and generally winterizing everything you can think of while it’s so nice outside. 

But if you have a few extra minutes, you might be thinking ahead to the REALLY important decision you will have at the end of the month: What kind of costume you are going to wear for Halloween? Or even more important, what are you going to throw together at the last minute for your kids to wear?

Well, never fear because you are about to get the ultimate scoop on Halloween costumes. Believe me, I have been there. Just because my kids are grown doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten the pressure of coming up with a great costume just hours before trick-or treating. 

Now if you are one of those who plans ahead you can order just about anything online. You can also swing by WalMart or the Dollar store and pick up pretty much anything. But that stuff isn’t always cheap, and if you are trying to get a gazillion things done each day and then you look up and it’s time for trick-or-treating, don’t panic! All you really need is a sheet!  

Any old sheet can become an awesome costume with a little imagination! Well, okay, any old sheet can become an acceptable costume, and really that’s all you need. After all by tomorrow everyone will be thinking about Thanksgiving so give yourself a break and don’t stress out.  If you’re in a bind, just pull out a sheet and read on for ways to save your kid’s Halloween…and save yourself a lot of grief.

1. A ghost. Yep, it’s that simple. Take any old sheet, even flowery ones, and cut little holes for eyes. If you have some sunglasses or a hat lying around you can put them on too, but it’s not necessary. In these days of fancy-schmancy costumes, a good ol’ ghost is classic, fast, and cheap.

2. Charlie Brown’s ghost. Poor Charlie Brown dressed up as a “holey” ghost and got nothing but rocks for treats. So cut out a bunch of holes out of your sheet and put a rock in the trick-or-treat bag and you’re set. 

3. A bar of soap. Cut out a hole in the top of a white sheet, write “Soap” on it and tape on a few white balloons. The mom who spent a hundred bucks on her kid’s costume will secretly envy you.

4. Zombie. Tear your sheet into strips and wrap them around the kid randomly. Pin it here and there but don’t worry if it looks bad, after all it’s a zombie! And remember, it’s better that your kid looks like a half-baked zombie than for you to be one.

See?  That’s four emergency costume ideas for those times when Halloween sneaks up on you. After all it doesn’t matter how much the costume cost or how elaborate it is, what really matters is to have a costume that is good enough for your kid to go out and get you a bunch of chocolate!