By Stacia Kindler

For you lovers of all things spooky, October means only one thing ~ Halloween. A favorite among little ones and adults alike, it is the one day a year where you can wake up and decide to be an astronaut and actually do it … kind of. Complete with crazy costumes, haunted houses, “special” cider and an absolutely absurd amount of candy, October really knows how to save the best for last.

Then, why didn’t you get that costume figured out sooner if you are so pumped? Life happened, that’s why. Luckily, choosing the perfect costume is usually as simple as asking yourself, “What are my interests?” The answer to this question should take you far when paired with a little imagination, some old clothes and maybe a run to the hardware store.

Keeping your interests in mind can make the world of a difference when finding a last-minute costume, not only in deciding what you want to be but in personalizing it to fit you. Are you a movie buff? Have a flare for fashion? Always getting into mischief? Chances are you already own the right stepping stones to whip up the perfect costume at a moment’s notice.

First, it is important to remember that the classics don’t always have to be boring. Your own personal touch on a familiar costume can be sorely underestimated. Are there five other cowgirls at this year’s monster mash? Who cares ~ as long as you’re the only one shooting people with glitter! A certain element of surprise is the key to making any run-of-the-mill costume great ~ however creepy, strange or just downright wrong it is. Think of how funny it would be to see your preppiest friend show up decked out in J. Crew with full-on skeleton makeup. That’s the kind of irony that makes this holiday so wonderfully weird year after year. Still lost for ideas? Remember to do your research; a simple 10-minute Google search could bring that “Aha!” moment you’ve been looking for since the first signs of fall.

OK, so funny isn’t your thing, but you‘ll use any excuse to dress up. An old prom or wedding dress can instantly transform into any of the usual suspects. Where a flare for all things girly is concerned, all it takes is the right accessories. Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Twiggy, fictional characters ~ all have corresponding hair and makeup any true glamour girl could whip up at a moment’s notice. After all, it is better be overdressed than underdressed.

Another issue adding unwanted stress to the already perplexing costume question is your ever-dwindling budget; however, it is surprising what you can do with the simplest household items, borrowing from friends or articles of clothing you already own.

So, as Halloween creeps in on you this October, take these solid words of advice: Do a little research, don’t overthink it, and be the best possible version of whatever twisted fantasy you dream up the night before.