Costumes! One of the best and scariest parts of Halloween is becoming someone or something else for a night thanks (or no thanks) to Google, YouTube, Amazon, Etsy, etc. Your trick or treaters can now search for virtually anything, show you how to learn to make it, buy it, have it made and more! The phrase, “Hey! It’s only $300!” to describe a must have accessory has had me muttering spells under my breath more than once! But with a little ingenuity, creativity and a quick talk about budget, you will all have a ton of fun on All Hallows Eve!

Our town is chock full of fun places to hunt for the perfect costume. Pattye’s Closet in Montrose is full of decently affordable vintages clothing, jewelry and other accessories. Great place to find clothes reflective of Vintage Hollywood, the ’60s and, of course, glamour! Goodwill on Foothill Boulevard in Tujunga is packed with items from different eras and different styles. It is a great place to find costumes that need to be destressed, partially destroyed or paired with some key higher price items to pull it all together. Zombies, Blues Brothers, FBI, Hula Girl, Fighter Pilot, Halo jumpsuits are just some of what I have seen come out of there! If you do have some extra funds, I highly recommend Halloween Town in Burbank – open all year around, they have three stores six doors apart from each other on Magnolia Boulevard. One is dedicated to adult costumes, one for kids’ costumes and the OG store has plenty of décor, props, toys, collectibles, etc. From the scariest scarecrow to the goofiest couples costume sets, you are sure to find something.

For the adults who don’t want to end up with a closest full of costumes or have several events to go to this spooky season and don’t want to wear the same costume, check out the amazing local costume rental Jeri’s Costumes. Located on Mayfield in Montrose, Jeri’s has thousands of costumes to choose from in all shapes and sizes at very reasonable rates and her customer service is amazing.

Still stuck for an idea? Or just in need of a quick easy costume? Try these on for size.

* Wear anything gray, pin cotton balls in clumps sporadically on pants and top. Carry a small spray bottle of water – poof! You are Cloudy with a Chance of Showers!

* Wear regular clothes and attach socks, underwear, other clothing items and dryer sheets. Whammo! You are Static Cling!

* Wear a white slip or nightgown or white scrubs, smear with real dirt or face makeup, dark eyeshadows or chalk, buy an angel halo headband, tilt it sideways and tadah! A Fallen Angel!

* Still have your collection or nametags and hairnets from your “joe” jobs? Huzzah! Look at that – a costume!

Whatever you decide to be, or put together for your tricksters, have fun and create lasting memories that will haunt them (in a good way) for years!