20 Halloween Costumes on a Budget

A witch is one of the easiest costumes to create from things you already own. Start with a black dress, skirt or pants and top. Add black boots and layer on an old shawl or some costume jewelry. Mess up your hair or keep it long and loose. The only thing you may need to buy is a pointy witch hat. And if you've already made our DIY Mini Witch Brooms, you've got the perfect accessory waiting for you.

Pull out an old plaid shirt and pair it with jeans or overalls. Add boots and a straw hat if you have one. Use eyeliner or face paint to draw a few stitches around your mouth and add rosy circles to your cheeks. You can even tuck raffia or straw around your sleeves.

This costume is all about layering. Start with a long skirt or flowing dress. Pile on scarves, shawls, necklaces, bracelets and costume jewelry. Tie a scarf around your head and carry a deck of cards. If you happen to own a decorative glass globe, even better.

Find an oversized white button-up shirt, old white coat or even a white robe. Mess up your hair and add glasses or safety goggles. Carry a clipboard and a few empty bottles labelled things like Monster Serum, Brain Tonic, Potion No. 13, or Do Not Drink. Fill clear bottles with coloured water for an inexpensive finishing touch.

An old white sheet can become an entire Halloween costume. Cut or tear it into long strips and loosely wrap them over comfortable clothing. Old gauze or leftover white fabric works too. Leave the edges rough and uneven. Just make sure the strips aren't dragging around anyone's feet.

There's something wonderfully old-school about a homemade ghost. Use an old white sheet for the traditional version. For kids, make sure the fabric isn't too long and that they can see clearly. Or skip putting anything over the head and use white clothing, torn fabric and simple ghost makeup instead. Simple. Cheap. And unmistakably Halloween.

This might be one of the easiest costumes on the entire list. Plaid shirt. Jeans. Boots. Beanie. Done. Draw on a beard if you want. If you want an accessory, make a pretend axe from cardboard rather than carrying anything sharp or heavy.

Find the loudest shirt you own. Add shorts, sunglasses, a sun hat, camera and map. Throw on a fanny pack if you've got one. And yes, socks with sandals are completely acceptable here. Actually, they're encouraged.

Wear black clothes or an oversized old shirt. Add a beret if you happen to own one. Cut a painter's palette shape from cardboard and dab a few colours of paint onto it. Carry some clean paintbrushes. You could even add a few washable paint marks to an old apron.

Sometimes your everyday clothes are already halfway to becoming a costume. Wear gardening clothes, rubber boots and a big sun hat. Carry gardening gloves and an empty watering can. Tuck artificial flowers into your pockets or attach them to your hat. For a more whimsical version, become an enchanted gardener and cover yourself in faux flowers and leaves.

Grab black pants and a black-and-white striped shirt. Add a black toque or beanie. Make a simple eye mask from black cardstock or felt. Then take an old pillowcase and draw a giant dollar sign on it. Instant costume.

This is one of the easiest ways to turn an ordinary outfit into a Halloween costume. Pick something you already own and zombify it. Try: Zombie cheerleader. Zombie gardener. Zombie businessperson. Zombie bride. Zombie soccer player. Zombie tourist. Mess up your hair, add pale makeup and distress some clothing you don't mind damaging. Suddenly you've got a costume.

Wear a robe, pajamas or comfortable clothes. Add slippers. Put rollers in your hair if you have some. Then gather as many stuffed cats as you can find. Carry them or temporarily attach a few to your clothing. Finish with a coffee mug. Ridiculous? Yes. Which is exactly why it works.

Create a simple gothic look using a black dress or black skirt and top. Layer a white collared shirt underneath if you have one. Add black tights and dark shoes. Part your hair down the middle and make two braids. And don't forget the most important accessory: a completely unimpressed expression.

This one is especially funny on kids. Find a cardigan, glasses, slippers, scarf, old purse or suspenders. Add temporary grey or white hair colour if you want. Carry a cane only if it's lightweight and safe. The more old-fashioned accessories you can find around the house, the better.

Possibly the world's most comfortable Halloween costume. Wear pajamas. Add slippers and a robe. Mess up your hair and carry a pillow or stuffed animal. If you're going trick-or-treating outside, layer warm clothes underneath. You can basically go to Halloween dressed for bed.

Pull out a trench coat or long jacket. Add dark pants, a button-up shirt and an old hat if you have one. Carry a notebook and magnifying glass. No magnifying glass? Make one from cardboard. Write TOP SECRET across an old folder and carry it around filled with mysterious clues.

You don't need a full pirate costume. Start with black pants and a loose white shirt. Tie a scarf around your waist and another around your head. Add boots, hoop earrings or costume jewelry. Make an eye patch from black felt or cardstock. Draw yourself a treasure map on crumpled brown paper. Arrr. You're done.

This might cost absolutely nothing. Pull out a sports jersey. Add shorts, athletic pants, sneakers and a baseball cap. Paint team colours on your face if you want. Or go completely overboard and become a ridiculous superfan with signs, scarves and every piece of team gear you own. It's especially easy for kids who already play sports.

Dress completely in black. Add sunglasses. Wear an old earpiece or headphones. Carry a folder marked CONFIDENTIAL or TOP SECRET. Make a pretend identification badge from cardstock. Then spend the rest of Halloween suspiciously looking around corners. Cost? Potentially zero dollars.