Women.

So often we pressure ourselves to show up with the best of everything. The fanciest birthday treats, cutest gift wrapping, and the most clever costumes. For some women, this brings joy in their lives, and they whip out an award-winning anything in 30 minutes. But me? Not so much.

I always envy women who can do this, but I know personally the toll it would take on me. That’s why in our household, the kids rarely know who they’ll impersonate until the very end of October.

This Halloween, I challenge you to take it easy. Fun costumes await in places you may have previously ignored. They may not even cost a dime, and I promise your kids will still gather the same amount of sweets.

Find Costume Ideas Easily

The Toy Box

Most kids have a pile of make-believe gear. Princess finery and knight’s armor costumed my kids for about four years before they needed to begin looking outside the confines of their playroom. Creative kids will find that normal school clothes can outfit a spy, or various occupational roles, if you strap on the right stuff from your toy box.

Your Closet

How much clothing falls off your hangers and jams your dressers? Pick out a pile of salvage clothing and tell the kids to go for it. Don’t worry too much about what the outfits become. Let their creativity do the work.

Garage

Look for tool belts, fishing equipment, safety goggles or other protective gear. Anything we don’t generally see on children, is just asking to become a Halloween costume this year.

Grandma’s House

Oh yeah. Grandma’s house generally rocks with coolness in the costume department. Ask to scrounge around her attic, jewelry box and Grandpa’s dresser too. Look for one over-the-top item and fill in the rest of the wardrobe with whatever works. You may even discover this is a tradition the grandparents want to adopt.

Good Will Thrift Stores

If you’re willing to spend a dollar or two, a trip to any second-hand store can be a bargain and a blast at the same time. Hats, crazy shoes, scarves and accessories can be discovered for pennies. Seriously – it’s a fun way to shop.

So go ahead –take a break Mom! Empower your kids’ creativity this Halloween. Let them do the work and you might be surprised at the fun you all have. Trick or Treat!

Kelly Curtis is a Wisconsin wife, mom, school counselor, entrepreneur and author of Empowering Youth:  How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things. To read about the other hats she wears, please visit Kelly’s blog, Pass the Torch.