Homemade Halloween costumes for the craft challenged: Etsy to the rescue!

I consider myself one of the lucky ones because my mom can sew and I have fond memories of trips to the fabric store to pick out material for my Halloween costumes (and later prom and holiday dresses). I vividly remember being Raggedy Ann, and a beautiful butterfly, and a rather creepy Harlequin clown. Luckily for me my mom will also make Pooka's costume this year. Don't have the sewing skills or crafty family member to make a costume for your little pumpkin? Don't let that keep you from having a unique handmade costume. If you are a regular reader you will now that I love finding great handmade baby gear on Etsy (see this post), and Halloween is no exception. Here is just a sampling of the items you can find and many are still available for delivery before October 31st.

Candy corn is an often neglected icon of Halloween, but these designers have featured it front and center. Got a seriously wee one who's not ready for a costume? Try this absolutely ridiculous (I mean that in a good way) Candy Corn Bunting by Dahlhart Lane. I love these candy corn onesies by Bambinamia and Little One Boutique. Speaking (or writing) of onesies, I'm also a big fan of the I Love My Mummy onesie from Baby Grin and the Woooo Halloween Ghost onesie by Chloe's Ruffle Butt.



Need a full costume for your little man? What could be easier than a onesie costume? Make him a superhero with the Boy Wonder Onsie with Detachable Cape from Trusty Sidekick.Not into tights? Try the masculine Brown Tool Belt Onesie or sedate Corduroy Vest and Tie Onesie from Rock n Rags. Does your baby have a little more edge to them? Look no further than the Tuxedo Long Sleeve Romper or Punk Rock 80's Romper (think CBGB) from Lowleepop. Girls can get in on the Lowleepop action too with the Punk Rock Dress.



There are plenty of options to choose from for your baby girls. You could go traditional with this gorgeous Little Red Riding Hood or Snow White costume from Lover Dovers Clothing. I really love this sweet Pirate Girl costume by Rae Gun, or the Bumble Bee dress by April Scott. And don't forget the tutus! There are literally dozens of vendors making tutus for all occasions on Etsy, but some of the best for Halloween are offered by Polka Dots and Paisley, The Magic Tutu Shoppe, and Lil Southern Girl (if you are thinking along the lines of fairy or ballerina).


Still haven't seen something you like? Try this less traditional Rainbow Sprinkle Costume from Not The Kitchen Sink, or the spectacular Round Little Pumpkin costume from Dahlart Lane. And some other options for the less mobile little ones are the Sweet Swaddle Blanket Pumpkin by Tisha Too Designs, or the innovative Flower Cart Stroller Cover by Kikis Thing's for your Maclaren! One of my favorites by far though is Pinkadellic Industries Make Your Own Gnome hat. Make sure you read the seller description when you check out the hat, it will crack you up!

Already have your dear one's costume? Click on these links anyways because pictures of babies in costumes are always good for a smile. Seriously, doesn't that baby in the gnome hat above make you crack up?

Pooka's 1st Halloween: Spooktacular NYC Events

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays but the last few years Halloween have been rather lackluster in our household. My husband hates dressing up and abhors the candy and decorations (to be fair, he thinks all holiday decorations are a waste of time and money). I did coax him into hosting a Halloween party at our house a few years ago, but that has been the apex of our Halloween celebrations in the eight years we have been together. And then along came Pooka! I finally have a partner in crime to get dressed up with and attend Halloween parties. And I know Daddy will be more into the whole celebration too when he sees the joy it brings to little ones.

Living in NYC offers multitudes of Halloween events to attend with the wee ones. I've decided to give you a sample of what's out there to help you choose. Pooka and I will be attending one of Big City Moms My First Halloween parties. Held throughout the week at various Kidville locations and Appleseeds, these parties feature a mommy and me lunch, professional photographer (so make sure your baby is in costume), and music by Little Maestros. They will also host a party for the whole family on Halloween at Kidville's Upper East Side location with music, photos, face painting, cupcake decorating, and more on October 31st.

Similar events are being hosted by Baby Bites and Diva Moms. Baby Bites celebrates with three different events: a night time party on October 29th at Poppyseeds Pre-Nursery featuring the music of Moey's Music Party and a costume contest; a mommy and me lunch at Tavern on the Green on October 30th with a costume contest, a professional photographer, and a performance by Little Maestros; and two MoonSoup parties where little ones can play and party with MoonSoup's teachers and entertainers and enjoy a Rockin' Music and Spooky Songs Concert on October 31st and November 1st. Diva Moms will hold their 5th Annual Divalysscious Halloween Bash at Dylans Candy Bar on October 30th with a performance by Broadway Babies, a costume contest, games, cupcake decorating and makeovers by Cozy's Cuts for Kids.

For outdoor adventures, Central Park has a number of Halloween events scheduled in October. Festivities kick off on Saturday, October 24th with the 2009 Pumpkin Festival featuring a scarecrow competition, hayrides, a free pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, and more. Or check out the super cool Pumpkin Sail on Sunday, October 25th. Bring your jack-o-lantern to the Harlem Meer for storytelling, live music, crafts, and a costume parade at 5:00 PM, then watch your jack-o-lantern float along with hundreds of others at dusk. Hit the Central Park Zoo on October 30-31st for Boo at the Zoo to watch animals eat Halloween treats, hear a wildlife talk with a witch, get your face painted, do arts and crafts, or participate in a scavenger hunt. This event also takes place at the Bronx Zoo each weekend in October. Finally, Flaubert Frog hosts Tricks and Treats at Le Carousel in Bryant Park on October 31st for scary stories, games, crafts and a performance by magician Arnie Kolodner.

NYC's museums have events to offer as well. Head to the American Museum of Natural History on October 31st for their 14th Annual Halloween Celebration to trick or treat through the halls (what could be spookier than giant dinosaur skeletons), and enjoy arts, crafts, and live performances. The Children's Museum of Manhattan has a whole series of events going on in the week leading up to Halloween. Check their schedule to find out the days and times for pumpkin painting, making bat puppets, storytelling and more.

Finally, if you're looking for a safe and fun place to trick or treat, head to West 69th Street for their annual Halloween block party. Designed to entertain children and families, residents of the apartment buildings and brownstones between Broadway and Central Park West decorate their facades and pass out candy in full costume. Some even turn their living rooms into mini haunted houses. The street is closed down at 4:00 PM and candy passing usually starts around 6:00 PM. It's the place to be!