Halloween Costume Countdown

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

grandmother, mother and daughters celebrating halloween in costume

As always, Americans are ready to celebrate Halloween this fall by spending on decorations, costumes and more, according to a survey from the

National Retail Federation. All told, Americans are expected to spend $3.8 on dressing up alone in 2024.

As always, Americans are ready to celebrate Halloween this fall by spending on decorations, costumes and more, according to a survey from the

National Retail Federation. All told, Americans are expected to spend $3.8 on dressing up alone in 2024.

Whether you’re invited to a party or just want to show your spirit while you take your grandkids trick-or-treating, you don’t have to shell out for a store-bought costume. Many costumes can be made from things found around your home or accentuated with the purchase of a few inexpensive accessories. Here are 10 easy costume ideas that are sure to earn you some boos (and cheers!) at your upcoming October 31 festivities

1. Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a new chapter of the iconic 80s movie, hit theaters this fall. Join in on the hype surrounding this sequel by grabbing a green wig or some green hair spray and all of the black and white stripes you can find. Whether you go all in and put on a spooky makeup look to go with your costume or you keep it simple with stipes and a pop or two of green, fans of the movie are sure to recognize this kooky charater.

brookdale resident dressed as Queen Elizabeth

2. Queen Elizabeth

All hail the Queen! That’s what people will be saying to you all night when you wear this ensemble. Take inspiration from one of Brookdale's residents (right) and put on a fancy colored coat or suit, and find a wide-brimmed hat or a crown to accentuate it. Next, you can put on a string of pearls, your favorite broach, and carry a small handbag. Don’t forget to practice your best British accent!

2. Queen Elizabeth

3. Black Cat

Black cats go hand in hand with Halloween. Transform yourself into one for the night with these easy steps. Throw on a black shirt and black pants. Then, purchase a clip on tail or some cat ears. You can also make your own cat ears by cutting out triangles made from black felt or construction paper and fastening them to a headband with tape or glue. You can craft your own tail by cutting two pieces of black fabric into long pieces, placing them on top of some stuffing and sewing them together. You can also stick a straightened coat hanger through the tail before sewing it to give it the shape you want. Attach your tail to your pants with safety pins or chip clips. Pick up some costume makeup and color the tip of your nose black and draw some whiskers on your cheeks.

4. Inside Out 2 Character

Inside Out 2 came to theaters this year and was a hit with kids and adults alike. Grab some friends and dress up like the whole Inside Out gang or go solo as your favorite emotion. Either match your favorite charcter's outfit, like Anger's retro office attire, or dress entirely in your chracter's color, like green for Disgust. This costume is great if you like shopping second hand or want to make use of clothes you already have in your closet!

5. Tourist

It’s time to whip out that Hawaiian shirt that’s been in the back of your closet. Or if you don’t have one, pick one up at a local store. Next, put a camera or a pair of binoculars around your neck. You can also dress this one up by placing a folded map in your pocket or wearing some funny sunglasses. And don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat.

6. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

With Taylor Swift's Eras Tour sweeping across the country, the singer has been all over social media and televison, including her public relationship with football player Travis Kelce. Grab a friend or special someone and dress up as this famous couple this Halloween. All you'll need is something sparkling and maybe a blonde wig for Taylor and some Kansas City Chiefs gear for Travis. Bonus points if you perform one of Taylor's songs together!

7. Boxer

If you have a pair of boxing gloves, or you know someone who does, this is the perfect easy costume that you can throw together in minutes. Put on a pair of shorts, a white t-shirt underneath and then throw on a loosely fitted robe.. Have a sweatband? Put that on! For extra effect, you can give yourself a black eye with makeup or use lipstick to create a faux bloody lip. Head to the makeup section of the Halloween store and they even sell fake blood, which will really bring this home if you want to use it. Load “Eye of the Tiger” on your phone and play that when you enter the room.

8. Hippie

Peace out! You just may have something in your closet for this one. Dig through the back of the closet and try to find a pair of bell bottoms or flared pants. Next, put on a tie-dye t-shirt. Don’t have one? Tie dye is super in-style right now and easy to find – you can even make one at home with some fabric dye and rubber bands. Pick up a pair of colorful sunglasses or wear your aviators. Throw on some dangly jewelry – bonus points for jewelry that contains peace signs (many costume stores sell these) and put a bandana or colorful headband in your hair.

9. Grill Master

Love to man the grill? This is an easy costume for you to pull off. Put on your favorite apron, grab some tongs and you’re all set! You can also grab a serving tray and top it with a fake steak. If you want to get a little edgy, go to the Halloween store and pick up a fake body part like a finger or limb and carry that around on a platter.

10. Ghost

It's an oldie but a goodie! Although it's probably the simplest costume you can wear, it's a classic. Just grab an old white sheet, cut a couple of holes for your eyes and all of the sudden, you're a ghost! You can even put a fun twist on this classic by throwing on some sunglasses to be a "cool ghost" or put on your favorite cowboy hat and boots to be a cute "western ghost." The possibilites are endless with what kind of ghost you can dress up as this October, and the best part is, you probably already have everything you need for this costume.