It used to be that an inexpensive Halloween costume was one that came out of your parents' closets.
Pull on your dad's old jeans, tie them with string and — voilá — instant hobo. Borrow your mom's skirt and blouse, perch some glasses on your nose, and you were an accountant.
Times have changed, and today buying a costume from a store or online is common. But how much should you spend?
"No more than like $20," said Josiah Parra of Modesto, shopping for costumes Sunday at Party City on McHenry Avenue.
Josiah, 16, was buying a ladybug costume for his sister, 2-year-old Kaitlynn. The cost: about $17.
That's more than the family spent on Kaitlynn last year, when she went as Cinderella. The toddler wore a dress (bought by mom, who figured she could wear it on other occasions) and a tiara.
But as kids get older, they're needs — wants? — can be more elaborate. The child who was once happy with a hand-me-down cowboy costume now has his heart set on being a Willie Wonka, a zombie doctor, a crew member from Star Trek, etc.
Just ask Andrea Acosta of Modesto. She and her son, Lucas, 8, on Sunday were in search of a stormtrooper costume.
Read the complete story at modbee.com
