Christmas characters make surprisingly good Halloween costumes, partly because most of the parts are already in the house by October: red jackets, striped tights, tinsel, wrapping paper and boxes of LED lights. Santa suits, elves, reindeer, trees, wrapped gifts and gingerbread people turn up at costume parties every year, and they read clearly from across a room. Below are 30 looks, from the traditional characters to skeleton, vampire and witch twists, with notes on clothing, hair, makeup, props and shoes for each. Some take an evening at the sewing machine; others come together from closet basics and a craft drawer. There are options for adults, couples, kids, groups and whole families.
Wiring Battery Lights Into a Costume Safely
Lights show up in a good third of these costumes, and they're worth doing properly. LED fairy lights on a battery pack stay cool to the touch, and they're the only kind I'd put against fabric or anywhere near a child. Plug-in strands and anything incandescent stay home.
- Run the strand for a full evening before you sew it on. Cheap packs can drain in a few hours, and you'll want to know whether to carry spare batteries.
- Anchor the wire with small thread loops or fabric tabs every few inches. Pins and staples can pierce the insulation.
- Give the battery pack its own pocket, sewn inside the costume where you can still reach the switch. A loose pack swings and tugs the strand out of place.
- Leave a little slack across the elbows and waist so the wire doesn't pull tight when you bend.
- Use a steady setting for photos. Fast flashing modes blur in pictures and can bother the people around you.
When Halloween is over, unpick the loops and the same strand can go back on the tree.
1. Classic Santa Claus Costume
Faux-fur trim makes or breaks a Santa suit, and it's where I'd spend the money. Start with a red jacket and matching pants edged in white faux fur, a wide black belt, white gloves and sturdy black boots. For a DIY suit, a red sweatsuit with fur strips stitched on looks far better than taped fur, which peels at the cuffs the first time you reach for something. A curly white wig and a removable beard give the traditional look, with rosy blush and soft brows. Fill a red sack with empty boxes in bright paper. Thermal layers fit underneath on a cold night, and round costume glasses with the pointed hat finish him.
2. Mrs. Claus Costume With Red Dress
She's an easy costume to make comfortable, because nothing about the character needs to be tight. A long red dress with white lace or faux-fur trim and a modest neckline works well. Cinch it with a white apron, then add opaque tights and low black ankle boots. A soft gray bun, or a silver wig held with hidden pins, keeps her gentle. I'd go with rosy cheeks and neutral lipstick rather than heavy stage makeup. Carry a tray of foam cookies, which survive being dropped far better than real ones. Pearl earrings and wire-frame glasses finish her, and a red midi with a white cardigan makes a quicker modern version.
3. Classic Christmas Elf Costume
Curled-toe shoe covers give an elf away, and they're simple to sew: two layers of felt cut in a long curl, stuffed lightly at the tip, with elastic under the arch to hold them on comfortable flats. Wear a green tunic or sweater dress with a red belt and striped tights. A pointed felt hat with a bell, and ears if you like, add the rest. Hair can go in braids or loose curls. Peach blush and a few freckles keep the face cheerful. Tiny bells stitched around the cuffs jingle as you move, but sew them with doubled thread, because single strands snap. Carry a wrapped box or a foam hammer, and layer a long-sleeve shirt underneath if you're out after dark.
4. Red-Nosed Reindeer Costume
Antlers are the focal point, so I make sure the headband fits snugly before anything else; a loose one slides backward every time you nod. Build the body on a brown jumpsuit, a sweater with leggings or a fleece dress, with a cream felt stomach panel and a small tail at the back. Brown boots keep it cohesive. Pull the hair into a high ponytail that sits behind the antlers rather than under them. Warm brown eyeshadow, a red-painted nose and small white dots on the cheeks give the face. Brown gloves and a red collar with light bells finish it, and a fabric sack with a painted snowflake is a nice nod to sleigh duty.
5. Friendly Snowman Costume
This is the costume I'd suggest for a cold, wet evening, because the white base can be any warm layer you own. Wear white overalls, a sweatsuit or a simple white dress over thermals, then attach three large black felt circles down the front and wrap a bright scarf at the neck. The black top hat, orange foam carrot nose and black gloves make it obvious. White face powder looks chalky in photos if you overdo it, so a light dusting with rosy cheeks is plenty, plus small black coal dots around the smile. Black rain boots handle October puddles. A short foam broom and felt twig arms at the sleeves finish it.
6. Light-Up Christmas Tree Costume
Lights make a tree costume, but they also make it heavy and lopsided if you're careless. Start with a green tiered dress, an oversized tunic or a poncho cut into a triangle. Stitch the felt ornaments and bows on first, then run the battery LED strand last, tacking it with small thread loops every few inches so the weight spreads evenly. Green tights and green or gold ankle boots go underneath. A star headband is the topper, with hair in a sleek bun to keep the silhouette neat. Gold eyeshadow and a red lip suit it, and small gift boxes near the hem add detail. Sew a pocket inside for the battery pack so it doesn't swing.
7. Wrapped Christmas Present Costume
Cardboard boxes are where most present costumes go wrong. They end up too wide for doorways and too stiff to sit in, and the corners dig into your hips. I measure shoulder width and add a couple of inches either side, no more. Cover the box in durable gift wrap, cut openings for the head, arms and legs, and reinforce the edges with clear tape. Wide ribbon or webbing straps glued inside carry the weight on your shoulders. Wear a fitted long-sleeve top and leggings in a coordinating colour, plus flat sneakers. A big fabric bow on a headband and ribbon woven through a braid finish it. For crowded parties or school, a fabric-covered foam box is far kinder.
8. Red And White Candy Cane Costume
Stripes are the whole costume, and running them on the diagonal is what makes them read as candy cane instead of referee. A striped dress or top and leggings works, or white clothing with red fabric tape applied on a slant. Tape lifts on stretchy knits, so stitch the ends down if you can. White gloves, red boots and a peppermint-swirl headband come next, with a high ponytail tied in red and white ribbon. Red eyeliner and a small swirl on the cheek keep the makeup playful. Make the cane from foam pipe insulation bent into a hook and wrapped in ribbon. If head-to-toe stripes feel loud, use a white base and keep the red to sleeves, tights and accessories.
9. Gingerbread Cookie Costume
The piped icing is the detail I care most about here, and soft white cord or rickrack stitched on in loops looks much more like icing than painted lines ever do. Wear a brown sweatshirt dress, a sweatsuit or a felt tunic, then add colourful felt circles as candy buttons and scallops at the wrists and ankles. Brown sneakers or flat boots blend in. Two buns with red bows, rosy cheeks, white liner accents and tiny candy-coloured dots at the temples suit it. Carry an oversized foam cookie or a light rolling pin. Glued felt buttons pop off brushed fleece, so sew on anything you'd hate to lose on the walk.
10. Traditional Nutcracker Costume
A nutcracker needs structure, and the jacket is where it comes from. A thrifted red blazer with gold ribbon and big buttons sewn on gets you most of the way, and foam shoulder pieces slipped inside the shoulders give the toy-soldier squareness without stiffening the whole coat. Pair it with white pants, gold trim and black knee boots. White gloves and a tall black hat with gold cord or a plume make the outline. Tuck your hair under the hat, or wear a curled white wig for a more theatrical look. Pink cheeks and a neat painted mustache finish the face, and a lightweight staff or toy drum is plenty to carry.
11. Sugar Plum Fairy Costume
Tulle and glitter both get everywhere, so I'd plan this one for a party rather than a long evening in and out of the car. Start with a fitted leotard or top and a knee-length tulle skirt over opaque tights, then add ballet flats, shimmering wings and a small crystal crown. A secure bun dotted with tiny artificial flowers or silver ribbon gives the crown something to grip. Soft purple eyeshadow, pearly highlighter and pink lipstick give the stage feel. Carry a silver wand topped with a light plum-shaped ornament. Use only cosmetic-grade glitter near the eyes, never craft glitter. A cropped cardigan helps on a cold night, and leggings under the tulle add coverage.
12. Red Toy Soldier Costume
Think of this as the quicker cousin of the nutcracker, with fewer pieces to build. Wear a fitted red jacket with black pants, crossed gold cords, white gloves and polished black boots. The tall cylindrical hat is the only real construction. I roll it from craft foam and glue the seam with contact cement, which holds far better than hot glue on foam, then add elastic that runs under the hair at the back. A sleek low ponytail keeps the look neat. Rosy cheeks, crisp liner and a painted circle on each cheek give the toy face. A drum made from a round cardboard container with a fabric strap, gold epaulets and rows of buttons finish it.
13. Shiny Christmas Ornament Costume
Reflective fabric catches party lights, which is the whole appeal here. Choose a round tunic in red, blue, gold or silver satin or metallic fabric, and wear matching leggings and shoes so the ornament stays the focus. I'd avoid a rigid sphere completely: you can't sit, and doorways become a negotiation. A padded oval tunic gives the same shape, made by sewing a layer or two of batting between the fabric and a lining. The metal cap is a silver foam collar with a small loop headpiece. Slick your hair into a bun or tuck it under a matching head covering. Metallic eyeshadow and highlighter suit it, and a short strand of light garland is enough of a prop.
14. Winter Snow Globe Costume
The dome is the clever part, and also the part to keep away from your face. A clear, flexible plastic sheet curved into an arch and fixed to a collar above the shoulders gives the globe effect while leaving you room to breathe and see. Underneath, wear a pale blue dress or a white sweater with a shimmering tulle skirt, white tights and silver boots. Stitch light snowflakes to the skirt and shoulders, and add a wide silver belt as the globe's base. Soft curls and a snowflake headband frame the face, with icy eyeshadow and white face-paint dots. Carry a small sealed bottle of paper confetti, and add white gloves and a faux-fur capelet for warmth.
15. Green Christmas Wreath Costume
A foam ring is the right base for a wreath; a wire wreath frame is heavier than it looks and its ends poke through the greenery. Cover a lightweight foam ring with artificial garland, felt leaves, bows and soft ornaments, and hang it from adjustable shoulder straps so both hands stay free. Underneath, a green long-sleeve shirt, leggings and green sneakers keep everything coordinated. A red bow headband over curls or a neat ponytail, green liner and a red lip finish the face. Keep the ring narrow enough to get through doorways. Battery lights can wind around the frame if the pack sits in a small pocket. Green gloves and a little gift-shaped bag round it out.
16. Colorful Christmas Lights Costume
Black clothing is the trick that makes this one work, because the bulbs glow against it. Wear a black sweater, pants and black sneakers, then wrap a strand of cool battery lights loosely across the torso. I sew small fabric loops along the sweater to hold the strand rather than pinning through the wire, which can damage the insulation. Oversized felt bulbs in red, blue, green and yellow keep the idea readable when the lights are off. A high ponytail threaded with coloured ribbon, or a headband with one big bulb, ties in the hair. Colourful liner and painted dots match the decorations. A foam plug is the joke prop, and the battery pack goes in a zipped waist pouch.
17. Ugly Christmas Sweater Creature Costume
The best part of this costume is that the sweater survives it, as long as everything comes off again. Start with an oversized patterned sweater and comfortable pants. Attach soft felt eyes, yarn eyebrows and a wide fabric smile across the front so the whole top becomes a friendly monster face. Safety pins can snag chunky knits, so I use long basting stitches that pull out cleanly. Colourful sneakers, mismatched striped socks and gently teased hair or a bright green wig suit it, with bold eyeshadow and rosy cheeks rather than scary makeup. Furry gloves and a fabric tail add character. A small bag decorated like a mini sweater finishes it.
18. Skeleton Santa Costume
The red suit stays, but a black shirt with white felt bones underneath does the Halloween work. Wear a red jacket and pants with white faux-fur trim, and leave the jacket open enough to show the ribs. Black gloves with bone shapes and sturdy black boots continue the idea. A Santa hat, white wig and short white beard keep him festive. Skeleton face paint around the eyes, nose and mouth should stay clean and symmetrical; I sketch the shapes with a white pencil first, then fill them in. Keep the paint thin near the mouth so it doesn't crack when you talk and eat. Carry a black gift sack with white snowflakes, and use a wide belt to separate the red from the black.
19. Vampire Christmas Elf Costume
Deep green, burgundy and black give this a moody palette that still reads as an elf. Begin with a green velvet tunic, black fitted pants, striped socks and pointed black ankle boots. Add a short burgundy cape with faux-fur trim, a wide belt and a dark green elf hat. Velvet crushes and marks under an iron, so hang it in a steamy bathroom the night before instead. Sleek hair, or a black wig with subtle red streaks, suits it. Pale foundation, smoky eyes and dark red lipstick give the vampire side, and small costume fangs should be tried at home so they don't fall out mid-sentence. Pointed ears and silver bells tie the two ideas together.
20. Christmas Tree Witch Costume
The tiered green skirt doubles as the tree, so it's worth getting the tiers right: each one should overlap the last by a few inches to hide the joins. Wear a fitted green top with the skirt, striped tights and black lace-up boots. Decorate the tiers with soft ornaments, ribbon garland and cool battery lights. The pointed hat gets a gold star instead of a buckle, and since tall witch hats tip forward, a hidden comb or a thin elastic keeps it upright. Long green or dark brown hair, emerald eyeshadow and berry lipstick suit her. Carry a small green broom tied with ribbon and bells. A black cape edged in felt bulbs keeps you warm and on theme.
21. Winter Snow Ghost Costume
Flowing white layers carry this ghost, and the risk is length. Start with a long white dress or a white poncho over leggings and flat white boots. Add layers of translucent fabric cut with rounded edges, keeping every layer above the ankle so you don't step on it going downstairs. Chiffon frays badly, so cut it with pinking shears or seal the edges, and the rounded shapes will hold. A white or silver wig and a crown of fabric snowflakes frame the face. Pale makeup, silver eyeshadow and frosted lipstick suit her. Carry a battery lantern, never a candle, near all that fabric. Silver gloves and a gauzy cape finish the look.
22. Skeleton King Santa Costume
A black pinstripe suit gives this character his long, lanky line, and slim trousers with a longer jacket make you look taller without risky platform shoes. Wear it over a white shirt, then add a red Santa hat, a white faux beard and black dress shoes. A bat-shaped felt bow tie is the Halloween detail. Skeleton makeup with large eye shapes, a dark nose and a neatly drawn smile is the focus. I'd use a cream-based white and set it well, because white paint shows every smudge. White gloves painted with black bone lines take care of the hands. Carry a red sack of oddly shaped but light wrapped boxes, or swap the jacket for a red cape with white trim.
23. Patchwork Christmas Doll Costume
This is the one for anyone who likes to sew, because the visible stitching is the costume. Make or alter a knee-length patchwork dress from red, green, white and patterned pieces, and topstitch each patch with a big running stitch in contrasting thread. Even, generous stitches read better from a distance than tiny ones. Striped tights, black ankle boots and a cropped cardigan finish the body. A long red yarn wig gives the bold focal point. Pale blue makeup used sparingly, stitch lines drawn in black liner, rosy cheeks and berry lipstick make her face. Carry a small fabric gift or a soft black cat toy, and pin a patchwork bow or mini Santa hat to the wig.
24. Burlap Holiday Boogeyman Costume
Real burlap itches and sheds fibres, so I never put it against skin; tan linen, fleece or a burlap-print cotton looks the same from a few feet away. Make a loose tan jumpsuit the base. Add oversized black yarn stitches and decorate the front with felt ornaments, colourful buttons and a crooked red bow tie. Brown boots and gloves go underneath. A rounded hood with painted cartoon eyes and a wide smile gives the character's shape while leaving your face uncovered. Neutral makeup with green and purple around the eyes suits it. For the padded belly, a layer of quilt batting is enough, because loose stuffing gets hot fast. Carry a stuffed gift sack tied with ribbon.
25. Green Holiday Grouch Costume
Green faux fur is what makes this grouch, and it's also what makes him hot. I put the fur on the gloves and shoe covers and keep the body in a green long-sleeve top and leggings. A red coat trimmed with white faux fur goes over the top, shaped with a black belt, plus a floppy Santa hat. A swept-back green wig gives the hair. Green face paint should go on thin with a sponge and be patch-tested first, since you'll wear it for hours. Curved brows and a smirk keep him funny rather than frightening. Carry an empty gift sack or a cardboard ornament as if sneaking off with the decorations. For a quick, warmer version, wear a green fleece onesie.
26. Whimsical Holiday Village Girl Costume
The tall sculpted updo is the challenge. A braided updo shaped over a bent wire frame and held with plenty of hairspray works on long hair, but it pulls on the scalp after a few hours, so a pre-shaped wig is the kinder choice for kids. Begin with a red-and-white checked dress or a pink winter dress over warm tights. Add a fitted red cape, white gloves and black shoes or ankle boots. Rosy cheeks, light lashes and pink lipstick suit her. Carry an oversized foam ornament or a small wrapped gift. A fluffy white collar adds warmth. Keep the skirt at knee length, with fitted shorts underneath for active nights.
27. Victorian Christmas Miser Costume
Muted colours sell this one, so resist anything bright. Wear a long black coat over a white shirt, a dark vest, narrow trousers and plain black shoes. Add a gray scarf, fingerless gloves and a sleeping cap or a black top hat. Temporary gray hair spray rubs off onto collars and cushions, so I'd pick a short silver wig if you'll be leaning back on a sofa. Pale makeup, lightly shadowed eyes and sharp brows give the tired, grumpy face. Carry a fabric money pouch, a closed account book or a battery lantern. A long striped nightshirt makes a bedtime version. Round glasses and a slight hunch finish him; just stand up straight on the stairs.
28. Ghost Of Christmas Cheer Costume
Rich green velvet and gold give this ghost warmth rather than fright. Choose a floor-length green robe or velvet dress over leggings, but hem it an inch or two off the floor, since velvet is heavy and a dragging hem collects everything it passes. Add a gold belt, a faux-fur collar, a leafy crown and flat gold boots. Long brown or auburn waves suit the character. Bronze eyeshadow, highlighter and a deep berry lip give the glow. Carry a horn-shaped basket filled with artificial fruit, greenery and foam treats. Gold cuffs and a soft green cape add movement. Skip ghostly face paint, because luminous makeup suits this generous spirit far better.
29. Santa And Reindeer Couple Costume
This pair coordinates without matching, which is why it's easy to wear. One person is Santa in a red jacket, pants, black belt, boots, hat, white wig and removable beard. The other is the reindeer in a brown jumpsuit or dress with cream accents, antlers, a red nose, brown boots and a bell collar. Santa carries a light gift sack, and the reindeer holds a foam sign pointing to the North Pole. Rosy makeup suits Santa, with warm brown eyeshadow and white cheek dots for the reindeer. Matching red gloves or scarves tie you together. Beards get hot and itchy over a long night, so choose one with an elastic you can slip under the chin while you eat.
30. North Pole Family Costume
With a whole family, give everyone a different character and let colour hold the group together. Two adults take Santa and Mrs. Claus, then the children become elves, a reindeer, a snowman or a wrapped present. Repeat red, green, white and gold across everyone. Each person needs comfortable shoes and one light prop, such as a gift sack or a foam cookie tray. Matching striped scarves are the easiest way to unite costumes pulled together from different places. Babies can wear soft elf or snowman onesies, and a dog can join in a comfortable red harness with antlers if it tolerates them. Skip dangling decorations on little ones and pack warm layers for outdoors.
Sewing Faux Fur Trim Without the Shedding Mess
White faux-fur trim appears on Santa, Mrs. Claus, the grouch, the vampire elf and half the capes here. It's easy to sew once you know how it behaves.
- Cut from the back with a craft knife or small snips, sliding the blade through the backing only. Scissors chop through the pile and leave a fuzzy halo of loose fibres.
- Shake the cut strips and run a lint roller over the edges outdoors before sewing. That clears most of the shedding in one go.
- Push the pile away from the seam with a pin as you stitch, so the fur hides the stitches instead of getting trapped in them.
- Lengthen your stitch and use a walking foot if you have one, because the layers creep against each other.
- On a finished jacket, hand-sew the trim with a loose whipstitch through the backing. Fabric tape and glue let go at cuffs and hems first.
Pieces That Go Back Into December
Most of these costumes share their parts with real Christmas decorations and clothing, so build them to come apart. Tack felt shapes on with basting stitches instead of glue, keep lights and ornaments on loops, and pick a sweater or dress you'd wear again rather than one you'll have to cut into.
After Halloween, take off anything that sheds or stains, wash the base garments, and store wigs loosely in a bag with a little tissue so they keep their shape. A Santa hat, a pair of striped tights or a string of lights from October goes straight into holiday parties a few weeks later.
Christmas Colours on Halloween Night
Christmas symbols turn into October costumes more easily than most people expect. The traditional characters stay recognisable, the skeleton, vampire, witch and ghost versions add a Halloween edge, and objects like ornaments, lights, wreaths and presents make some of the best DIY projects of the season. Settle on a clear colour palette, attach every decoration securely and choose makeup and shoes you can wear all evening. Battery lights and foam props give plenty of impact without weighing you down. Build the pieces to come off cleanly, and most of them can come back out in December.
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