How to Turn 8 Household Items Into Halloween Costumes

Tips and tricks — or treats.

Halloween is right around the corner, and for the busy modern woman that means scrambling at the last second — and sometimes dishing out tons of dough — to find an acceptable costume. If that sounds like you, I invite you to breathe a sigh of relief. You’ve come to the right place.

The Hairpin has consulted a number of Halloween experts to provide you with an incredible list of eight last-minute Halloween costumes that you can put together simply by using items found around your home or apartment. Sounds impossible? Think again!

There is truly something for everyone on this amazing list, so let’s get started.

1. Toothbrush Woman

Just about everyone has to brush their teeth, so the recognition value of this costume is sky high: Toothbrush Woman. She’s a woman holding a toothbrush, or someone who’s keeping a toothbrush in her pocket. Oh my! Sure, your friend may have spent months on her “Log Lady” costume, but how many people have seen Twin Peaks, really? Not as many as the amount of people who have brushed their teeth, that’s for sure, and that is why Twin Peaks is a “cult” classic and toothbrushes is a regular classic.

2. The Incredible Sharpie®

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…Sharpie® brand permanent marker! A more corporate look for our professional ladies, The Incredible Sharpie® allows you to let loose while staying true to who you are. Not all superheroes wear capes, but this one can, if you have a cape. Otherwise just hold the Sharpie®!

WARNING: When putting together your costume, do not use the Sharpie® on your skin. This is for a number of reasons but for one reason the most.

3. Ms. Unfrosted Blueberry Pop-Tart Box, Ever-Humble

Ah, yes, m’lady. There’s nothing wrong with being very sexy on Halloween — in fact, there are only things right about it — but there is something to be said about the delicate beauty of Ms. Unfrosted Blueberry Pop-Tart Box, Ever-Humble. Everyone likes to feel like a princess, if only just for a night.

4. MUG HAND

This is a costume for anyone out there looking for something a little bit spooky. MUG HAND’s main attribute is that she has a mug attached to her hand, which is very scary, indeed. It makes you ask the question: What if she needs two free hands? and How’d that happen? Frightful to consider. What’s in the mug? Well, that’s between you and the mug. 😉

5. Little Miss Bic Lighter

Cutie, cutie, cute. Little Miss Bic Lighter, check her out.

6. Reader of Robert A. Caro’s “The Path to Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson”

Me oh my! This costume suggests that not only do you own Robert A. Caro’s The Path to Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, but also you have read it far past the first very boring sixty pages and all the way to the end. If you’re in the mood to hook up with a man, this gives him a great “in” to talk at you about Robert A. Caro’s The Path to Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever until he finally stops and you say, “Want to get out of here and talk about The Power Broker somewhere quiet?” (A trick.)

Almost Finished Diptyque “Tubéreuse” Candle

You smell so good! Oh no! We’re going to have to buy a new one of you soon even though you’re more of a summer and spring candle than a fall and winter candle! Your scent is just too good! It doesn’t matter if it’s seasonally appropriate!

Tape Guy

Tape guyyyy, check him out!