Scariest Halloween costumes - Not all parents is in a financial situation to be spending money they can ill afford on Halloween costumes for their kids, and this is sad for the mom and dad who want to do right by their children this Halloween night, but find their hands tied due to situations. Parents know it's the Halloween costume that's the icing on the cake that will put a smile on their kiddies face but when money is tight what are parents supposed to do. Is the decision to go deeper in debt and buy a scary Halloween costume (ghoul, witch, bat, or vampire) the right thing to do, or, watch their children sit at home disheartened on one of the most exciting nights of the year purely celebrated by kids? Well your troubles are over because the fairy godmother has waved her magic wand and your kids "will go to the ghoul." For this to happen you need to make your own freaky outfits so the kids can go trick and treating, in a Halloween costume guaranteed to frighten the pants off anyone they meet. The good thing about making your own creations you can add as much or as less as you like.

Any Halloween costume tailor made to your own liking and with personal bits and bobs attached, and how you use face paint will make your costume by far the best ever on the night.

If you're in a position to splash the cash then you will find plenty of commercial costumes available in shops that deal in fancy dress costumes or other. Scariest Halloween costumes don't come scarier than the Grim Reaper believe me. If you go trick or treating as this character, then there's a possibility your treat bag will fill up quicker than you can imagine because folk will want rid of you mighty fast.

Below are Halloween ideas at an expense you can afford, that's if there is any expense at all because the list below may include items you already have in the home. If this is the case your costume will be free.

Ghost V Grim Reaper - The most obvious is the white sheet to dress a child or adult as a ghost with eye cut outs and a mouth slit, however because it's a common cheap idea you might want to evade this one. But if you're up for it, then paint a scary face on the sheet. Make sure the sheet is not to long so the child doesn't trip. Tie a rope around the waist with a plastic axe or sword hanging from it... You could dye a white sheet brown, and purchase a cheap plastic scythe and skeleton mask if you want to go trick or treating as the Grim Reaper.

Scarecrow is a fabulous costume for the occasion, and easy to make - Get and over sized shirt and a well worn pair of pants with patches, (make the patches yourself or tear holes in the pants.) Use a rope for the belt and tie some round the cuffs of the sleeves and bottom of the pants. Stuff and pad the shirt and pants with paper, and have little wisps of straw hanging out here and there Add make-up of your choice to make your scarecrow face sad, angry or happy.

Freaky Old man: You will need dark pants rolled up, shirt, cap or hat, pipe, jacket and walking stick. Grey the hair, with any of the commercial temporary colors, or dust with flour. Make sure what you use is safe and will come out in a wash.

Mummy - Wrap yourself in white bandages (rolls of gauze) you could cut a white sheet up in strips for this instead of buying bandages. Use splotches of green paint for "mould". Use white face paint and draw on some "age lines." If there is to be blood tears then use special red paint purposely created for this.

Frightening Quasimodo the Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my all time favorites outfits for a Halloween costume Make and mold the "hunchback" out of foam or use a cushion. Find an old coat that the hump will sit comfortably in, and that is a safe length for your child, as the coat will be of larger size to accommodate the hump. Old, scruffy clothes are best! Carry a bell to make things more realistic so the character appears as he should.

Scary Pirate - Create a fake wooden leg by wrapping your bad one in brown felt. Wear flared trousers with a striped top (black is best.). Tie a bandana (one of mom's scarves) around your head; wear an eye patch you have made yourself with black plastic or felt and thin elastic. Be careful with what fabrics you use by the eye.

Creepy Black Spider - For the legs grab you will need some cheap black hose, stuff with anything dark and light weight. Sew to keep stuffing from falling out. It's a bit like making sausages. This is not to be done while the spider Halloween costume is on the child. Pin or tack stuffed hosing to the garment, add cosmetics for more spider effects

Eerie Lady Bug - Use a pair of black leggings and black sweat shirt and same color shoes. Use a large piece of cardboard and cut out a large oval. Paint it red with black dots. Staple black elastic pieces (in a loop) onto the board to make arm holes. For the eerie ladybug costume to fall into place you need to add the antennas. For this fasten craft pipe cleaners with black pomp pomes on the ends to a headband.

Terrifying Serial Killer Stick (glue) cereal boxes to a shirt or sweater, make slits in all the boxes, glue in plastic knives or swords into the slits, drip red paint running down from the knife slits.

Bloodcurdling Vampire Black Bat - Using a black umbrella and wearing a black leotard, Rip the umbrella in half. Remove the inside and umbrella spikes and discard immediately to avoid any accidents. You can sew the edges of the umbrella to the back of the body for bat wings. Use make- up as needed for what your bat is to look like.

Chilling Butterfly - Wear a black leotard with matching black shoes. Use a piece of poster board and paint in colors of your own choice. Cut them out in a butterfly wing shape. Punch two holes toward the edges of the wings. Thread black ribbon through them and tie around waist. Affix pipe cleaners and pompoms to a plastic head band. Pompoms are easy to make using wool and cardboard. Ask mom how to do this, and if you are mom and you haven't a clue, then go online for picture details.

Another great money saving idea when dressing kids up in their scariest Halloween costumes is to

Make Your Own Halloween Face Paint 2 tablespoons of soft shortening 4 tablespoons of cornstarch Food coloring - usual colors for Halloween is normally White - Black - Green and Red being the hot favorite for pretend blood

Blend ingredients shortening and cornstarch together. Separate the recipe into two cups, add food coloring. Apply a thin coat of cold cream to the entire face before using your homemade Halloween makeup

Now you're ready to go and frighten the life out of all those of them whose door you knock trick or treating. Have you ever heard that saying "Go knock em dead" (excuse the pun,) well before you do make sure they fill your trick or treat bag first.

The Scariest Halloween Costumes ever - Cosmetics for treating Dry Skin if using face paint