10 Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas from Hard to Easy

It's the time of the year now, that everyone is desperately searching for a last minute Halloween costume. But cheap halloween costumes are not easy to come by, especially if you want something that is a bit original. So here's a list from most complicated to least of inexpensive Halloween costume ideas for that last minute partier.

10. Tree and Treehugger (Cost for Couple - $30)

This one is definitely going to be the toughest on the list and it's best for a couple. One person will dress up as a hippie and the other as a tree. I won't go through the mechanics of dressing as a hippie treehugger because I think it's pretty simple (girl - scarves, peace signs, tie dye, maybe rose-colored glasses; guy - bandanna, tie-dye, army jacket, bell-bottoms). The tree is the hard one (grr...damn puns!)

Step 1: Cardboard. Cut and bend the cardboard to be a trunk around your body. Tape sections of it together so you can still be mobile and don't forget the arm holes. Step 2: At the top use straightened out wire hangers as the basis for the branches. Tape and super glue those in place. Step 3: Get foam sealant and cover the "trunk" and branches in the stuff for the texture. Step 4: Spray paint the whole thing in brown paint. Step 5: Get plastic leaves and super-glue them to the branches. Viola!

9. Lady Gaga (Cost - Variable)

This one is just ridiculous but if you do a good job everyone will know who you are. There are plenty of pictures of Lady Gaga so I won't take up the rest of the hub going over how to make her various outfits. Just a word of warning: Meat manages to attract hungry dogs. This is one Halloween costume idea that comes with precautions.

8. Geisha (Cost - $45)

This one's not hard but it's not easy either. The best part is you can keep the kimono after Halloween.The Geisha is really distinct and recognizable and if you get creative with it you may look like Florence Welch.

Step 1: Find a komono. This could potentially be the most difficult and expensive part of your costume. After that it's smooth sailing. Step 2: Get the makeup you need. Red and white are essential. Beyond that it's pure creativity. Here's a link to geisha face-painting.

7. Zombie Michael Jackson (Cost - $65)

Be tastless and topical at the same time. Now, that MJ is dead you can haunt your halloween party by appearing as his lifeless corpse. Best of all the blueprints are right there in his "Thriller" video.

Step 1: Get a red pleather jumpsuit. Step 2: Paint black stripes on the jacket (or use black tape very carefully). Step 3: Use makeup to create the sunken eyes and cheeks look.

6. Zombie (Cost - $5)

Easy to make and easy to wear. It's basically the Michael Jackson costume without the red jumpsuit. Just cut up some old clothes, put on your zombie makeup and you have your costume. Problem is you will have about the least original Halloween costume at the Halloween party.

5. Jersey Shore Cast (Cost - $2)

I didn't want to put these beasts on my Halloween costume list but they are omnipresent and easy to emulate. The attitude/act is the toughest part to pull off. Unfortunately for all of us, way too many people are capable of it.

Step 1: Hairgel/hairspray. Whether you are a guy* or a girl you will probably need to put together a coif that defies gravity. Step 2: Wear a bathing suit. Step 3 and 4: Be a douche/get drunk. These steps can be interchangeable depending on the party-goer.

* If you are a guy who doesn't have a legit six-pack please don't try this. Nobody wants to see your gut go from almost the Situation to almost the Octo-Mom as you imbibe thorughout the night.

4. Flo from the Progressive commercials (Cost - $35)

Flo is kind of old but the commercials are still popular enough that people will know who you are with no problem.

Step 1: Get the white apron. Step 2: Get a red wig. That's pretty much it if you already have the red lipstick. Step 3: Unlike the Jersey Shore costume this requires a bright and cheery personality. Like the Jersey Shore, you may require alcohol to lubricate your performance.

3. Justin Beiber (Cost - $0)

Be a small girl.

With a sneakers and a baseball cap on.

2. Christine O'Donnell (Cost - $5)

Thank god for hypocrites in the news. Christine O'Donnell, Republican candidate for the Delaware senate seat, was just in the news because of old "Politically Incorrect" footage where she mentions she dabbled in whitchcraft. No brainer (that's almost a zombie pun. Ugh!)

Step 1: Get a broom. Step 2: Get a witch's hat.

1. Mark Zuckerberg (Cost - $0)

The "creator" of Facebook. One of the most reviled "friends" on the planet.

Step 1: Get this mask cut-out online. Step 2: Wear anything. Tee shirt, jeans, even a robe if you want.