Its here! It’s here! The most wonderful time of the year! It’s always been one of our most favorite non-obligatory holidays, and coordinating has always been our thing when it came to siblings. The last few years, we decided to join them… and ramp it up a notch. No regrets.
We’re oh so thrilled to share this year’s with you!
If we were going to do it… this was the year. Y’all. The abs. The hair. The rollerblades. The intense look in Ken’s eye. Allan. The Mattel henchman’s side eye. Just like Kate McKinnon, I also, can not actually do the splits. This is a lot of work each year, but always worth it. And looking back, it’s like watching our kids grow up in fast-motion. We are so glad we have these.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2023 Barbie
Here’s how we pulled this one off: {We know today is actually Halloween, because we save our reveal for the day of. But we share every year so you can come back, next year for fun ideas!}
These were very specific, and I was frankly worried we wouldn’t be able to get our hands on some of the items. Thankfully we did, and then some.
• Ken: {Starring Aiden} Definitely the most complicated. We also told him to give sultry intense stares while we played the soundtrack: This coat {similar} + pants + fanny pack + vest + wig + headband + necklace – I used eye makeup to draw “abs” for that airbrushed look.
• Barbie: {Starring Emerson} There were a ton of options to pull from when it came to her costumes, but we went with this + shoes + hat + wig
Side note but I think I’m going to have to open an Ebay account or something because we now own too many wigs.
• Allan: {Starring Malone} He was perfect to play this one. Shirt + shorts + shoes – we combed his hair over since the color was pretty close and wigs just made him look weird.
• Mattel CEO: {Starring Will – I mean Jamin} – An old suit he had + pink shirt + pink tie
• Weird Barbie: {Me} Dress + wig + tights + shoes + makeup – note that the dress in the link looks different than the one I’m wearing – I even ordered a separate tutu to make sure it had the same look. But when it came, it had all the layers. Great find for sure.
• Mattel Henchmen: {Starring Rigby + Fitz} – this doggo outfit here in 4XL because they is chonky gurls.
Bonus round: Everyone always asks how we get the kids to do it, since we now have teens. We all pick the theme, and they can be whatever they want for the multiple parties and Halloween night. Usually they’re recycled again. But this one was brilliant, since people have been telling our oldest he looks like a young John Krasinski for a while now… Totally his idea.
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In the grand tradition of sharing costumes, which we’ve done for a very long time… Today we thought we’d share a few ghosts of Halloween past along the way, too! We get a lot of questions each year about where we found certain things, so we thought it would be fun to step back into time and link a few ideas if you’re brainstorming for all things Halloween. {This is really for anyone who may stumble upon this next year, and want to check it out.}
It’s really fun to watch them grow in all these photos. Someone make time stop.
Here are some more of our costumes from Halloweens past.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2006 Lobster + Chefs
This one is from circa 2006, when we were the lobster + chef hipsters of our day. We felt oh so cool doing it for originality’s sake. It was our first real Halloween as a family. Aiden was also totally indifferent. We look twelve here. Also also, I think someone gave us a kid, and we weren’t quite sure what to do with him. So we dressed him like a lobster and stuck him in a pot. It’s scary now looking back on how much we didn’t know. {About parenting… not Halloween. Oh wait, that’s true on another level now. Teenagers, anyone?}
Then there was that one year he went as the cutest octopus ever, {because I was totally waddling with Emerson in my belly at that point} but as soon as he had a little sister, we coordinated the costumes. Matching costumes have always been a tradition with our kiddos, ever since they were old enough to call themselves siblings. I think we {the parental units} were busy in the past with a fall festival of sorts, and didn’t start dressing up with them until they asked us.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2008 Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
For their first halloween together, I remember Aiden being big into Disney’s Peter Pan. So it was pretty obvious what character Emerson would be. It was the first time I’d ever pieced anything together like this, and I painstakingly spent days, along with hand stitching everything for a personal touch. HANDMADE. ALL OF IT. I learned my lesson after that. Kind of.
That halloween, little did I know we were expecting a third little surprise, and he would be making his debut to join the costume club the following year. Emerson had just started sleeping through the night, and we finally figured out why I had flu-like symptoms around Thanksgiving. Good times. But he makes the cutest addition ever, if you ask me.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2009 Beauty and the Bees
I’d lost my ever loving mind right after Malone was born, and decided they all needed matching bee costumes with handmade wings. WHAT.
No regrets.
Black clothes + yellow tape + accents here and there… Plus the wings were literally electrical tape + stockings + wire + puff paint.
Malone wore this recently for a school play a few years ago, and I lost it. They’re hilarious.
We had so much fun that year. In retrospect, I think Emerson was still devastated that she wasn’t the youngest anymore.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2010 Pirates – Argh Mateys!
Pirates! This is the year we decided to build their pirate ship from cardboard and duct tape over their wagon. We painted, and then “distressed” it with a light coat of white paint. I hand painted a pirate symbol on black fabric for a flag, and tada! We had a pirate ship. The “cannons” were red solo cups.
We made quick vests out of felt and hot glue with gold accents, along with red and gold fabric to add all the little details. No sew all the way, y’all. Plastic hats from the party store for the win.
Pause: Are you seeing a pattern in my arsenal? Felt to avoid seams, hot glue to add accents, random pieces of fabric for the extra pieces, paired with all the basics. Tulle to disguise that I have no idea what I’m doing… Winning.
Until they jump into a bouncy house and I’m diving for a lost button. Because hot glue.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2011 Mario Brothers and Princess Peach
The next year, we had a little Mario Kart action going on: Hats with felt, overalls, a homemade dress with tulle and elastic, and we were good to go. We were also winning with a cardboard crown and stick-on jewels. We went to my parents’ house where their cars are kept, and there ya have it… Mario Kart. Add some plungers for good measure. No, I didn’t build any giant turtle shells. See the original post here. ;}
See how I got a little lazier each year? I actually call this smarter, by the way.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2012 Kung Fu Fighting
Kung Fu Fighters: They were very much into ninjas, so I just color coordinated. Karate suits + dye + swords from their never ending toy weapons collection.
They sure were cute as little ninjas that year. Emerson was having none of it with the tutu conundrum {she would always say she wanted a tutu and then change her mind}. She was oh so happy with just the pants.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2013 Ninja Turtles
Kind of still into ninjas. TMNT: More plastic weapons and backpacks {What would we do without Amazon?} + dyed shirts and pants hand painted for the front-of-the-shell effect.
More felt and paint for masks and fabric accents… sensing a trend here?
They put all their candy in their “shells.”
Family Halloween costume ideas: Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hedwig
This one may be our all time favorite.
Harry Potter: What can we say? Our kids were a natural fit ;} This was one of my favorites as it was Chloe’s last Halloween with us. Easy Harry Potter finds and angel wings {which made her an owl} for Chloe.
We added some touches to the kiddos, with a crimper and hair paint, along with wands and fake glasses. Probably our easiest yet.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2015 Princess Leia, the bounty hunters, Yoda and Chewy
Star Wars circa 2015. Boba + Jango, and the pups made their debut the following fall, in a team effort as Yoda and Chewie. We actually just used an old belt with silver tape for Chewie’s costume. Thus beginning a new tradition…
Also, princess Leia wasn’t going to be taken, prisoner.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2016 The Force Awakens
The dogs faces were the best. They’re all, Why you betway me like this?
And then I saw Emerson’s.
Rigby’s costume is too big, and Fitz’s too small. I remember we weren’t even in our house yet with the whole relocation/remodeling in Nashville when this one was taken. Very close, but not yet.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2017 Princess Bride
And then… we decided to get in on the fun.
We have Princess Buttercup, Fezzik, Vizzini, Westley, Inigo Montoya and R.O.U.S’s – and it was perfect. You can see the little video we cooked up here + all the details and links
Jamin’s wig was a little off, and I’m definitely not suited to be a brunette with a mustache… but hey, it works. Such fun photos.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2018 Our Favorite 80’s Movies
That year, we went as our fave 80’s movies. From left to right:
• Marty McFly + his hover board – Back to the Future – {Isn’t he amazing?!}
• Uncle Eddie and his poop thingy – Christmas Vacation {just glad Jamin didn’t flash the neighbors}
• Elliott + E.T. – {Elliott’s face is spot on.} – red hoodie + milk crate + ET printable
• Indiana Jones {that jacket + hat combo is legit, y’all – She’s so cute!} – we pieced it together but costumes are here.
• Madison {Eat your heart out, Daryl Hannah} – Splash – {I Even have the I heart NY shirt} + wig
• The Gremlins. Because you really can’t feed these guys after midnight. {We made their ears from pieces of foam and headbands.}
This was a one shot wonder with a lot of moving parts {the pups and their gigantic ears + me and my flopping tail and immobility for a small example} but we do love capturing the kiddos each year at their ages. I think they nailed it.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2019 Stranger Things {Season 1}
Every year, we think it’s their final year. We try to go with their wishes, but this is officially a family tradition and they have a lot of fun too, so… ;} They definitely nailed their facial expressions! We’ve found that the key, is picking something they’re excited about. And letting them do whatever they want for ACTUAL Halloween with friends.
From left to right:
• Nancy Wheeler – denim sherpa jacket {or here!} I found on an Ebay kind of site – similar one linked
+ pullover + collar shirt + fingerless gloves = all the layers that aren’t so flattering on anyone but real Nancy
• Steve {the hair} Harrington – white shoes + 80’s jeans + member’s only jacket + it’s all in the hair – he wants to wear it to school.
• Eleven – I think Emerson nailed it – this costume + shoes {you couldn’t see because of the pups – they’re her new fave pair} + jacket + wig + fake blood + Eggo printable – you can make your own box or size accordingly and stick to a modern day box – which is what we did.
• Hopper – costume from here + all the mad facial hair action – Jamin has brown eyes in real life.
• Dustin – we think Dustin made this face a lot – notice his front teeth? Yes, I did photoshop them out – Costume from here.
• Demodogs – dog collars + hot glue + foam cut into shapes with white paint + lots of dog treats for them to stay put – Poor Fitz thought she was wearing the cone of shame.
• We found the Christmas lights here. The kids have now adopted them and they’re hanging in their bedroom. ;} – letters are photoshopped because I didn’t want to paint my wall…
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2020 Scooby Doo!
And 2020 would’ve gotten away with it, too. If it weren’t for us meddling kids.
Scooby Doo just felt appropriate this year. Especially with the way 2020 has felt. A little nostalgia. A little twist on the villain. A whole lot of truth…
We went for the whole classic cartoon approach with our background, too. Because 2020. Here are a few things we used to pull it together.
Fred: He’s the classic combo of weird pants and bad wigs. Don’t forget that ascot and shirt + the wig makes it all happen
Mystery Machine: Starring Rigby. I think she’s still mad she wasn’t Scooby.
Daphne: because she’s not Daphne without her hair + dress + tights + scarf + boots
Velma: glasses + shoes + shirt + skirt + wig + knee highs
Shaggy: costume with wig
Our villain – 2020 because we could. We put a cape + numbers on Fitz {+ a mask} poor Fitz. Someone needed to be the scapegoat.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2021 Music City
How-DEE! We’ve been working nine to five, but we’re on the road again and we’ve been everywhere man. You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em cause here’s your one chance Fancy, don’t let me down. It’s a good thing we’ve got friends in low places… because this would be the most epic show ever.
When you live in music city… 
you rally for your childhood icons a-la Halloween.
And you definitely use the legendary Ryman as your backdrop. We basically took famous photos of each person, and tried to match up their outfits. Honestly, we probably look more like an off off off Broadway production, residing-in-Vegas ten dollar special dinner show, but we had fun!
From left to Right:
• Willie: A simple hair piece – we went with basics for the pups because that makes it even easier.
• Reba: flapper dress + wig + a toy microphone {those are my actual cowgirl boots…}
• Garth: The shirt on the cover of this album is kinda notorious. I couldn’t find one. So I purchased a white one with a similar collar instead, transferred the top button to the side, and painted a checkerboard with black acrylic paint + a little help from FrogTape. Belt + hat also from here.
• Cash: Black shirt + black pants {dress shoes = Jamin’s} + black hair wax – it washes right out with water.
• Kenny: vest + dress shirt {he already owns} + cards because ya gotta know when to hold ’em and also maybe he looks like a weird magician + grey hair wax – also washes right out with water
• Minnie: {Yes, her tag does say 1.98} – hat + flowers – hand-glued on + handmade tag
• Dolly: vintage red shirt found on polyvore + jeans + shoes already owned + wig – banjo from a generous friend – it was his dad’s.
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2022 Addams Family
They’re creepy and they’re kookyMysterious and spookyThey’re all together ooky
The Addams Family!
Family Halloween costume ideas: 2022 The Addams Family
Clockwise, from left to right:
• Wednesday {starring Emerson – She was really channeling some Christina Ricci Energy} : We pieced together this costume with a wig + tights {the tights that came with that dress were too short, but we liked the costume}
• Gomez {starring Jamin} : This costume – he grew out a “stash” and I touched up his usual salt + pepper look. We were going with the original Gomez for his inspiration.
• Lurch {Jamin, again} : A tux he owns + a little magic with make up {similar variations with white / Uncle Fester} + here {the eyeliner made it easier to shade it in with eyeshadow} + here. – I went with old photos of lurch from various versions + fluffed his hair. It’s all in the fluff.
• Uncle Fester {starring Aiden – I can’t decide who understood the assignment more… Aiden or Rigby (Cousin It)} : This costume + padded belly stuffer + bald cap + glue I simply blended the makeup into his bald cap with cosmetic wedges and them emphasized his areas per the 1991 version since I found him more interesting.
• Pugsley {starring Malone} : We went with a simple top + shorts – paired with socks + shoes he already owned. He brought it with his deadpan stare.
• Thing {starring Jamin’s hand} : I think this one is pretty self explanatory – he had a lot of fun modeling. Whether he wants to admit it or not…
• Cousin It {starring Rigby} : This costume here. We didn’t have the heart to put it over her face of course, so she brought it with her stellar look.
• Morticia {Me} : This wig + similar costume – I also sucked in my cheeks to give the camera by best Carolyn Jones cheekbones.
• Grandmama {Fitz}: This wig is all she needed.
–I have to give credit to this INCREDIBLE vintage peacock chair we were able to rent locally. Check out Spark Vintage Rental in Nashville for some amazing finds!
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Every year I think we can’t top it. And every year is our very favorite.
They keep agreeing to do it, and we keep shooting. We may have one posing before he leaves for college next year. Hope you enjoyed this year’s little costume round up. I’ve decided I want a gallery wall with all the photos from each year. I’ve got to collect those frames, slowly but surely. Have an inspired day!
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