Halloween costumes can cost a small fortune to buy, not to mention that your child arrives to school to find she's dressed up like about half the kids there. The solution, then , would be to make your kids' costumes at home. Now, you're normally a pretty calm, cool and collected mom, even if you do say so yourself, right?

But admit it: Every September, when the cries from your children go up of "What am I going to be for Halloween this year?", and you envision myself (a notable non-sewer) scrambling around trying to come up with homemade costumes your children will actually like and agree to wear, your calm gives way to an anxiety so severe that your first instinct is always to curl up under the dining room table, rocking, and sucking your thumb. Not a pretty picture, to be sure. So this year, to ease your Halloween stress attack, here's the scoop on how to make some cool and SAFE costumes for your kids (if you live somewhere cold, make sure the clothing is big enough to accommodate a jacket and snowpants underneath). Most costume "ingredients" you will need come from home or a craft or sewing store.

SAFETY NOTES:

No matter what costume your child wears, it is safest without a mask, because they can make it difficult for your child to see and hear traffic and other outdoor noises while trick-or-treating. Use face paint instead. Additionally, adorn your child with a glow-necklace and bracelet to make her easily seen by drivers. These are available at most dollar stores, especially around Halloween. Now, on to the best-of-the-best costume ideas:

STATIC-CLING

Start with a solid-colored outfit in any color you like. Use safety pins to attach the kinds of things that typically get full of static,, like stray socks, dryer sheets, etc. Rub a balloon all over your hair to get it full of static, then use strong-hold hair spray to keep it that way.

MOTHER NATURE

Glue or staple silk leaves and flowers all over a top and long flowing skirt. Color your hair with temporary green, if you like. Use craft wire to secure twigs to make a head-sized birds' nest, and attach it to the hair with more wire or bobby pins. Put a little bird in the nest, and surround him with peat moss. Paint your face green, and use glitter around your eyes, or paint on some leaves, flowers, etc. using face paint.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

You will need to find a white sweatsuit or long-sleeved white top and bottoms. Glue 3 or so large black pompoms down the front of the top as coal. Add Christmas socks and cheap white runners that can be re-worn. Use an old black hat or make one from from poster paper or cardboard, and spray on fake snow. Glue or wire on a little red bird. Paint the face all white using face paint, and paint black circles in a smiling mouth right over your child's mouth and curving up the cheeks. Paint black circles over your child's eyes. Paint the nose a vivid orange.

A BUNCH OF GRAPES

You will need a long-sleeved top and bottoms and also a bag of balloons in either purple or green. Safety pin each balloon on the front and back of the top in a 3-row,2-row-1-row configuration, or go crazy and pin 'em everywhere (just remember, your child will want to be able to sit down)! Top off with a green hat (or make one from poster paper or cardboard) and paint your child's face green to match.

A BAG OF JELLYBEANS

You will need a solid-colored long sleeved top and bottoms, and a large transparent recycle bag. Cut leg holes at the bottom end of the bag, and arm holes in the right spot to fit your child. Blow up multi-colored balloons and while your child is wearing the bag, fill it with the balloons. Glue and staple a brightly colored ribbon around the top edge of the bag, and then glue and staple the bag, through the ribbon to your child's top just under the arms. Paint two "Jelly Beans" signs on cardboard, and glue one to the front and one to the back of the bag.

BUBBLE BATH

Cut the bottom out of a solid (no holes in sides)lightweight laundry basket and tape off the cut edge with ductape. Staple or glue a strip of white fabric from front to back on each side as shoulder straps. Attach white and maybe peachy or pinky colored balloons to the inside edge all around as bubbles. Wear a long-sleeved, white outfit underneath. If you like, add a shower cap, slippers, and back scrubber!

BASKET OF LAUNDRY

Follow the same steps as for the bubble bath costume, but add laundry instead of balloons. This costume will be heavier, so don't use it on a little person.

MAKE A COSTUME FROM A BOX

Use your imagination here. Cut a head and arm holes, use paint, stickers, glue-on items, etc. to make any of the following, or think up your own! -Robot -Christmas or Birthday Present -Fridge, Stove, Washer, Dryer, etc. -Jack-in-the-Box -Rubic's Cube -Dice -Lego Block -Bureau (K-Mart sells cheap cardboard dressers, or you can make one, then glue brush, lamp, etc. on top)

MAKE A COSTUME USING TIGHTS AND A BODYSUIT

Again, use your imagination. Add headband with ears or antennas, a wee skirt, wings made from bent coat hangers and spray painted pantyhose, old pantyhose stuffed with something dark and lightweight for tail or extra legs, sparkles and paint, etc. Make any of there, or think up your own! -puppy or kitten -skunk -spider -ladybug -ballerina -Q-Tip -butterfly -bat or bird

You now have lots of ideas for easy-to-make and unique costumes that are sure to make your kids the stars of Halloween! So, now that you've decided on costumes, the only Halloween decision that remains is: Trick, or Treat?