We finally won the contest!

My wife and I were tired of not placing in the Halloween costume contest at our church. The ideas we had in the past were just not working. Two years ago, we had gone as the Tin Man and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and dressed our son up as Toto. The year before that – before the birth of our son – we had gone as Batman and Robin. We would spend hours each year brainstorming and then shopping for supplies and accessories. Then we had to put the costumes together. My wife would spend several hours at the sewing machine and applying makeup on us both. Then, this past year, my wife had had it. She said she was not going to make costumes this year. What with the baby, I could completely understand her position. We searched online and went to a number of costume stores, but just did not find what we were looking for. Finally, at the suggestion of a co-worker, we looked at allcostumes.com and found great costumes for our whole family.

When we showed up at the Halloween party dressed as characters from the Star Wars movies, we were a big hit. Our pastor and his wife could not stop laughing. I was Anakin Skywalker and my wife was Padmé. We even went as far as to dress our two-year-old son in a Chewbacca costume. Of course, Alex’s cute factor went a long way toward getting us that first-place prize. We also bought all the accessories and makeup we needed at allcostumes.com. We each received a ribbon and as a family we received a $25 gift certificate at a local toy store, as well as a $25 gift certificate to a local barbecue restaurant and a statue, which we placed on our fireplace mantel. We used the toy store gift certificate for birthday presents for Alex, and the BBQ gift certificate for a much-needed date night.

Not only were the prices more than reasonable, but the selection was the best we had ever seen. I think we spent more time in front of the computer laughing at what we could be than doing anything else. It was an excellent source of entertainment in our home. Allcostumes.com is the first place we will go this year without a doubt. And several couples from our church plan to go there, too. It should be another very fun Halloween costume contest this year.

Spice Up Your Anniversary

As your anniversary approaches, you’re likely experiencing the rush of excitement -- and a struggle to find something truly unique to make it a special occasion. If you're interested in spicing up your anniversary, but you are also hoping for something truly unique; well then, it's time to think outside the box and instead of giving a tangible gift, give the gift of yourself.

One of the best ways to add a bit of excitement and spice to your anniversary, and to give your all in the process, is to utilize a loved one’s fantasy to put a positive and creative spin on this special day. Playing dress-up is not just for little kids, and it's certainly not just for Halloween. You can use creative costumes for a variety of situations and can add a bit of spice and excitement to every day.

With your anniversary right around the corner, you can turn up the heat with a costume that is sure to get the attention of your significant other. There’s nothing more romantic that a gift that’s both thoughtful and creative…and if you play your cards right, your gift can be considered spicy as well. All you need is a little imagination and a desire to have fun!

Whether you're into dressing up as a sexy nurse or you prefer his-and-her combos, ordering costumes online is the perfect way to incorporate your wishes and save some money. Some people enjoy the Tarzan and Jane approach, while others prefer to surprise their significant other when he or she arrives home from work. Either way, no one wants to spend a fortune on romance (not with this economy anyway).

Ordering your costumes online can help save money in a variety of ways. Online costume dealers can avoid the markups of the tangible storefront nor do they have to worry about tangible marketing. For this reason, you will find that the selection of costumes found online are quite a bit less expensive than you would find at your local costume shop.

If your anniversary is very soon, placing your order immediately should be a priority. Don't worry -- you can put priority shipping on any online order and habit just in time for the special day. Have fun and happy anniversary.

Meeting Your Costume Needs

Many events require the need for a costume: Halloween, parties, events and plays. Finding the right costume for your event can be time consuming and very confusing. You want to take a few steps to ensure that you are getting the best costume and the best price.

Consider if you want to rent or buy your costume. You need to know if this costume is something you will want to wear again in the future. If it is,  then you may want to buy instead renting the costume over and over. Most of the time if you rent the same costume over again, you could have just bought it for the money you paid renting.

If you are going to rent your costume, then you need to find a costume rental website that carries your type of costume. Do an internet search for your costume type and check out the different websites, to see who has the best rate and the exact costume you are looking for. You want to consider shipping prices in the cost of the rental.

If you would like to buy your costume, then you can check with a larger amount of websites -- you can even buy a used costume from an online auction site or classified site. Compare the prices of each site and the inventory they offer. You will also need to consider the shipping cost. You will want to measure your body, to make sure that you are getting the perfect fit. Most sites will offer a size chart to help you pick the best fit.

Next you want to research the company you are planning to buy from -- make sure they do not have a lot of bad feedback on the internet. You can do a simple internet search for the company’s name. Read all of the reviews. Also make sure that they have a number to call if you should have any problems.

When paying for a costume make sure that you use a credit card, this will ensure that you can get a refund, if needed and provides proof of your purchase. You will want to see what the sites return, exchange and refund policy is before making your final decision to buy from the company.

Wearing a costume can be fun and exciting. Make your event even better by applying these tips, to ensure a pleasant buying experience.

Summer Costume Parties

Most of us believe that the spring and summer months mean a lull for people who work in the costume business. If you’re among this crowd, you’re totally in the right. Unfortunately, costumes and dressing up for any occasion can take a back seat as the warm weather approaches.


One of the reasons the costuming takes a back seat during the summer months is the fact that there are only a select few costume holidays, and they all take place in the fall and winter. However, today we're going to address the costume potential of the summer.

First of all, costuming doesn't have to disappear as the weather gets warm. In fact, spring and summer bring with them many great opportunities for dressing up in costumes. That’s right, believe it or not, the summer months bring with them many unique chances for wearing costumes. If you're struggling for a reason to dress up during the summer, consider the following options. First of all, spring brings with it Easter and other warm weather holidays that are perfect for dressing up in costume. Consider throwing an Easter party where your guests come as their favorite spring characters.

You may also enjoy throwing a Midsummer Night’s Dream costume party. Consider having your guests dress as their favorite Shakespearean character from a Midsummer Night's Dream! The good news is that you don't have to stop there. Believe it or not, there are many other wonderful spring and summer costume opportunities. Consider throwing a Fourth of July costume party, or even an April Fools' Day costume party. Believe it or not, when it comes to wearing costumes, the opportunities and possibilities are endless.

Don't let a lack of imagination keep you from enjoying some of the most promising spring and summer costume opportunities available. Instead, let your imagination run wild and enjoy all the warm weather has to offer. Throw a costume party for any and every occasion that meets your fancy. Your guests will love the idea and your events are sure to be a hit each and every time!

How Having the Perfect Costume Can Liven Up Any Party

With Christmas far behind us and Valentines Day being over, the fun loving side of you may be looking for a special occasion to dress up and put on a costume. How about hosting a costume party for you or your child's next Birthday party? What would be a more perfect occasion than that? You can pick from a large assortment of themes and find the perfect children's costumes at All Costumes.


Little kids love getting any excuse in the book for dressing up and a costume birthday party is just one such occasion. To get started first you need to consult with your son or daughter and choose a party theme, location, size and color scheme. These choices alone will have a direct affect on which types of children's costumes would be worn to your party.

Perhaps your child has chosen a super hero theme -- if this is chosen your possibilities are limitless. The little boy can pick from a costume like Batman or Spiderman and little girls can choose from Batgirl or a fairy princess. There are more than enough choices in stock at All Costumes, you can find just exactly what you are looking for and find a great selection of children's costumes.

To complete the look of your children's costumes you will need to get some wigs, hats, masks and other accessories. Little kids really love dressing up and playing make-believe, so adding some really good choices to the mix, the kids will love it. Your party is sure to be a hit with the wide selection of good available at All Costumes.

If you do not have a child's birthday party to celebrate then perhaps you want to plan an adult celebration instead? You can have just as much fun at an adult party as you can at a child's party with the right adult costumes. You can choose from several types of sexy costumes and the site even sells plus size costume selections as well.

No party is complete without the perfect costumes and no matter what type of costumes you are looking for, you will most likely find it available from All Costumes. You can be anything you can imagine and have the time of your life. Choosing the best children's costumes or adult costumes can make your party more lively, festive and memorable. So sit back, dress up and let the party begin.

The Perfect Child's Costumes

Maybe your school is hosting a play or operetta. If so, then you are going to need to find some great costumes for everyone. Having the perfect children's costumes will make your play a more memorable experience for the kids, as well as the adults and audience. Before you pick out your costumes, however, you must first decide what type of play you are going to have.

If you are hosting a play about a super hero, then you're going to have to find some interesting costumes. You might want to get some tights, leotards and other types of super hero related items. Every little kid loves dressing up in a super hero costume and to find the perfect one, you should search the large inventory available from All Costumes.

Maybe your play is more theatrical performance, if this is the case you should check into getting more elaborate children's costumes. If your play is about a fairy tale, then the characters are going to need some wigs, make up and theatrical costumes. The selection of hats and children's costumes available from All Costumes is quite extensive and you are sure to find everything you need to make your play extra special.

You can plan your theme first and select any type of children's costumes you need from All Costumes. Whether you need costumes for children or perhaps you need special adult costumes for a teacher who is also participating in the play, you can find everything possible at All Costumes.

Everyone enjoys dressing up and a school play is just another excuse to put on a costume and have some fun. If you want to go an extra step, you can even add some Halloween makeup to your costume and this will make it even more unique.

Having the perfect children's costumes and accessories is a way to make sure all the kids participating have a lot of fun and put an extra effort into their performance. Mediocre costumes don't need to be a part of your elaborate production, you can have extra special children's costumes and you do not have to break the bank to do it either.

So go ahead and plan the most exciting and special school play ever and leave all your children's costumes to All Costumes. You will find an extensive and unique collection of props, wigs, makeup and hats to choose from. Each child will feel extra special when he or she gets to dress up in the costume of their dreams.

Finding Your Next Halloween Costume

If you have small children or if you are just a big kid yourself, then you probably look forward to holidays that allow you to get dressed up and celebrate. Halloween is just one of those holidays that brings out the creative best in parents and adults of all kinds. Some people even plan their Halloween costumes as far in advance as possible. They think about all the logical reasons like being unique, having the best costume you can find and standing out and making a statement. Halloween is the one time of the year where anyone of any age can dress up and have a roaring good time -- that's why so many people love it.

If you have looked in all the typical places and have not found a Halloween costume to suit your liking and your needs, then maybe it's time to broaden your search to a larger scale. Check the website of All Costumes and be prepared to find one of the largest, most comprehensive and unique collection of costumes available on the web. You can find many things such as children's costumes, sexy costumes, adult costumes, wigs, hats, masks and much, much more.
You will be simply amazed at the wide variety of costumes they have and you are guaranteed to find the perfect costume for your celebration. Halloween only comes once a year and of course you don't want to find yourself out and about at the local parties wearing the same Halloween costume as everyone else. Your costume choice should be exactly what you want it to be and as unique as you are, so check out the selection at All Costumes -- you won't be sorry.
All Costumes has a wide selection of regular costumes and has a special link to costumes being sold for 50% off. The only thing better than finding the perfect costume is finding your next big Halloween costume for 50% off the regular retail price.
If you are a parent and you want to find the most adorable, affordable costume for your child or children, All Costumes also has a large selection of children's costumes to choose from as well. Some of the choices for a child's costume includes animals, southern belles, super heroes, colonial, fairy tale characters, pirates, pilgrims and much more. Any of these selections would make a great choice for a child's Halloween costume. All Costumes is the perfect one-stop place to get any type of party costumes you need to make your Halloween unforgettable.

The History of the Masquerade

Most of us love a good masquerade or costume party. However, most of us do not have any idea or have given any thought to the history behind the costume. While it's not something we often consider, our favorite Halloween costumes, as well as our adult and daily use costumes, actually have an origin. Believe it or not, costumes have an ancestry in the history that dates back for centuries.
Masquerade balls and disguises have been around for centuries. But this history is often split between two distinct eras. If the costumes you choose are scary, particularly for Halloween costumes, their history dates back to a time when it was believed that one night of the year was dedicated to the dead. On this special night, the dead were allowed to emerge from their restful state to roam the earth freely. During this free roam of the earth, the spirits were set to play mischievous pranks on the living.
In order to fool the spirits into passing them by, citizens would often dress in frightening costumes so as to "blend in" with the spirits. As a result, the costumed citizens would avoid the pranks that had become so notorious.
As far as the masquerade ball, in the 15th century, the masquerade ball began to grow in popularity. The purpose of the masquerade ball was to dress so that one was unrecognizable. The patrons attending the ball were charged with the challenge of getting the identity of the other papers. Basically, it was a form of entertainment to accompany the dance. The masquerade ball was a form of entertainment for the upper class throughout the 17th and 18th century. Many people viewed the masquerade ball as a fashion show for the upper crust.
No matter whether it is your goal to scare a few people or you're simply hoping to add an air of mystery to your next event, organizing a masquerade ball or a costume party may be the perfect choice. Because costumes can be considered versatile, the costume party is relevant all year round. Don't repress your inner desire to play dress up simply because Halloween is 10 months away. Instead, organize an old-fashioned masquerade ball and have fun with costumes year round.
As we said before, the costume doesn't have to be reserved for Halloween. You can have fun with costumes, be it playing with your children were dressing up for significant other, whenever you want.

Costumes - Not Just for Halloween

You know, costumes aren’t just for Halloween anymore. In fact, many people enjoy dressing up in costumes for a variety of reasons all year round! Whether you are interested in a costume party at work, you like the idea of having fun with your children, you're putting on a play, or simply want to have a little fun with your sweetheart, costumes can add spice to your everyday routine.
Modern offices can be consumed by the ho-hum daily grind in a relatively short period of time. After the holidays and it, most people settle into the winter blues and simply go through the motions until spring. One of the best ways we've heard of to combat the winter blues is to host a Can't Wait for Summer costume party! That's right, patrons can dress up its favorite fantasy character in the spirit of warm weather and sunshine.
Costumes can also make a great way to spend some bonding time with your children. Kids love playing dress up, and pretending to be the kind of person they've always wanted to be. And believe it or not, your kids will enjoy seeing you having fun too. In fact, playing dress-up with your kids is a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime.
If you've never considered becoming involved in community theater, now may be the perfect time. But you can bet if you're speaking in public, or you simply enjoy acting, community theater is a great way to express yourself and your talents. Not only that, becoming involved in community theater will also allow you the opportunity to utilize some of your favorite costumes. And believe us, you don't have to be a costume designer to appreciate a selection of high quality pieces.
The use of costumes can also help spice up a romance. While we don't think it's necessary to get graphic about this opportunity, you might want to consider discussing the option with your significant other.
And hey, perhaps you're one of the many thousands of individuals to go all out for Halloween - if so, there's no time like the present to prepare your arsenal of costumes for the many Halloween parties, the trick-or-treating, and the pure fun of the holiday. You may find yourself a loss as to which costumes to choose. You might find it beneficial to browse through high-quality selection to get some ideas for your costuming fun.