Yesterday, while looking through a family album, I spotted some pictures of homemade Purim costumes I have made over the years. I don’t particularly like store-bought costumes, so over the years I have gathered many original Purim costume ideas to dress up my kids. Homemade costumes are cheaper, more versatile, and more fun than the run-of-the-mill offerings available for sale. None of these costumes require any sewing, so you can make them yourself from items you already have at home. Now that’s something even moms can enjoy.
Shulchan Arukh or Purim seuda
Here is an original costume idea. Start with a disposable tablecloth. Cut an opening for the head in the middle. Using a stapler or a glue gun attach disposable dishes, napkins, and silverware (preferably colorful).
Cowboy/cowgirl
For a cowboy costume, dress in a plaid shirt, a pair of jeans or a skirt (either jeans or tiered), and boots. Add a hat, vest, and a handgun. If you have a bandana, tie it around your neck.
Japanese lady
Wear a kimono (or a similar looking bath robe) with a sash tied in the back like this.
Pull hair back into a bun and stick in several chopsticks. For make-up use pale white face powder, bright lipstick, and prominent black eye liner. An oriental fan is a great way to complete this costume.
Arab lady
Wear a long zip-up robe, a long simple dress, or a tunic with a long wide skirt. Fold a large square scarf into a triangle, pin under the chip, and let the corners hang loose or wrap one side around the neck and the back of the head and pin up behind the opposite ear.
Butterfly
Start with a brightly colored jumper or leggings and turtleneck. From a piece of sturdy cardboard cut out wings and decorate with colorful paper, stickers, glitter, and paint. Attach the wings to the jumper with Velcro or safety pins. Attach two pipe cleaners to a headband and glue a pom pom to each.
Chef
White shirt, black pants or skirt, and a colorful apron are easy to come by. For the hat, cut a wide strip of white cardboard to go around your child’s head and staple the ends. Using white tissue paper, form the crown of the hat and attach to the cardboard band. A spatula or a wooden spoon will complete the costume.
Artist
An over-sized shirt sprinkled with paint, a beret, paint brushes in the front pocket, and a palette from cardboard (with paint stains). Costumes don’t get easier than that.
Pippi the Long-stocking (Bilbi for Hebrew speakers)
This costume consists of a jumper or dress with glued, ironed-on, or sewn-on patches, bright mismatched socks, and large shoes. Braid the hair into two braids, straighten a wire hanger, and stick a piece of wire through each braid so that they stick out to the sides. With an eye-liner, draw freckles. For the perfect Pippi, dye the hair red and add a toy monkey.
What are your favorite homemade Purim costume ideas? Please share with us.
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How interesting. Many years ago, my 2nd daughter decided to dress up as the Purim seudah, as well. She got a shallow carton, cut a hole for her head, and glued on 1/2 of a small disposable tablecloth. Then we glued on disposable plates, napkins and flatware, and attached a hamantashen to each plate. in the center, from posterboard, we created a vase (with 2 eyeholes… ) and attached fake flowers to the inside.
BTW my name is also Leah, and I grew up in the states, but now live in Ukraine on shlichus!
I’m dressing my little brother up as a jewish pirate. He’s wearing tzitzit over a red or white shirt, blue pants, a sword, bandana, pirate hat, and gelt.