Tap Your Creativity for a Halloween Costume

#Halloween — America’s third-favorite holiday and rising — is nearly here. If you plan to go to a party, go on a pub crawl or hand out #treats in #costume and don’t already have something picked out, you’re down to two options: Buy off the shelf or get #creative.

Here at The Organizing Blog, we prefer the latter option. It’s almost as much #fun to think up and create a costume as it is to wear one — and a DIY costume always gets more recognition and admiration in the moment when done right.

Many of the classics — old and new — are super-simple. Dracula? Just don a cape and add some plastic fangs. The mummy or Invisible Man? Rolls and rolls of gauze. Jason Voorhies? A hockey mask and some grubby clothing. A witch? Pointy hat and gothic dress.

But if you really want to exercise your #creativity, The Cub says, think about the things that you (or your child) like. Maybe there’s a favorite movie, TV show, musician or video game character; can you turn that person/concept into a costume?

A few years ago, for example, popular adult costumes included Breaking Bad’s Walter White and Jesse Pinkman; today, it’s probably more Ted Lasso, Bad Bunny, Barbie and Supergirl. Then, of course, there are the high-concept costumes: “Cereal Killer,” anyone?

Whatever you choose, the #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org are a treasure trove of lightly used #clothing, props and craft supplies that will help you complete your look.

Still stuck? There’s nothing wrong with turning to the internet for a suggestion, but we urge you to make a costume your own. Pick a concept, make a list, gather the elements (base layers, props, wig, prosthetics, etc.) and grab the glue gun if you have to.

Your costume doesn’t have to be perfect. Have some fun with it — even a DIY costume fail is better than store-bought. Happy Halloween!

Contribute to Veterans Programs — And Vote

People trust #veterans, and more are running for office than ever before. The Vietnam Veterans of America encourages readers of The Organizing Blog to read up on the issues facing veterans, the legislative proposals that could affect their support and the positions of the candidates on those proposals. There are a lot to track; Google a veterans voter’s guide in your area before you go to the polls — and support veterans any day of the week my #donating lightly used #clothing and #household goods to ClothingDonations.org. #VeteransVote

Veterans Work to Protect Elections

U.S. #veterans fought for #democracy, and veterans continue to protect elections through organizations such as VetTheVote, a nonpartisan initiative of We the Veterans and Military Families. “Its mission is simple: recruit veterans and military family members to serve as poll workers and help strengthen confidence in local elections.” Vet the Vote has recruited more than 165,000 veterans and military family members to serves as poll workers since 2022, and it aims to recruit 250,000 veterans and military family members to protect the sanctity of the midterm elections. #VeteransVote

Dedicate Your Vote to a Veteran

Longtime readers of The Organizing Blog know that they can #donate lightly used #clothing and #household goods to ClothingDonations.org to help fund valuable #veterans programs. But did you know that the U.S. Vote Foundation — an organization dedicated to voter education —lets people Vote in Honor of a Veteran? You can post a tribute to a designated veteran or active service member and pledge your vote in the person’s honor. “America’s veterans defended the right to vote, U.S. Vote Foundation Chairman Mark Ritchie said in a release. “The least we can do is use it. And now, we can honor them when we do.” #VeteransVote

Consider Veterans When You Vote

It’s an election year, and multiple bills affecting #veterans will be coming to a vote in the next months. The Major Richard Star Act finally reached a 218-signature trigger to force a vote; veteran service organizations have pushed for the bill’s passage for years, but the House went into recess before voting. “Combat-injured veterans shouldn’t have to choose between the retirement they earned and the disability compensation they’re owed,” said Mark Takano (D-CA) in a statement. “The time for that debate is over. The only person standing between these veterans and their money is Speaker Johnson, and he’s out of excuses.” #VeteransVote