Christmas and Hanukkah shopping lists get harder to create every year. It can be even more difficult when someone has interests that you know nothing about. Do you have a budding costumer? A loved one that loves to dress up? This is the list you’ve been waiting for. Here are ten great costume related gift ideas for your friends and family.

10. Gift cards. Normally I’m against gift cards as they show a lack of thought about the recipient, but I’ll allow it here. Costumers don’t always know exactly what they need until they get into the store. I suggest getting small amounts for fabric stores like Hancock, craft stores like Joann’s, and hardware stores like Home Depot.

9. Sequined surprises. Look for outrageous items that can add spice to their daily or special occasion wardrobe. Sequined bow ties and beaded scarves add some nice flash to any look.

8. Stuffed Stockings. Fill the Christmas stocking with accessories. Stock up on the season’s big sale item: costume jewelry. Add hair clips, pins, and falls to the stocking. Don’t forget belts, ties, scarves, glasses, and tights.

7. Sewing How-to. Eventually all costumers need to sew something. Give them a beginner book like The Complete Book of Sewing.

6. Gift Set. Drugstores and department stores stock makeup gift sets this time of year. They range in price from $5 - $50. The diverse colors lend themselves to experimentation. Pair a makeup gift set with a travel case or tackle box for makeup storage.

5. Makeup How-to. There are lots of great make up books on the shelves. I like Kevyn Aucoin’s Face Forward. It begins with basic makeup technique and evolves into to trick makeup and extreme looks. Face Forward is written for the beginner and the advanced makeup user.

4. Wig. Pick out a fun crazy wig or classic cut and color. If you know your costumer is working on a specific design, try to find a wig that matches. You don’t have to bust the bank shopping for a real hair wig. Shoot for something in the $30-40 range and it will be fine.

3. DVDs. Pick out a DVD that has great costumes. The Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog is in pre-order right now. Or the very vivid Pushing Daisies season one. The old Hollywood spectacle musicals had great costumes. Don’t forget to buy wide screen.

2. Convention tickets. Is your costumer into a particular genre? If so, give him or her passes to Wizard Con, Dragon Con, or Anime Expo.

1. Rockin’ New Year’s Costume. Give the gift of fun. Surprise your friend with an Elvis jumpsuit and glasses. Share the girl power with a Madonna costume. Think exciting. Rock idols and movie stars are perfect for big nights like New Year’s Eve parties.

There you have it. Ten gifts any costumer would love. You can personalize your gifts buy adding a little pizazz to the packaging. Use remnant fabric for the wrapping. Tie some bobbins to the bow. And top it all off with a small pot of body glitter.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the warm oranges and reds contrasting with the dark greens. The cooler weather is pleasant and perfect for star gazing with a thermos of hot chocolate. Autumn has inspired me to create a seasonal costume. I call it “Autumn Spirit.” I was going to go with Sprite but I don’t have ear points to complete the fae look. Spirit it shall be.

Materials:
Lots of silk leaves assorted autumn colors
Brown leggings
Brown scarf or remnant fabric
Tank top or sports bra
Autumn notions like berries and twigs
Autumn candle ring (optional)
Method:
Safety pins, glue, or sewing machine

This is a good time of year for Autumn crafts as many stores have them reduced going into the Holiday season. My supplies were 66% off. Silk leaves come as both stems and vines. Pick out the colors and shapes you like. I went with the reddish and orange brown maple leaves. I also have a few olive green leaves for accent.

Lucky for me, my fabric store had seasonal material at 60% off. I found a brown and orange netting remnant that I thought would work nicely. I wrapped tied the material around my neck and let it drape down. I assembled the costume as I put it on. A leaf here…a leaf there. You may find it easier to arrange the leaves on your clothes before donning them. If you’d like a more permanent costume, sew the leaves to your outfit.

The hair should be wild. I made large rings and pinned the hair. Some of the hair is simply twisted and banded to have wild spiky ends. I added Autumn notions in a sort of crown effect. A seasonal candle ring can be a ready-made crown. Bobby pin the ring or notions in place. Then get ready for some crazy makeup.

Bronze, gold, and brown were the main colors used to achieve this look. I started with a sweep of bronze color under the cheek bone. Then blended it with a light brown blusher on the cheek bone. I lined my lips in a neutral flesh color. Then filled them with a bronze lipstick. The eyes are were the trickiest part. Deep brown, almost coffee colored, lines the upper and lower lash line. Brick in turn lines the dark brown. The eyes are finished with a healthy dusting of gold. I used raisin mascara on the lashes, but fake eyelashes would be great here. Then I went a little kooky. I applied eyelash glue and small feathers to the browline. I thought it would be more whimsical. It’s fun. A little strange looking, but spirits aren’t supposed to look normal.

That’s it. If I were performing or attending a fall festival I would add some bronze body shimmer. Hopefully this will inspire you create a seasonal costume. Winter is only a month away, why don’t you start thinking about a snow or ice themed design. Maybe a white poinsettia in your hair like a Flamenco dancer or a maribou scarf around your neck. It can be a lot of fun.

She-Hulk is a formidable character. She’s a strong, intelligent, capable woman. I like She-Hulk. I could never be She-Hulk though as I’m too short. That doesn’t mean I can’t do a little research for you so you can be She-Hulk.

The first step is to decide which version of She-Hulk you want to be. You can be the big green hero or the big green lawyer. If you want to be the hero you need to pick a costume. When I think of She-Hulk, I picture the white and purple leotard. Jennifer at Becoming She-Hulk chose the Fantastic Four version. It’s up to you.

Let’s start with the lawyer as this is doable without body paint (your choice). You’ll need a business suit, green gloves and green tights, green wig, and green makeup. So that the greens will be similar, I suggest buying them a company that specializes in colored accessories. If you opt to dye them yourself, be aware that different fabrics take the dye at different intensities. Next apply the green makeup to your face and neck. This can be accomplished with standard cream makeup. Blend the green with another color, like white, to match the color of your gloves and tights. Use a sponge applicator and set the makeup with translucent powder. The last step is putting on your wig. You need a long hair green wig. Wigs cannot be dyed. However, they can be sprayed with temporary hair color. Doing so will make the fibers stiff. If a wig is outside your budget, use the spray color on your own hair.

All other forms of She-Hulk require body paint or a full body unitard. Body paint requires another set of hands to apply it to the hard-to-reach areas. I’ve searched the Cosplay forums looking for the best body paint. Reading everyone’s opinions and looking at their costume results, I’m going to recommend Aquacolor. I have no first hand knowledge of body paint, but this seems to have consistent results and easy application. There are liquid paints for use in air brush guns if you’d prefer. Also consider using a setting spray.

Her costume is a purple and white leotard. She wears purple fingerless gloves and purple and white athletic shoes. The no-sew option is to buy a zipper front leotard then paint it the appropriate colors. Spandex cannot be dyed at home so paint must be used. Look for paints that won’t crack with the stretch of the spandex. Otherwise you can use a bathing suit or dance pattern to sew a purple and white leotard. Buy a pair of $1 purple gloves and cut out the fingers. Some costumers wear colored gloves instead of paint on their hands. Test the makeup on your arm or leg to get the application down and to find out how well it holds up to movement.

If you’re adventurous, you can use liquid latex. A few costumers at Cosplay use latex instead of body paint. Research which method fits your budget. She-Hulk will be an impressive costume. Good luck!

Ah, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rocky Horror Show. Lots of great costume possibilities and crazy characters. Check local listings for special Halloween showings and regular monthly events. The audience participation makes for a memorable experience. Neither the movie or musical is for kids.

I’m not sure what you mean, Guest 3204. I don’t have any Columbia costumes since I don’t sell costumes. Do I know where to find a Columbia costume? Right here. The costume you’re most likely to find is the satin shorts, sequined bustier, and top hat. If you want one of her other costumes from the movie, you’ll have to assemble it on your own. Or you can do your interpretation of Columbia. When theaters put on Rocky Horror shows, they often put their own artistic (costuming) spin on the characters. Why can’t you?

Let’s see, her other costumes include the mouse ears and men’s pajamas, lab apron with mask, and the floor show lingerie. Make sure your mouse ears don’t have a logo or embroidered name. The apron is worn over the bustier and shorts. Instead of a bow tie, she is now wearing a small dog collar. I’m at a lost for the mask. I don’t know where you’d find one. On to the floor show: panties, corset, fishnets, boa, and glove. You’ll need one red sequined gauntlet. Columbia’s corset is tied at the top. Basic black corset with sequins along the top edges and some along the bottom. Look for the red scrunchy garters at lingerie stores. The boa is the trickiest part of her floor show costume. I’m not aware of any black, red, and yellow tulle boas on the market. Look around, you never know where you’ll find one. Worst case: you make it yourself.

The makeup. Columbia has pencil thin eyebrows. This will require you to cover your eyebrows (I assume you don’t want to remove your eyebrows). One way it to smooth down your eyebrows using spirit gum. Brush your eyebrows down then cover with the first coat of spirit gum. Let this dry completely for about 4 minutes. Press down on your eyebrows to make sure they’re flat and add another coat. Use your discretion with the number (about 4) of spirit gum layers (brow wax, appliances, and latex are other options). Once the eyebrows feel and look smooth, you can begin to add the makeup. Powder is a good start and will help the makeup set. Use a base that is one color lighter than normal, or concealer, for the first coat. Then use you normal base to blend the eyebrow to your skin color. Stipple on another round of powder. Lastly, draw on the curved eyebrow. Once you’ve applied the rest of your makeup, set everything with more powder. You don’t need to buy expensive spirit gum remover. Baby oil should do just fine.

Powder is important. Never forget it!

And you simply cannot go without the big gaudy fake eyelashes.

Mouse Ears: Magical Memories, Treasure Kingdom,
A Pinch of Pixie Dust.

Check out the RHPS livejournal for more help from a community of Rocky costume lovers and performers.

We’d love to see pictures of you dressed as Columbia.