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Nursing Home Halloween

susanna | Posted in General Discussion on

Every year, I costume residents of a nursing home for a Halloween party, and I’d like some new ideas for their big dress up day. I have about 1 1/2 hours to costume about 75 people, and it is usually from the waist up…many are in wheelchairs, some use walkers, a few can walk by themselves. We can use makeup but no masks other than eye masks. I have one other helper.

I have a large stash of all sorts of fabric I could use to make some new costumes. Any creative new ideas out there?

Replies

  1. GailAnn | | #1

    Whew!!!!   What an ambitious project..........! 

    What comes to mind is ..........

    Orange Sweatshirt, you are a pumpkin. 

    Black Sweatshirt, you are a cat.

    White Sweatshirt, you are a ghost.

    Red Sweatshirt, well....red sweatshirt......you know what you are.

    Of course, one year when my daughter was dressed as just the CUTEST little "pillowcase ghost", when someone asked her what she was, she said, "A sack." 

    Gail 

  2. lbbray | | #2

    It just so happens I was looking at costumes just yesterday in one of the pattern books. There are some absolutely darling pet costumes. I would like at that section since they are usually for just around the pets necks or chest area (if a cat & dog have a chest area, hmmmmmm). That should give you some great ideas. Clown ruffles, choirboy collars, vampire capes would work too. Use velcro or snaps rather than draw strings I would think. And may I add that I think what you are doing is a great idea. Bless you for thinking of the residents and bringing some joy and play to their lives.

  3. fabricholic | | #3

    Oh, fun. How 'bout a Hershey's Kiss, Scarlet and Rhett Butler, Superman with a big S on the front of the shirt. Shirley Temple with curls. If you could think of some characters around their generation, that would be good. I will try to think of some more.Marcy

  4. Jumala | | #4

    This reminds back in 7th grade at Halloween time. The school had a party which the kids came dressed up. Being my parents were poor, they gave me a shopping bag with 2 holes for eyes and drawn whiskers and told me I am a cat. At the party there was a girl dressed up (costume) as a mouse which I chased after several times. I think that girl got sick of me after a while. We were in the same grade and school.

    Dennis

  5. user-51823 | | #5

    what a nice thing form you to do. hats are also easy, and headbands with various kinds of ears attached using hot glue.
    outrageous 'jewelry' can be ade using wide sequined trim.

    Edited 9/20/2007 10:24 pm ET by msm-s

  6. rodezzy | | #6

    Since they are mature adults, how about taking a theme like the roaring 20's or 1890's and do some mature costumes.  Maybe past famous people - president's and such.  You can take two pieces of material and paint on tuxedos or dress fronts, use or make wigs from that era. 

     

    1. susanna | | #7

      Thank you for all of these creative suggestions! I was in kind of a rut, using the same costumes over & over. Go Gatherings!

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