Feeling festive yet? Well I am most definitely feeling it on campus with trees being put up in uni buildings, weather changes and, flat roast dinners in the calendar. It’s important before we head off for the break to get our pre-celebrations in with friends. Why not get creative this year and dress up for your Christmas feasts and fetes? I’ve compiled a list of budget friendly Christmas costumes to help you take the best group pictures and make the most of the holiday season in your city
The Grinch
A much beloved Christmas icon, representing the warmth of friends and company during the holidays when things can feel rather icy. This year why not go for a Christmas costume with a side of mischief? An easy adaptation includes: some green face paint- usually around £3-4 in a party or craft shop, a red jacket and white scarf and some green gloves (try thrifting). To get that scrunched nose, try adding some grey or dark green eyeshadow for the wrinkles and use either black or white card and some safety pins or fashion tape to make the coat buttons. Finish with a frosty pale lip colour to top it off- though the cold should have that effect anyways.
I have included a tutorial here for some face painting inspiration.
Rudolph and the reindeers
Rudolph and his gang is a great costume for a Christmas pub crawl or a very coordinated looking dinner table. Either way, this costume is a cheap and easy way to participate in the fun. You might have some antlers left over from Halloween but you can also make them yourself. Sticks are free just go to the park or your back garden, clean them up a bit, and using either a glue gun or strong tape attach to a plastic headband (Boots, Superdrug, Supermarkets). You could also use some pipe cleaners (Rymans sells these for around £1-2) and either red lipstick or felt and eyelash glue (skin safe) to attach your red nose. Clothing could be anything brown and white and if your’r going all in, a pompom or two and a safety pin from a craft shop makes an easy tail.
Christmas Elf
This costume can be put together last minute, whether you’re making toys as one or in a team. All you need is red/green/white neck tie, you could even substitute for a soft fabric strip from a craft shop that can always be upcycled or used for costumes later on- cutting it into a jagged collar and secure with a safety pin. Then you could either use a red/green jumper or an oversized green shirt to make it almost like a dress, these can usually be thrifted or purchased in the basics section of Primark. To make it more elf-ish, I would add a buckle belt round the waist to secure the uniform and finish off with some coloured tights or plain trousers and black boots. Add a Christmas hat and you’re ready for your shift at the factory.
This article using felt and hot glue can help out for those wanting a no-sew tutorial.
Candy cane colours!
This Christmas costume is all about the colours- red and white. Try finding some striped clothes either through thrifting or reusing a Where’s Waldo Halloween costume. Lingerie shops do festive themed stockings and accessories like these red and white striped tights from Ann Summers which go perfectly over some leggings. If you’re wanting to keep it simple, you could even get a long sleeve red shirt and use toilet paper, folded neatly in on itself to make thinner stripes, or a roll of white party streamers. Using tape or a stapler and the help of a friend create your stripes and secure in place. There is always the option of buying real candy canes and making a headband or even DIY earrings with some hoops and tape to secure them in place. I know I’d just end up eating them before dinner.
The Snowman
Simple and effective, and perfectly imperfect, snowmen are not only cute but easy to recreate. All you need for this Christmas costume is an all white outfit and add some felt buttons using either safety pins or fabric glue. Spruce it up with a colourful scarf, some gloves and a cozy hat. This outfit is great for the chilly walk into town or on the way to a gathering with friends, just make sure you have your carrot nose. You can use a real one or try rolling some paper into a cone shape and securing with a gentle tape like washi or an elastic string from a craft shop
Ebeneezer Scrooge
Another Christmas costume fit for a literature enthusiast. All you need is a dressing gown or you could go all in and find a victorian-style night dress with a matching night cap. Add some heavy duty boots or slippers for indoor events. Scrooge’s costume is not complete without his lantern as he lights his way through haunted apparitions of past, present and future. A candle will do and can be thrifted easily form a charity shop or home goods shop like B&M, just try not to set any table cloths on fire. Finish it off with some fun face makeup to imitate his scrunched nose and go the extra mile with temporary white spray hair colour like this one from Superdrug.
Christmas tree
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Another easy last minute fix and budget friendly too, a Christmas tree costume can be put together with most things you might already have at home. Any green clothing like a cozy jumper and if you’re willing to, source a tutu to add some dimension. Add a little extra with brown pipe cleaners for branches (or real ones) and if you have those decorative fake vines they can be woven around to add the foliage. Most uni students own some form of fairy lights or have bought a set of tree lights in the past for decorating accommodation, but I’m sure your flatmates can let you wear them for one night. Be careful that the bulbs don’t burn you or any fabric, LEDs are best for this, and secure the battery pack in a pocket or belt loop with a hair tie. Add some tinsel or tree topper star made from cardboard, yellow paint and glitter (you could even use eyeshadow for this no need to buy that pesky stuff) onto a headband for some extra sparkle and voila, you’re a tree!
Mean Girls group costume
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This Christmas costume is great for groups and can be sourced from local charity shops and supermarkets. Put together either a red dress or skirt/trousers and shirt combo. A fluffy touch with a feather boa can be found in most craft or fancy dress shops that can be cut and attached using glue or pins. Black tights can be sacrificed and cut for the gloves paired with some black boots. Finally add a ribbon or plain belt and dust off your Santa hats. Just be prepared with the choreography incase you are asked for an impromptu performance!
Tree topper angel or star
If you don’t fancy being the whole tree, why not just be the star? Using makeup or face paint, you can turn yourself into the ultimate tree topper, and it works great for photos if someone else goes as a tree to partner up with. If you are feeling more creative, try making a headpiece out of cardboard. Don’t forget the sparkles like adding tinsel to the edges or sparkly washi tape borders Any yellow clothes like a jacket and tutu will bring the look together. Better yet, Halloween angels bring those wings out again and a long skirt or flowy trousers. Finish it off some glittery face paint or eyeshadow, and walk around the party telling everyone your name is Gabriel.
Roast turkey
The true centre piece of any Christmas spread, and perhaps any party too. You might scare the cook that their turkey regrew its legs and ran off the table, or you will simply blend in. Use tin foil to wrap yourself up like you’re fresh out the oven, adding extra silver accents with tinsel or duct tape (over any clothes for safety). The turkey leg headpiece can be made using some wooden rods and paper to shape the drumsticks- secure with some brown and white painters tape or acrylic paint. Prop them on either side of your head either by sticking them down carefully into a space bun hairstyle or onto a hat you already own. If you want to go more traditional, brown colour clothing, some wings and feathery accents can save you buying up all of Asda’s baking equipment.
Christmas costumes are a fun way to participate in the campus cheer whether it’s with friends, flatmates or societies. It doesn’t have to be too much effort either and thrifting or DIY’ing is a budget friendly way to get your festive gear ready for the holiday season. If you’re still looking for ways to get crafty this Christmas, check out this article for some fun ideas on decoration making and where to find supplies. Happy holidays to all that celebrate!