If you love the fashion of the 1920’s and have been itching for an excuse to put on that flapper costume or pinstripe gangster costume then it might be time to host a Roaring 20’s themed Murder Mystery party.

The 20’s is a decade not just well known for its unparalled shift in women’s fashion, but it was also a time of prohibition, bootlegging, gangsters and corrupt lawmen. While these were certainly years of huge cultural transformations the allure to this period has undeniably maintained it’s seductive charm, and with a 1920’s costume and some good company it’s the perfect time period for recreating and reenacting the shadowy events of a speakeasy crime scene.

These uproariously fun role playing games are a perfect excuse for getting a crowd together or throwing a dinner party, and having an entire room of people all dressed in the same costume theme is be nothing short of entertaining. Besides, the style of a 1920’s costume for men or women means the evening will be a relatively formal event, and guests are likely to show up looking extremely dapper and especially lovely in their gangster and flapper costumes.

Of course when it comes to throwing a party like this it’s important that the guest list includes people who will come ready to embrace the role of their assigned character. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a great actor or not (after all, you won’t be up for an Oscar) but to really enjoy the game the way it is intended to be played everyone should plan on being dressed in their 1920’s costume and have a good idea of the role their character will have as the evening unfolds.

There’s always a great reason to dress up, and Murder Mystery nights make for an amusing and often hilarious setting for enjoying the company of friends in a way you’ve never seen them before.

January and February are both big months for football, and with Superbowl XLVI (46) in just a few weeks there is still plenty of time to put together a sports costume for the big day. While many people opt to dress in the jersey of their favorite team, what are you to do if you’re team isn’t in the Superbowl this year? You could hang on to your pride and wear your jersey anyway, or you could surprise everyone on game day by showing up in funny, sexy or classic football costume.

One only needs to have a look at the likes of LA Raiders fans, affectionately known as Raider Nation, or the well know Cheese Heads in Green Bay to understand that dressing up in wild sports costumes is a widely accepted and even integral part of a team’s fan base. Besides, people love a reason to dress up, and sporting events in general are a great opportunity to have some fun with creative costume ideas.

If football isn’t your thing then there’s still a pretty good chance you’ll be able to find a costume that matches your preferred sport. There’s a big selection of great sports costumes out there for practically every sporting event, and even after the season is over and we wait patiently for the next year, you’ll probably find another reason to put that sports costumes on between now and the next championship game.

Mardi Gras 2012 is right around the corner, and a few weeks ago we wrote about Mardi Gras masks and how they can be the perfect accessory to compliment the big parties that are coming up in the next few months. Whether it’s white sands and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or revelry on Bourbon Street, getting dressed up in wild masks, beads and even elaborate Mardi Gras costumes is a highly anticipated event for people all around the world.

Anyone who has ever been to a celebration like this already knows that elaborate, ornate, grandiose and even hilarious Mardi Gras masks and costumes are all an integral part of the festivities. From Mardi Gras Kings and Queens to purple velvet pimp suits and sultry harlequins, there truly is a Mardi Gras costume and look that everyone can enjoy wearing.

What’s even better is that it doesn’t matter if you’d prefer to remain somewhat modest in your attire or would rather steer towards the more scantily clad approach. If there was ever a time to put on a truly outrageous costume with completely unabashed feelings about whether or not someone might think your crazy then this very well may be your chance. Go fashionable, go funky or go completely uninhibited. Whatever you choose, you’ll undoubtedly fit into a crowd somewhere among the fun.

Part of the tradition of Mardi Gras carousing is to do something off the wall and crazy, but in the end the goal for most people is to just have a great time, so here’s our Mardi Gras tip of the day:

Before you head out to the party this year, why not grab a stack of simple Domino Mardi Gras masks and hand them out during the week of festivities. It might be a great way to meet some new friends, and those party goers who were on the fence about dressing up will appreciate the fact that you were thoughtful enough to come equipped with some extras party favors

So get ready for the fun, and remember that Mardi Gras masks and costumes are party ready every month of the year and are great to have on hand the next time Halloween rolls around.

Whether your Christmas outfit means dressing up in a Santa Costume, or dressing up like Clark Griswold, there isn’t a shortage of great costume ideas when the holidays roll around. And if you’re looking for some last minute Christmas costume inspiration then why not turn to cinema for some great costume ideas?

Spending time with friends and family is one of the best things about the holidays, and people have all kinds of traditions that get carried on year after year. From White Elephant exchange to ugly Christmas sweaters, Yule Tide traditions really are something to look forward to year after year. In my house watching a few Christmas movies is a requirement during the holidays.

So here is my own top ten list of Christmas movies, in no particular order. Even though some of them may not have a Christmas message (and probably aren’t kid friendly), all of them at least have Santa hats and Christmas lights in them, and that’s all it took to qualify them for the list.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

2. A Christmas Story

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

4. It’s a Wonderful Life

5. Scrooged

6. Elf

7. Gremlins

8.  Home Alone

9. Die Hard

10. Love Actually

At a minimum, you’ll be entertained watching these Christmas classics, and if you’re done dressing up this year, maybe you’ll get some great Christmas costume ideas for next year’s parties.

Happy Holidays!

If there were ever a good time of year to slip behind the veil of a seductive, simple or sophisticated Mardi Gras mask then the next few months should allow plenty of opportunities as New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras and Carnival all draw near.

Mardi Gras masks and masquerade masks are really two different ways of describing the same thing, but the real difference lies in the ornateness and complexity of the mask. Mardi Gras masks range from very simple styles such as a Domino mask to exquisitely detailed handmade Venetian masks, and prices vary from as low as a few dollars up to nearly a hundred dollars.

No matter your budget or the reason you need a mask, there really are a countless number of options to choose from, and you’ll be sure to find a mask that is the perfect compliment to your masquerade ball formal wear, or costume for the big celebration.

New Year’s Eve – The most popular time of year to have a Masquerade Ball it’s New Year’s Eve, and it’s not too late to order your mask and have it in plenty of time to count down to 2012 behind the mysterious and seductive veneer of a masquerade mask.

Carnival – The most famous Carnival celebration in the world is in Rio de Janeiro, but Carnival is celebrated in other locations all around the world in the weeks leading up to Lent. Find the Carnival festivities nearest you, choose your Mardi Gras mask and be sure and head to the party this February.

Mardi Gras – The American version of Carnival has become known as one of the most vibrant parties in the country. The event covers several weeks and is full of raucous events, parades, and revelers dressed in outrageous costumes, and of course, wildly baroque Mardi Gras masks.

Wearing a Mardi Gras mask to a party or a ball can be an exhilarating experience. If you have the opportunity to take advantage of an event that encourages the use of a mask, be sure to give it a try.

Reenacting the birth of Christ is something that is meaningful to many people, and the opportunity to act out these scenes is a privilege for many, whether you’re a professional actor, a student in a school play or just a little girl dressed up in a Mary costume.

With that in mind, lets do a quick review of the main characters needed to perform a genuine nativity scene.

The Holy Family: This of course refers to the Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the three of them are the pillar of any nativity reenactment or display.  Both a Mary costume and a Joseph costume tend to consist of a full-length tunic or robe, along with a headscarf for Mary and a headpiece or scarf for Joseph. If you’re playing the part of Joseph then don’t forget to let the facial hair grow, or get a costume beard.

Wisemen and Shepherds: The Biblical Magi consisted of Three Kings, or Wisemen, who have been referred to in Western Christianity as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, and their costumes are slightly more elaborate than the other characters in a nativity scene. Shepherds also traveled to visit the Christ Child, and a shepherd costume can consist of a simple tunic or robe, a headpiece and a shepherds crook.

Manger Animals: While a little more difficult to recruit as a cast member, especially if you’re working on a budget, nativity animals are an important part of the nativity scene. While some professional productions may use real animals in a reenactment, that’s usually not practical for a smaller version. If you’re doing it at home you could try and dress up the cat and dog, or look for some animal costumes or animal ears.

Remember, this special season only comes once a year. So regardless of whether you need a high quality biblical costume for a full scale production, or you’ve just decided to put together a kids biblical costume out of materials you already have, wearing these costumes can be a reminder that the true spirit of the holidays means something more than just exchanging gifts.

If it’s your job, or maybe just your hobby, to put on a Santa Costume every year and play the part of Old St. Nick then you probably already know that doing so requires a little bit of effort and the right costume parts in order to pull off one of the most important costumes ever.

If you have plans of dressing up like the real Santa for the first time this year in order to give him some much needed help, then here’s what you need to know right away. When purchasing a Santa costume, be aware that the following items are typically included in your initial purchase: Red jacket, red pants, red hat, black belt, boot covers and white gloves.

In most cases, the rest of the costume accessories have to be bought individually. If you’re a veteran at this gig then these are also the items that are likely candidates for upgrade or replacement from year to year (depending on how many kids climb into your lap over the course of three weeks during the month of December).

Belly – If your natural figure makes you a skinny Santa then you might want to consider a Santa belly. It’s a mandatory feature in order to look like the real Santa, and it automatically enhances your sense of jolliness.

Boots or Boot Covers – Asphalt shingles and trips down the chimney are tough on Santa Boots and boot covers. As are trips through the slush and snow in mall parking lots.

Glasses – Add a level of sophistication to the Santa costume look while observing the list of naughty and nice kids. Keep a backup pair handy as Santa glasses are easily destroyed by infants and toddlers who are visiting for pictures.

Gloves – Most of the white Santa gloves you could buy would never keep your hands warm if you were the real deal and flying a sleigh all night on Christmas Eve, but they’re necessary for other duties. And since their white, it’s a good idea to have a few pairs readily available.

Present Sack – This isn’t necessarily a requirement for Santa’s helpers, since in many cases they won’t be doing the actual delivery. But it is very handy nonetheless when the need arises to make special deliveries from the North Pole.

Bell – As if you weren’t raising enough attention to yourself already, nothing draws in a crowd like a giant bell. Couple it with your hearty Santa Ho, Ho, Ho and watch the kids come running.

Suspenders – Functional and fashionable, suspenders are great for keeping those big red pants pulled up. They also add a nice touch to the outfit when you take off your coat and head to the workshop

Santa Wig and Beard – Of course no Santa costume is complete without this quintessential accessory. Many of the deluxe Santa wig and beard sets even include eyebrows and two-sided adhesive tape, so the little ones will have a hard time revealing your true identity.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

If you think that dressing up as Santa is the only reason there is to put on a costume this holiday season then think again. When it comes to Christmas costumes there are a lot of great options that can be fun to wear anytime during the month of December, whether you’re going to a Christmas party or playing a role in a holiday play.

Elf Costumes – Pointy ears, funny shoes–an elf costumes is a fun way to entertain kids, brighten up the mood in a classroom, or even to be used as an excuse to act like a goofball. Besides, every kid knows that elves report back to Santa, so hopefully they’ll be extra nice if they see a Christmas elf.

Biblical Costumes – The retelling of the Nativity is a solemn event that for many people is synonymous with the holiday season. Biblical costumes come in sizes for adults and children, and it’s great entertainment to see kids dress up in nativity costumes and have them the perform their own rendition.

Christmas Animals – Prance on the rooftops in a full reindeer costume, Dance about as a holiday bear or scuttle about as a holiday penguin. Whatever animal you choose, you shouldn’t have a problem finding some ‘wild’ holiday fun.

Angel Costumes – Angels are another great production costume that embodies this exciting time of year. In a season dictated by who’s naughty and who’s nice, just remember that you might want to save the dark angel costume until after Santa has already been to your house.

Other Christmas Symbols & Characters – Of course, if dressing up like a person or an animal isn’t for you then why not head to your next party dressed in a  Christmas tree costume, a delicious ginger bread man costume, or even still, a plush snowman costume. We guarantee you won’t melt away, but there is a chance someone might try and nibble on you if you dress as a delicious cookie.

Sometimes we forget that there’s a great costume for nearly every holiday and occasion. So don’t feel like you have to wear a Santa costume or Mrs. Clause costume in order to dress up this holiday season, with all the entertaining characters to choose from there’s definitely a Christmas costume for everyone.

You see them working the crowds at sporting events, parties, and restaurants – mascots with giant heads creating excitement for teams, schools and companies. Mascot costumes must look good, be animated with skilled performers, and represent supportive organizations in a positive light.

The aim of these mascots is to boost attendance, promote enthusiasm, and maybe even increase awareness or sales. Accomplishing these goals takes practice, aptitude, and patience. Our top three tips for bringing your character to life will help you masterfully animate your mascot costume.

1. Be Comical

People want to enjoy themselves while at an event, and the best way to ensure that is to incite laughter. Keep the energy level high while reflecting the personality of your mascot. Exaggerate your movements, acting bigger than life during a whimsical dance or when “accidentally” stumbling and falling.

Improvising when performing your skit by playing off the crowd’s reactions brings another level of realism to your character. Throw in an “Aw shucks!” motion with a sweeping kick and hooking your arm in front of you, or act scared by running away, covering your eyes, shaking your knees and peeking through your hands.

Join in the laughter by bringing your hands to your mouth while rapidly nodding your head. Of course the mascot should be silent, only communicating with body language. Any talk or sounds will only be muffled by the costume.

2. Be Warm and Sincere

Getting people to buy into your mascot character is easy when you show real emotions. Blow kisses, draw hearts in the air and then point at the person, or hug back if someone has first initiated it. When hugging children, gently pat them on the back or head to avoid an awkward situation.

Shake hands with fans, give high fives, and wave at the crowd. The goal is to always keep your hands and arms busy so that your arms are never just hanging by your sides.

Slower movements around children will make them feel more at ease, instead of being intimidated by your huge presence. Continue to exaggerate your motions while being calm.

3. Be “Body” Smart

The larger head, feet and body that are typically associated with mascot costumes make it difficult to be graceful while performing. The best way to overcome this is to practice in the costume. Climb stairs, move through doorways, and dance around to get comfortable with your increased size.

Know your boundaries when in costume. Are you on a parade float or in the bleachers? Your vision will be somewhat impaired along with your range of motion, so look carefully before moving from one spot to another to prevent injury to yourself or others.

It is a good idea to have an escort when possible to help spot when others are approaching and to intervene if a confrontation occurs. The escort can also help facilitate communication between the fans and the mascot.

Limit the time spent in the mascot costume to 30 minutes when possible to prevent overheating. Stay well hydrated during your performance, and eat salty snacks before and after to help replenish the sodium lost through perspiration.

Above all else, respect the audience while in your mascot costume. They are the reason you are there, and you want to be endearing to them.

Think back to your own childhood. I bet there are a few dress up items you can remember from the playroom that stand out as all time favorites. Now think about some of the classic kids costume styles that our little ones want to wear today. Are they that much different? Maybe a few, but chances are good that there are many kids costumes you might have pulled out of the costume box decades ago that your kids would be excited to wear today.

Besides the trendy new kids costumes based on movies, television shows and pop singers that are all the rage one year and gone the next, there are some incredibly resilient costume characters who continue to stand the test of time. Here’s a short list of just a few of the most popular kids costumes for young girls and boys, in no particular order, that you’re likely to see year after year on Halloween, birthdays and any other day for that matter.

Kids Costumes for Boys

Superheroes: Batman,  Superman and Spiderman stand out as the favorites here. But truth be told, all that most little boys need for year round fun is an awesome cape and a vivid imagination. It’s quite possibly the most simple dress up accessory a little boy could have.

Ninjas: There’s something inherently boy-like and tough about dressing up in a Ninja costume when you’re young. In fact, I insisted on dressing up as a Ninja three years in a row, much to the chagrin of my mother.

Dracula: Is there any man out there who wasn’t dressed up in a Dracula costume at least once as a kid? Well, probably. But for many young boys, painting your face white and adding a small trickle of blood to the corner of your mouth, slicking your hair back, and donning that dark cape is not only a great kids costume, but a right of passage.

Kids Costumes for Girls

Princess: From fairy tale storybooks to Disney movies, the concept of wearing a princess costume to many little girls is as natural as the love of shoes they’ll develop later in life. And much like the cape is for the boy, the tiara is an accessory that requires little else to go with it to inspire enjoy hours of imaginative play.

Ballerina/Fairy: I group these two costumes not because they are the same thing, but more to highlight another mandatory accessory in a little girls kids costume wardrobe: the tutu. If there were ever a reason to spin, twirl, dance about (while quite possibly grossing out the little boys) this is it. The original inspirational item for dancers everywhere.

Witch: The pointy hat, black gown and broomstick has always been the darker, but still playful classic kids costume for girls. But these days there are a wide variety of bright, bold and playful witch costumes that have bright socks and capes and are fun to wear anytime of year.

By no means is this intended to be a biased list, so what other timeless classics can you think of that are great kids costumes for Halloween year after year and perfect for every day dress up? The image for this post is another costume that could have made the list of ideas ideas, and we’d love to hear yours as well.