Seven years ago, prior to having children, I noticed how cheap Halloween costumes were at yard sales. I decided to collect as many as I could with this lending program in mind. Two years ago, I opened my hallway to friends with 70 costumes to choose from.
Friends began donating their old costumes instead of bringing them to GoodWill. I then moved the Program to my garage where I stored 200 Costumes to lend out last year. Again to friends and at no charge.
This year, I reached 300 costumes! I was able to open the program up to all of Clark County This year. I just lent out my 100th costume this week! The inventory grew so large I had to move it to our guest bedroom.
The costumes will now be available to the community year round. Families have a resource for borrowing costumes when needed for theme birthday parties, school activities, parades and dress up playdates
This year, I reached 300 costumes! I was able to open the program up to all of Clark County This year. I just lent out my 100th costume this week! The inventory grew so large I had to move it to our guest bedroom.
The costumes will now be available to the community year round. Families have a resource for borrowing costumes when needed for theme birthday parties, school activities, parades and dress up playdates
The beauty of this program is anyone can create it. Just start with your local friends and ask them to donate their costumes to you. I love that it's free and that it inspires community spirit!
October 2014
Our costume Inventory grew this year! We now have close to 500 costumes. Here are some new pics of the updated room. I had to find a better storage and display system to keep everything organized.
Section 1
Section 3:
Our mirror area. Those benches are Ikea TV stands. I plan to add foam and nice fabric to the top. Did you know that you can staple gun fabric to the Ikea units? It's such an easy install!
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Section 2
Section 4: I added two Billy shelves to create multiple hanging solutions and shelving.
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Section 5: These are Pottery Barn storage units. I scored them all for just $50! A total savings of $950! I'm so excited about these because they are the perfect catch all for all our accessories.
Themed Birthday parties have been a huge hit!
Since Halloween, we have been lending out costumes for local themed birthday parties. So far we have lent out 200+ costumes for various themes. We even have fun props! Our enchanted Lion has been the biggest hit. The kids named him Dirt. He's a large, plush Lion that can carry two to three children.
Local School Theater Departments
Just started reaching out to local schools to let their theater departments know that we have 300+ costumes for them to use throughout the year for their various shows. Community serving the community! It's so rewarding.
March 13, 2014
Received approximatrely 100 girls princess and dance costumes as a donation from a local thrift store https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pipsqueak-Resale-Boutique/75496970870 That brings our costume inventory up to 400+ costumes!
Local Preschools are now getting some good use of the costumes. They are borrowing the costumes for themed story book reading and imagination week curriculums.
Local Preschools are now getting some good use of the costumes. They are borrowing the costumes for themed story book reading and imagination week curriculums.
Up to approximately 700 costumes now! After Halloween, I contacted local kid thrift stores seeking their left over costumes. As it turns out, these stores donate their left over costumes. We added over 100 great pieces to our inventory from these shops.
December 27, 2014
December 27, 2014