Costumes

Costumes. They seem harmless enough until pieces of a witch’s hat, a superhero cape, and a random clown wig are still haunting the house in mid-November. Halloween might be over, but remnants of make-believe tend to linger long after the candy’s gone.

In our home, we’ve learned not to toss everything — costume accessories are gold during Spirit Week or random themed school days. So, this week’s mini-sort is about gathering, sorting, and simplifying your costume stash.

Step 1: Gather.
Go on a quick costume hunt — bedrooms, toy bins, closets, laundry rooms. Collect all the stray wigs, wings, and wands.

Step 2: Sort.
Head to your existing costume bin (or create one if you don’t have it yet). Pull everything out and assess: what still fits, what’s worth saving, and what’s had its day.

Step 3: Edit.
Make three piles — keep, donate, and trash.

• Keep the pieces that fit and still have future potential (those accessories always come in handy).

• Donate gently used full costumes or accessories that no longer fit.

• Toss anything broken, stained, or unraveling beyond repair.

Step 4: Reset.
Add this year’s costume pieces to your bin, label it clearly, and store it in the garage or another easy-to-reach spot for next year.

A little costume reset now means no last-minute chaos next time your child suddenly needs to be a “space cowboy” on a Tuesday.