Q: How do you hand-make Halloween?

Ihave fond memories of my mom sewing my costumes. She transformed me into a strawberry, created a whimsical Hershey’s Kiss costume and made a pink princess dress when I went through a fancy phase. When my daughter was born, my mother handed down these costumes. My daughter fit into my first costume, a pumpkin, so it only seemed appropriate for her very first Halloween.

I’m not as skilled with a sewing machine as my mom is, so I create costumes with reused clothing and easy sewing. Sometimes my kids’ ideas are simple. Other times they’re more complex, like when my daughter wanted to be Katerina Kittycat from her favorite show. I found a green dress and combed through my local craft store to find the satin ribbon and yellow buttons.

Next I sewed a simple tail out of white fabric and created cat ears using fabric and a headband. White gloves were transformed into paws by adding pink felt circles for the pads. I attached the ribbon and buttons with double-sided tape so we could reuse the dress for Christmas.

Purchasing a costume would be faster and, arguably, easier for a busy mom of two. But passing down the handmade tradition is worth the effort.

JESSICA WAGNER VERSAILLES, OHIO Last Halloween I set up a coffee and cocoa bar just inside our front door for the parents of trick-ortreaters. There were assorted coffee options, a pot of hot cocoa and to-go cups with sleeves. The kids grabbed candy and the adults could leave with a hot drink. It snowed in Iowa last Halloween, so this was especially welcoming!

MANDI PAUSLEY DES MOINES, IOWA I have been making pumpkins out of chenille and other fabrics since 1994. I like finding new fabrics for them throughout the year. You don’t have to use just orange. The crazier the pattern, the more kids love them. For stems I use sticks from my yard or cinnamon sticks, and sometimes I tie them with fabric and decorate with leaves. I make apples the same way.

SANDY ERDMAN WINONA, MINNESOTA