Reading allows your child to escape into fantastic whimsical places full of pirates, princesses, wizards, warlocks, talking animals and soooo much more. For a parent, that means improvement in your child’s cognitive, reading, writing and vocabulary skills. It’s National Young Reader’s Week, help them choose a book and encourage your child’s imagination!

Then give your child the chance to create their own adventure and set your next play date as a dress up day. Transform their play space into your child’s favorite character’s world and complete the scene with costumes to match! Include a variety of accessories and let them create their very own look.

Here are just a few popular themes your kids might enjoy. What is your child’s favorite book and who is their favorite character?

Pirate Dress Up >

 

Aye Matey! Be a Pirate

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Complete the Scene with Pirate Party Supplies from our friends at BirthdayExpress.com >

 

 

 

 

Princess Dress Up >

 

M’Lady is a Princess!

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Princess Party Supplies>

Who is your child’s favorite princess?

 

 

 

 

‘When I Grow Up’ Dress Up >

 

‘When I Grow Up’…

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Find ‘When I Grow Up’ Accessories >

What does your child want to be when he or she grows up?

 

 

 

 

Superheroes Dress Up >

Superheroes: Sworn To Protect

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Superhero Party Supplies >

Who is your child’s favorite Superhero?

 

 

 

Harry Potter Dress Up >

 

Harry Potter

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Have your kids read all 7 Harry Potter books? Which was their favorite?

 

What kind of books does your child enjoy most?

 

Ever been in this situation? Of course you’re OVERJOYED that your child got a part in the Christmas pageant! But, you know who gets to make their fabulous costume? That’s right. You do. But, don’t worry,  here at Costume Express we know that not all moms and dads have the time (or let’s face it, the patience) to slave all day and night over a costume that will most likely never measure up to little Timmy’s costume who was made by his mother, the professional seamstress. Here are a few classic Christmas styles that will make your child truly shine in the pageant.

1. Mary

If your kid got the part of Mary in the Nativity play, she’s going to get a lot of stage time. A lot. I’m pretty sure she never actually leaves the stage. She doesn’t say much, just sits and looks at Jesus mostly, which means her costume is going to be the main focus of audience members. This beautifully humble style will surely be a hit.

2. Shepard/Joseph

 Joseph is in the same boat as Mary. Not a lot of lines, but a lot of stage time.

3. Santa

It’s a huge honor to get to play Santa at a Christmas pageant. You have to have charisma, character, a jolly and hearty laugh; and of course, an elaborate and authentic costume.

4. Elf

Kids have lots of ideas in their minds of what elves are supposed to look and dress like. This costume is probably the easiest to make from clothing and materials at home (since you can really go wherever you want with it), but here’s a classic style that will have your child looking undeniably elvish.

5. Angel

 Many Nativity plays either open with an angel or are narrated by one. This sweet and serene style will have the audience hanging on your child’s every word.

Have you ever had to make a Christmas pageant costume? Share your experience with us in the comments!

When my kids were little, whatever they dressed up as for Halloween, I tried to get an ornament to commemorate that year, one year my son was Spiderman…Spiderman ornament, my daughter as Ariel…Ariel ornament. Last year I was Black Swan, and I found a ballerina that I glued black feathers on! So as I stroll down memory lane putting up each ornament, the kids go to a toybox full of old costumes and play dress up for me!

Of course, you can always pick up more dress-up clothes and accessories with hundreds to choose from Costume Express!     http://www.costumeexpress.com/browse/Play-Dress-Up/_/N-aZ1z141of/results1.aspx

Time flies so quickly, enjoy the spirit of the season with your little angels!    

So put on your Santa hat and join in on the fun!

It’s all about tradition. Get your little ones to join in the fun, at the bottom of the tree with the non-breakable ornaments that is. If you have curious kids or kitties, you may run into trouble having the fragile ornaments on the bottom half!!! Get those delicate ones hooked TIGHTLY up top!

Years of watching my mom’s frustration have led me to remember to never put the lights on until they are tested to make sure they work!!! Nothing like putting lights on, decorating and then waiting for that glorious glowing plug-in moment to find that you need to replace lightbulbs on half the tree when they aren’t lit!! Booooo. FAIL!

If you’re getting bored with the plain old tree, try something new – pick a snowman theme or hang candycanes or gingerbread men….then you can admire & EAT the decorations!

ENJOY!

Some of the epic MUST SEES (in order of importance)…don’t let your kids grow up without watching the first 3; they’re essential to developing a strong…Holiday Spirit!

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
4. Elf
5. Muppet Christmas Carol
6. A Christmas Story
7. It’s A Wonderful Life (feel silly even putting this one on the list, seeing as how obvious it is! )
8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
9. Home Alone
10. Nightmare Before Christmas

Elf

Patrick Boivin seems to know the exact way start with something utterly adorable and turn it into something utterly epic. This is his first awesome baby vid which features his infant daughter. Catch his son in the follow up vid, DRAGON BABY! Know of any other cute baby vids or maybe you’ve got some of your own? Feel free to share in the comments!

Getting clothes together to start your collection is only half your battle.  Having the perfect place to store all your child’s dress up apparel and accessories is the other battle.  Instead of spending the big bucks on an actual storage chest, create a unique, one of a kind storage chest from items that you can find in the comfort of your own home.   Perhaps an old dresser, book shelf, or even suitcase might do the trick.  Spruce up these furnishings by adding a fresh coat of paint, add fabric to it, or even personalize with your child’s name to give it a look and feel as unique as your child.  Get creative and even recruit the help of your children for this part.  They will tell you what it is they want, so take their advice.  The end result will leave both you and your child happy and ready for some dress up!

Take a look at the below for some examples of DIY chests and dress up boxes that you can create.

This awesomely adorable vid was made by Patrick Boivin, a self taught French Canadian  filmmaker and stars his 1 year old son, Romeo. With the help of some professional stuntmen and a little movie magic, Dragon Baby was born! And with over 21,000,000 views and counting, the viral vid is here to stay. Know of any other cute baby vids or maybe you’ve got some of your own? Feel free to share in the comments!

Or …..?      

We have all the Thanksgiving items you need to make it a fun-filled day!

For me and my family, if I’m doing the cooking, that bird is in the oven before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade so I can sit back and enjoy that tradition since I was a little girl! Timing is important, especially if the Packers are playing (the Costume Express headquarters are in Packer Country), so if they play early we eat later, and vice versa! It’s taken me a few years to get the ‘everything done at once’ issue perfected, but I’ve also learned that it’s who you’re sharing your time with that really matters!

Plus, with all the stores that are starting their Holiday shopping hours so much earlier…I may even hit the mall!  May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 Check out all our Cinderella dress up costumes and accessories!

Sounds like hours of fun to me!

Maybe even host a Princess party and have all Cinderella friends come dressed as their favorite princess!