A Gift Mom Can Use
Last year, the average shopper spent $139.14 on Mother’s Day gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.
But it's not what you buy...it's what you do for her that matters. So here are some ideas to make her day extra special:
Mothers and housewives are the only workers who don't get regular time off, so give mom a gift she can really use.
We're sure mom would appreciate a lazy bath, free of children poking their heads in the door, or a day off from the kitchen or doing the housework (oh, and if you hire out the cleaning, it wouldn't hurt if the worker looked like Patrick Dempsey).
Prepare a family picnic (mom is not allowed to help), or throw mom a theme party based on her background or interests. Maybe mom likes pirates or fairies? No doubt she'd love to be a queen for the day.
So pull out your cooking and cleaning party skills, and give mom the gift of relaxation!
Funny Quotes on Mothers
"My mother had to send me to the movies with my birth certificate, so that I wouldn't have to pay the extra fifty cents that the adults had to pay." ~ KareemAbdul-Jabbar
"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." ~ Mark Twain
"My mother's menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it." ~ Buddy Hackett
Spring into the Renaissance
Long ago, Renaissance Faires in England were traditionally celebrated as festivals of spring. Winters in the 15th and 16th centuries were harsh and food was scarce...few survived. Renaissance Faires celebrated the return of spring, a time of rebirth, with the promise of a more comfortable lifestyle and plentiful crops.
Originally, American Renaissance Festivals were meant to be a reenactment of these early Renaissance Faires, but of course they became more commercialized (the largest and most historically accurate are run by the Living History Centre at 2 locations in California) and the term "Renaissance" is often used loosely to include everything from Vikings, pirates, wizards, fairies and elves.
Today's Renaissance Faires occur in the spring, summer and some even take place in the fall. These fairs offer fun for the whole family with crafts, food and entertainment. Dressing in costume will enhance your experience and we can help transport you back in time with our fabulous selection of Renaissance Costumes.
You can find a list of all Ren Faires on the internet. But if you happen to be in the vicinity of northern Utah in the next two weeks, drop by the Utah Renaissance Festival & Fantasy Faire on May 9-11 and 16-18.
Adieu!
Christmas in May
You've heard of the retail marketing campaign, "Christmas in July" and you may have benefited from its great sales and the opportunity it provides to finish Christmas shopping early.
Frankly, we don't think you should have to wait until July for great prices, so we're going to give you a helpful tip...shop the Costume Craze Super Spring Sale, going on right now!
You can save 50% off on hundreds of costumes and accessories for holidays, birthdays, parties and events.
In today's tight economy where prices on consumer goods are skyrocketing, your husband will love you for being frugal...
Your kid will love you for giving them exactly what they wanted.
Christmas doesn't fall in May very often, you know, and navigating our web site is easy and fun...so why are you still reading this? Get shopping already!
Fiesta on Aisle Cinco
If the only Spanish words you know are "taco" and "burrito," or, if you think that Cinco De Mayo is a celebration of mayonnaise, it's time for a little history lesson!
There is a common misconception in America that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico's Independence day (actually September 16th). But Cinco De Mayo commemorates the Mexicans' victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Cinco De Mayo is a regional, but not obligatory federal holiday in Mexico and is mostly celebrated in the town of Puebla.
In Modern America, observance started in California in the 1860's. It is recognized as a day to celebrate freedom, unity, pride and the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry. But happily, people of all ethnic backgrounds enjoy the celebration.
So go ahead and grab your maracas...it's fiesta time!
Get mucho grande savings on Spanish costumes now. You can save 50% off with our Super Spring Sale!
Be a Marvel
A 747 can weigh as much as 870,000 pounds at takeoff, yet, as if by magic, it manages to lift itself into the air. What a marvel, eh?
Speaking of marvels, airplanes aren't the only chunks of metal capable of flight. In fact, Iron Man is flying into a theater near you on Friday, May 2nd!
Marvel comic superhero, Iron Man, is Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor. Stark is kidnapped and forced to build a deadly weapon, but instead he builds a suit of power armor that not only saves his badly injured body but allows him to take revenge on his enemies and other criminals as well.
Want to be a Marvel (superhero, that is)? No need to build your own suit, just check out our great selection of superhero costumes and start saving the day!
Just be selective about where and what you do in costume. Recently, some soon-to-be graduating high school seniors, in Illinois, were suspended from school for dressing up as a gorilla and bananas, respectively, and running through the halls of the school with the gorilla giving chase.
Sounds relatively harmless, we know. But these days, you don't know who will take your fun the wrong way and we want you to be a Marvel, not a menace!
Another Place & Time
Once upon a story, in a land and time long before you were born... there lived a young boy who was sent to the court of King Henry II, where he grew up with Prince John. After a bitter childhood quarrel, the young boy became an enemy of the future King John who, when the young man reached adulthood, stripped him of his title and lands. Left with nothing, the young man was forced to give up his gentlemanly ways and become an outlaw...
You'd probably like to know more of the story, wouldn't you? But family, school and work obligations don't allow for such luxuries.
Maybe that's why someone felt the need to establish a National Tell a Story Day, celebrated in the US on April 27th and the UK on October 27th.
Tell a Story Day celebrates story-telling of all kinds, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, a tall tale, or folk lore, from a book, or from memory. Libraries hold story telling hours for children and book clubs or other organizations might host special events.
Hey, why not host a story telling event at home? To enhance the enjoyment of the story, set the atmosphere by dressing up in costumes. Dress as Tinkerbell to read Peter Pan. Become Maid Marian or Friar Tuck to read Robin Hood. When you combine the power of stories with costumes, you'll be transported to another place and time!
Costume Heaven
These days, there seems to be a convention for just about every type of "geek culture." There are Star Trek, Star Wars and Comic Conventions for the Techies and Renaissance Fairs for the history and reenactment aficionados.
But what about an arena for costume lovers in general?
Whether you're a costume hobbyist or professional, whether you're a space cadet, cosplayer, fantasy lover or living history buff, Costume Con welcomes all who have a passion for, you guessed it...costumes!
Don't worry if you exhibit no great talent for creating or sewing costumes, that's where we come in. From Superhero costumes to Pirate or Movie Character costumes, we'll make sure you're properly outfitted with a great costume so you can enjoy associating with all the other costume lovers at the convention. And there will be plenty of time to associate. Costume Con provides ample opportunities to meet, mingle, share and compete through daily workshops, social gatherings and competitions.
You won't find a broader spectrum of information about the art and craft of costuming at any other event. It's a four day smorgasbord of costume heaven, held this year at the end of this month (April 25-April 28) in California. Can't attend this year? No worries, Costume Con is an annual convention. Check out their web site for more details.
Green Thumb Not Necessary
Earth Day is April 22nd. The concept of Earth Day was born in the early 1960's with Senator Gaylord Nelson's concern for the eroding state of the environment. Senator Nelson convinced President Kennedy that a National tour to discuss the environment in many different states would help raise crucial awareness but this still left the political arena unimpressed.
The idea of Earth Day did not garner the social importance necessary to make it an official movement until 1970.
Now Earth Day is observed nationwide. It is a day to reflect on serious threats to our environment and resolve to make a change whether it's recycling or donating money to help plant new trees.
You don't have to have a green thumb, just a desire to contribute to a greener world. Why, you can even make a difference starting at home. For example, instead of using harmful chemical pesticides on those rose bushes, use safe and cost effective ladybugs. Ladybugs are an all natural way to control aphids, mites and other plant pests.
If you wish to kick your green crusade up a notch, consider a fundraiser wearing our Luscious Ladybug Costume. You'll draw lots of attention to your cause as well as some appreciative contributors! And we're sure you can find a way to recycle the costume later.
Embrace Spring Fever
Something's in the air...can you feel it? No, we're not talking about the allergens that cause hay fever. We're actually thinking of that restless excitement and laziness that you just can't shake this time of year. No doctor can cure it.
You can blame it on Mother Nature, though. Each spring, she wreaks havoc on your physiology, causing a listlessness that threatens to drive you crazy.
The shackles of your winter hibernation are starting to flake off and the birds aren't chirping like crazy outside your window for nothing.
It's spring fever.
As Robin Williams puts it, "Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" So, what are you waiting for? Open those windows, grab your flip flops and take a walk through the plush green grass, soak up the sights and smells of blossoming flowers and enjoy watching bright butterflies float on the breeze.
Heck, why not join them? When you wear our Orange Butterfly Costume you'll break through the cocoon of restlessness and spread your wings to embrace spring fever no time!
Kung Fu Fever
We know you're out there...Kung Fu junkies that own every martial arts film released on VHS or DVD. You can repeat every line and mimic every move that your hero does. You've even tried out the self defense moves you learned from Kung Fu movies on the furniture when no one was looking.
Sounds like you need to kick and karate chop your way to a theater this weekend to see the new martial arts film Forbidden Kingdom.
The Forbidden Kingdom tells the story of a young American teenager obsessed with Kung Fu movies. When he comes across the legendary stick of a Chinese warrior in a pawn shop, he is transported back to ancient China and joins a band of warriors, straight out of martial arts lore, in the rescue attempt of the Monkey King (to whom the stick belongs).
This is the first collaboration of martial arts masters Jet Li and Jackie Chan so you're bound to see spectacular fight scenes and come away with some great new Kung Fu moves. Hey, if you buy one of our Ninja Costumes, no one will ever know it was you that delivered the stealthy death blow to the table...Hi-ya!
Laugh for Health & Happiness
Now that the stress of the tax season is almost over, you're probably going to need some R & R. You're in luck. April is National Humor Month!
National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by best-selling humorist and Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor, Larry Wilde. It aims to heighten public awareness on how the therapeutic value of laughter can improve health and morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality life.
Research indicates that laughter can relieve debilitating stress and boost the immune system.
Unlike some drugs, laughter yields immediate results. It requires no special talent or skill, makes you feel good and, best of all, it's absolutely free!
Amazingly, research shows that you'll feel the positive effects of smiling whether the smile you generate is fake or real. And there's a darn good chance your fake merriment will turn into real smiles and laughter.
Need some help generating laughter? Consider our hilarious selection of
funny costumes.
Laugh your way to good health and happiness all through the year (not just at tax time)!
At Least You Can Laugh
You might as well freak out now. April 15th is approaching faster than you can say "Wait, my taxes aren't done!"
At this point, crying isn't going to help. Laughing, on the other hand, might ease some of the stress you're feeling so we gathered up some IRS and tax humor to keep you laughing until midnight on April 15th:
There will always be death and taxes. However, death doesn't get worse every year.
Ever noticed how when you put the two words "the" and "IRS" together it spells "theirs?"
When you do a good deed, get a receipt...in case Heaven is like the IRS.
America is the land of opportunity. Everyone can become a tax payer.
About the time a man is cured of swearing, another income tax is due.
Drive carefully. Uncle Sam needs all the tax payers he can get.
If laughter isn't helping, maybe money will. We have costumes just dripping with money, like our Maid of Money French Maid costume, for example. Have a head for numbers? Try our Money Bowler Hat. If you're taking a gamble on getting audited, maybe you better try our Lady Luck Costume.
Okay, so maybe money costumes won't help you out with tax payments. Just remember that if you can't make Income Taxes go away...at least you can laugh at them (the IRS isn't taxing laughter. Yet!).
Aliens Not Worst Threat In Space
Apparently the most dangerous threat Captain Jean-Luc Picard had to face in his career as a Starfleet officer wasn't aliens.
It was his uniform.
In an article published by WENN on April 8th, Patrick Stewart, the actor who played Captain Picard in the Star Trek Series, The Next Generation, revealed that the costume he wore for the sci-fi TV series was so tight it damaged his back.
The lycra suit was one size too small for Stewart who said it was painful to wear and inflicted terrible strain on his shoulders, neck and back. Stewart's chiropractor encouraged him to take legal action against Paramount studio for forcing him to wear the uniform.
Fortunately, after two seasons of causing Stewart great discomfort, the suit was retired from space duty permanently, renouncing the status of "greatest threat in space" to the Klingons and Romulans.
At Costume Craze, we have a whole galaxy of Star Trek Next Generation Costumes. If you want to wear a costume one size too small, that's up to you and your chiropractor, but we'll let you order any size you want!
Enchanted Garden
So...what are you supposed to look forward to now that the fun of April Fool's Day is over and Spring Break will soon be just a memory? A lot, actually. No, we're not talking about the wet spring weather or taxes being due.
April is a busy month for other reasons, from Nation Frog and Mathematics Education appreciation, to Stress Awareness Month.
Admittedly, we don't know much about frogs and mathematics doesn't sound very interesting, so let's start your April education with gardens. You guessed it. April is also National Garden Month!
Every April communities, organizations, and individuals nationwide celebrate gardening. Research confirms that nurturing plants is good for us. Gardening improves your attitude towards health and nutrition, clears the mind of mental clutter and reduces stress. Check with the National Gardening Association or your local lawn and garden centers for ideas on how to celebrate National Garden Month.
Don't have a green thumb? Help your garden grow with a little fairy magic. With our Child Garden Fairy and Adult Blossom Fairy Costumes and a little fairy dust (we call it Miracle Gro in our world), your enchanted garden is sure to grow!
Flirt with Spring Cleaning
The seasonal change from winter to spring ushers in warmer temperatures, longer days and...spring cleaning! Ladies, it's time to shake up the traditional cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing with our tidy collection of French Maid Costumes.
There are a few rules we'd like to establish. This is not your usual cleaning grunge fest, so do your hair and makeup and...resolve to have fun! Okay, now you're ready to get the indoors looking spic-and-span with our saucy Upstairs and Downstairs French Maid Costumes.
Crank up your favorite music and strut through the house dusting and sprucing up. Imagine what fun you'll have observing the reaction of an unsuspecting visitor who shows up at your door! (Feel free to adopt a French accent, here.)
You'll feel downright flirty in our Sexy French Maid
Costume and if your guy's around, our guess is he'll take a liking to the spring cleaning real quick. While it may not be a practical costume for yard work, you just might inspire a community-wide clean up.
From spring cleaning to spring break, we have the costumes that make any activity fun!
Quote of the Day
Housework can't kill you...but why take the chance? ~Phyllis Diller
Create Your Own Spring Break
Spring Breaks (for kids and adults alike)give us a chance to renew our spirits and minds. But what if you don't have much time off from work or can't afford to run off to Florida with the rest of the spring revelers?
With a little imagination and some fun costumes, you can create your own spring break adventure. Host a pool party. If weather doesn't permit or a pool isn't available, host a non-pool beach party indoors.
Decorate with surfboards, sea shells and tiki torches. Serve drinks with umbrellas and lounge on beach towels or chairs. Turn up the Bob Marley music and forget your cares (add a tropical feel to your party with our Hawaiian Costumes).
Create your own Spring Break. It doesn't take a lot of time or money but it will require your imagination and desire to have fun. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy yourself already!
Formula for Fun
Want to watch the perfect movie to get you in the mood for a spring vacation? Get to a theater this weekend to see Nim's Island.
Nim is a young girl living on an island with her scientist father, her animal friends and her books full of exciting tales of the world's greatest adventurer, Alex Rover.
When trouble threatens her exotic island world, Nim contacts her idol, Alex Rover, a.k.a Alexandra Rover, agoraphobic author and recluse, for help. What follows is a formula for fun!
Appropriate for the whole family, Nim's Island will open in theaters Friday, April 4th.
Something Smells Fishy
In France, the butts of April Fool's pranks were referred to as "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young fish is naive and easily caught. Hooking a paper fish--which replaced the traditional dead fish--to someone's back became a popular joke.
Well, we don't have any paper fish, or dead fish for that matter. But we can certainly help you catch unsuspecting victims in your net of pranks:
Guys, show up for your blind date wearing an authentic Mullet Wig. Doctors, enjoy the wide-eyed look of your patients when they see you in our Dr. Mel Practice. Harry Potter Bertie Botts mixed with Jelly Bellies in a candy dish will gross out your guests while entertaining you.
We've got the fish bait (costumes, of course) you need for pulling off great pranks...anytime!
Cool, Fool: April Fool's Trivia
April Fool is the codename for the spy and double agent who, supposedly, was instrumental in the downfall of Saddam Hussein.
"April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four." -- Mark Twain
The mischievous twins, Fred and George Weasley, from the Harry Potter series, celebrate their birthdays on April 1st.
Send in the Fools
April 2008 will mark the 32nd anniversary of National Humor Month and appropriately begins with April Fool's Day (or All Fool's Day), a day which has encouraged pranks and tomfoolery since the 16th century.
Current beliefs suggest that April Fool's Day may have started in France, with the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar which shifted New Year's Day, previously March 25 - April 1 (or New Year's week), to January 1st.
Because of slow communication methods, some people weren't informed of the change until several years later. Others simply refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on April 1st.
These people were labeled "fools" and were ridiculed, invited to nonexistent parties and sent on "fools errands."
Like the people of 16th century France, we enjoy watching the reaction of unsuspecting prank victims as much as the next person.
No matter whom you plan on fooling --or when--Costume Craze is ready to assist with great costumes and accessories (See
"Funny" Costumes)!
Thanks Doc
Believe it or not, March means more than leprechauns, shamrocks and the official kick-off of spring.
Why, in this week alone, we have Harry Houdini's Birthday (the 24th), Make Up Your Own Holiday Day (the 26th) and Doctor's Day (the 30th).
Doctor's Day was created to show appreciation for doctors. Observance of this day (always on March 30th) dates back to 1933 and marks the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery. The first National Doctor's Day was celebrated in 1991.
Whether you plan to tease your physician with our humorous doctor costumes or dress the kids in scrubs and pay a special office visit to their favorite daddy-doctor, we prescribe a quick and painless browse through our healthy selection of doctor costumes!
We Sell Dreams
Ralph Lauren once said, "I don't design clothes. I design dreams." The same might be said of Costume Craze because...we don't just sell costumes, we sell dreams too.
Think of all fantasies you can fulfill with costumes. Be a pirate, a medieval knight, a princess, mermaid or superhero. Why, the possibilities are endless...just like the selection at Costume Craze!
Hey, our motto doesn't say "Thousands of costumes. Millions of smiles" for nothing, you know!
A New Season of Costumes
The Easter fun is over and it's officially spring now. You know what that means don't you? It's time for spring cleaning! Yes...time to clean and organize the house, de-junk the garage and prune the trees.
Don't forget to clean out the closets and get rid of toys that the kids no longer use. If you have costumes that are in good shape but can't be recycled this year, consider donating them to a community theater program, school or homeless shelter.
Clear the costume clutter and make way for a great new crop of costumes. From adorable doggy costumes to adventurous Indiana Jones ensembles, get ready to spring into our new season of fun and exiting costumes!
Enchanted...We're Sure
The new Disney film Enchanted is now out on DVD. This is the perfect movie for spring. It's full of bright colors, cute furry animals, contagious toe-tapping music and lots of feel-good love!
Moms, this movie is a charming idea for little girls' princess parties (and you get to enjoy the eye candy, Patrick Dempsey). Peruse our captivating collection of princess costumes for children AND adults...why should the kids have all the fun?
Easter Bunny Wisdom
When you think of the Easter Bunny, you probably think of all the yummy things he's going to leave in your basket, right? But this long-eared, ball of fluff is more than a bringer of sweet spring treats...he's got some hopping good wisdom to impart:
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans.
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell.
Great bunny costumes come from Costume Craze!
No Eggs Required
Forget the traditional backyard Easter egg hunt. Around the Nation, many major zoos hold Easter celebrations, offering fun for children of all ages. You'll find activities from Easter egg hunts to arts and crafts and storytelling for the little ones to enjoy.
Our very own zoo, Utah's Hogle Zoo, will host a "Breakfast with the Bunny" which includes a buffet breakfast, hands-on bunny crafts, a souvenir photo with the Easter Bunny and a free gift for the kids (contact a Zoo in your area for details).
For a fun Easter, head for the zoo...no eggs required.
A Hop from the Past
Among the ancient Germanic peoples, the Bunny (or, more accurately, the hare) was once considered a pagan symbol of fertility associated with traditional spring rites.
In 16th century Germany, the bunny evolved from a pagan symbol to an Easter symbol, the Easter Bunny. German children made nests of grass and placed them in their yards, believing the Easter Bunny would fill these baskets with brightly decorated eggs during the night.
The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s...and the rest is history.
Our modern day Easter Bunny now leaves candy, chocolate treats and other tokens in the Easter baskets of young and old alike.
Did you know that Costume Craze has modern day bunnies (bunny costumes, that is)? Women look eggs-ceptional in our Pink Bunny Costume...enough to make the men forget all about the other treats in their Easter baskets! And our Baby Bunny Costumes are more adorable than real bunnies, perfect for a fun Easter photo shoot!
No matter the ancient past of the Easter Bunny...we're just glad he hopped into our present!
Happy Equinox
March 20th is symbolic for the changing of the seasons as winter turns into spring. But this date is also important astronomically. At exactly 1:48 AM on March 20th, the Sun crosses over the earth's equator. This is called the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
Equinox means "equal night" because day and night are equal all over the world during the equinox.
The Spring Equinox has been celebrated for thousands of years. In Christianity, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon which follows the Vernal Equinox.
The Egyptians built the Sphinx to point directly towards the rising sun on the day of the Vernal Equinox.
How will you celebrate the Vernal Equinox? Will you dance under the moon like fairies or hop around your front yard in a giant bunny costume? (Easter is less than a week away!)
No matter how you choose to celebrate, we have great costumes to help you welcome spring!
Harry Potter Split in Two!
Warner Bros. will split "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", the seventh and last book in the series, into a two-part movie. For creative reasons, the producer feels that, unlike the other books, you just can't remove elements of this book.
The films will be shot simultaneously by director David Yates, who also directed the fifth and sixth installments, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The first part of the Deathly Hallows will premier in November of 2010, and part two, in May of 2011.
How can we stand to wait until 2010...then wait again?!
