Your Baby's First Halloween

Pictures, albums and home video may be the only way children ever know they even participated in trick or treating as a baby. Who are we kidding? We all know the fun of baby's first Halloween or two is more for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Here are some suggestions for saving money on baby's first trick or treat experience as well as safety tips to make the night as fun as it can be.

Be Frugal with Baby's First Halloween Costume

The first Halloween costume should be special, but that doesn't mean it has to break the bank? Before you go crazy spending out of your budget for a Halloween outfit for baby, try networking with other parents. Many parents save their own children's first costumes. They may be open to swapping costumes with you or willing to sell their little one's old costume at a minimal cost. If this isn't an option for you and you find you need to purchase your baby's costume, there are lots of children's thrift stores and boutiques that carry precious Halloween outfits in the month of October. Another option for making sure baby's first costume is cute and inexpensive outfit is to check eBay.

Safety Tips to Keep Baby's Safe and Sound

• Pass On Inhibiting Costume Items
  
  Babies do not like to wear masks and most will fight and cry in discomfort if you put them in costumes that restrict their movements.



• Avoid Scary Masks and Costumes
  
  Don't be surprised if older babies are frightened by other people's masks and costumes as well. This is not a time to instill fear into your baby. Sometimes adults and older children find it funny to show babies "the ropes" without realizing they can inadvertently scare infants.



• Keep Weather Conditions in Mind
  
  When choosing your costume, keep in mind what your weather will most likely be that time of year. In the northern part of the U.S., it is not unusual for children to wear coats over their costumes. The more south you go, you may have children overdressed in 80 degree weather. That adorable fur bear or lion outfit may not be the most comfortable outfit for baby if you live in an area that's still a bit warm on Halloween. Don't over or undress baby.



• Give Family & Friends a Call Ahead Before Visiting
  
  You have special people in your life that you'll want to share baby's first Halloween with. A phone call ahead to these people to be sure they are going to be home will help ensure that pictures (or videos) of baby with this special someone can be taken. Try and make your plans up to a week ahead. You don't want to be disappointed later when trying to scrapbook your child's first trick or treat experience and someone is missing.