So I need some help here. I have two middle school boys and it’s the time of year that leaves us talking in circles about Halloween costumes. My boys don’t go Trick or Treat-ing anymore (that’s a completely different topic…my opinion in a nutshell…if you’re shaving, I shouldn’t be giving you candy in a pillowcase). However, their middle school encourages costumes and they still like to dress up if it’s gonna be “cool.”

Side note: I give three cheers to the middle schools that have themes for their students at Halloween like literary characters, pirates, etc. At least it takes away the social stress of showing up in the “wrong” thing.

Anyway, I’ve always thought clever and cheap costumes are the best. For example, each year I suggest that my son wears a black turtleneck, black pants, white socks, and black shoes: an exclamation point! He can spend the day interjecting himself between friends saying things like, “Zonk!” and “Indubitably!” Each year I am met with the same roll of the eyes and the pathetic "could-you-be-dorkier-mom?" look.

I think my idea is brilliant…it’s just because I’m mom. So feel free to use my costume suggestion and I’ll gladly take one of yours. What is your best, sure-fire, creative, cheap and cool middle school costume idea? Hurry please…time is running out!