My Favorite Halloween Costume Ever: The Wine Box

Halloween used to be my jam. When my kids were little, I’d get decked out for their school parties. One year, I transformed into Medusa with a wild snake wig. The next, I rocked the classic witch look, complete with green face paint and an obnoxious cackle. I even went full clown mode with bright red shoes and a fluffy rainbow wig.

And let’s not forget about the kids’ costumes! With four little ones willing to model, I turned into the Midwest’s version of Tim Gunn each October, assessing our creations while muttering things like, “We need more gauze here!” and reminding myself to make it work.

But as kids grow up, so do the chances for elaborate costumes. I found myself stuck handing out candy in uninspired Halloween tees. I missed the thrill of crafting costumes and embarrassing my kids in the process.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received invites to a couple of adult-only Halloween parties last year—one even had a costume contest! The Halloween spirit surged through me, and ideas began to swirl.

I considered going as Megan from Bridesmaids or revisiting Mary Katherine Gallagher from Superstar. Maybe I could go political with a Michele Bachmann or Sarah Palin getup? But nothing really struck me as perfect. The parties were approaching, and I felt the pressure mounting.

Late one night, I was texting with my creative friend, Clara, about costume ideas. I knew she would have something brilliant to share. Suddenly, I got this gem of a suggestion: “What if you dressed as a BOX OF WINE?”

I chuckled and replied, “LOL…” Then I Googled “Box of Wine Costume.”

Clara was onto something! I found a few DIY ideas, mostly involving those Franzia boxes, but the concept made me burst out laughing. I decided to go for it, but I’d be a Bota Box since I practically live off their wine. Not only is it tasty, but the box design is so chic!

If you want to make your own, I recommend starting about a week in advance. Clara and I whipped mine up in just over an hour.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A large cardboard box that fits comfortably over your body (I used a box that once held a toilet).
A roll of brown craft paper. I’m not crafty, so I can’t tell you the weight, but grab one at Michael’s.
Plenty of clear packing tape.
Duct tape in any color (since it’s for the inside).
Markers—lots of them! Big, fat Sharpies work best. You’ll need several, especially for the black details.
Heavy-duty scissors.
A real box of wine. You’ll need this for the design reference and, of course, to fill your costume!

Steps to Create Your Costume:

Step One:

Cut holes for your head and arms. Simple enough, but this can be a bit of a time sink, so get started early.

Step Two:

Try on the box to check your mobility. You probably won’t sit comfortably in it, so skip the fancy heels. You might need help getting food or drinks to your mouth, so plan accordingly!

Step Three:

Cut a hole for the spout—this is crucial since you’ll be pouring wine from it! We relocated the spigot to the front for easier access, given my ample hips.

Step Four:

Wrap the box in craft paper like a present, leaving the front, sides, and back tape-free for decorating.

Step Five:

Now comes the creative part! We replicated the box design as closely as possible. My friend Clara is a pro, and if there were awards for wine box artistry, she’d win hands down.

Step Six:

Once decorated, it’s time to install the wine. Carefully take the pouch out of the box. You might need to pour some out to lighten it.

Step Seven:

Climb into your costume and stick the spigot through the hole. Secure the pouch to the inside of the box with tape. It might drip a bit, so be prepared for the jokes!

You won’t be able to sit in your car while wearing this, so plan accordingly. And if you’ve been sampling the wine while crafting, please don’t drive!

The best part of this costume? It’s cozy! I’m so tired of women’s costumes being all about the “sexy” versions—there’s nothing hotter than comfort with wine at your fingertips.

If you want to learn more about home insemination kits, check out this resource for additional insights. For more information on at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom is a great authority on the topic, and for those curious about pregnancy, News Medical offers excellent information.

Summary:

This article details a fun and creative approach to a Halloween costume, specifically as a Box of Wine. It captures the excitement of Halloween, the evolution of costume-making, and provides detailed steps for creating a unique and humorous costume. The author emphasizes comfort while also including links to related topics, keeping the reader engaged and informed.