How to Create a Reindeer Costume

The holiday season is here and Christmas costumes don't come cheap. That is, unless you have plans to make your own. Forget about the pricey store-bought reindeer gear. We've got the homemade costume ideas you need right now.

Don't stress if your crafting skills aren't exactly at a Martha Stewart level. Our reindeer DIY ideas are easy enough for anyone to try!

A cute costume can start with what you wear almost every day—even for the youngest of Rudolphs. This costume uses either dark brown pants, leggings, a skirt or tights. Then, you'll need a matching brown jacket or long sleeve t-shirt with a hood if possible. Depending on the age of your child, you can also buy a cheap brown hooded onesie.

Fill a pair of beige gloves with fleece or cotton for the antlers and sew them (or use fabric glue) onto either side of the hood. Another option is to buy a headband and use hot glue to attach two similarly sized twigs or paper mache antlers. You can wear dark brown or black shoes and mittens to simulate hooves.

If you want a more refined version of the outfit, wear a beige long sleeve sweater and pale tulle skirt. Cut two reindeer ears out of brown felt, put white felt in the middles and attach them to a headband. Then, find two similar twigs and attach those as well. If you don't want to resemble Rudolph, paint on a brown nose instead, using brown-toned makeup.

If you can sew (above middle school family and consumer sciences class level), purchase a pattern and go from there. Try using a bunny pattern for the main body of a child's reindeer costume. The shapes are more similar than you might think. Then, cut out antlers, hooves and a nose. For the hooves, you can use a synthetic leather material. You can make the antlers from a brown suede material, stuffing them before attaching them to the head.

Stuff a sparkly red material, stitch it shut and glue it onto the costume's hood for the nose. You can form the eyes using polymer clay. The ears and eyes can also be attached to the hood. To keep the ears standing up, bend and glue a wire hanger inside them before stitching them on. This costume should take around four hours and costs approximately $20.

If you don't want to go the reindeer suit DIY route, there are plenty of full reindeer costumes and accessories to be found online. There are adult-size reindeer onesies, plus racy ones for men and women. You can also find adorable infant-size outfits complete with soft ears, white-spotted fur and antlers. There are even cute ones for dogs.

There are also pretty reindeer dresses that are perfect for young girls in Christmas pageants and plays. If you want to use brown clothing that you already have, buy a red clown nose, a headband or hat with antlers and a faux-fur deer tail. Of course, not everyone wants to go full Rudolph, so if you are a fan but want to keep it more subtle, shop for a reindeer sweater.

Now you're ready to lead Santa Claus's sleigh through the ho-ho-holiday season! So go ahead and wear those reindeer antlers proudly to your next family fete, BFF's bash or Christmas celebration.