How to Create a Santa Claus Costume

If you're not willing to spring for a real Santa suit, improvise with these items you may have around the house.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Black Men's Belt
• Red Stocking Caps
• Red Sweatshirts
• Red Sweatsuits
• White Gloves
• Glues
• Jingle Bells
• Pillowcases Or Laundry Bag
• Pillows
• Lipstick Or Rouge
• Lots Of Cotton Swabs
• Fake Beards

1. Get a picture of Santa Claus that shows him from head to toe.

2. Assemble all the items listed on the Shopping List, below.

3. Using the picture of Santa as a guide, create Santa's suit by using glue to stick on cotton balls at the cuffs of the arms and legs of the red sweatsuit, and at the bottom edge of the sweatshirt. Use enough to create a wide band of "fur" in these areas.

4. Add a band of cotton to the bottom edge of the stocking cap, and stick a cotton-ball tassel on the tip of the hat.

5. Put on the sweatsuit, after you've made sure that everything is dry and the glue is set.

6. Stuff a pillow into the waistband of the sweatpants to form Santa's chubby belly.

7. Put on the black belt and the boots or black shoes.

8. Don the beard and/or wig, then add the stocking cap.

9. Slip on the white gloves.

10. Use red lipstick or blush to give Santa rosy cheeks.

11. Add toys or other items to your pillowcase or laundry bag to represent Santa's sack.

Tips & Warnings

• Santa suits (complete with beard, boots and belt) are available for rent or purchase in costume stores or online. If you want a really convincing Santa, it may be best to go with these.

• You can try to make a beard out of cotton balls by gluing them to a piece of fabric that can somehow be attached to the head, but it's pretty difficult to make a realistic-looking beard using this method. Consider purchasing a beard and/or wig from a costume shop or novelty store; this should cost under $20.

• The sweats will most likely be ruined.

• Avoid putting glue or any kind of adhesive directly on the skin.