How to Make a Santa's Little Helper Costume

A Santa's helper costume uses imagery from a Santa Claus costume.

Whether for a costume party, Halloween or to celebrate the Christmas season, making a Santa's little helper costume can be done simply and quickly with many items already in your home or with a trip to a local thrift store. The costume idea is commonly used by adult women and for small children. The costumes themselves vary widely between these two demographics. A child's Santa's helper costume tends to be an adorable take on Santa Claus or an elf while a woman's costume is typically a risque spin on the Santa Claus icon.

Things You'll Need

• Red dress
• 2 inch thick trips of white, cotton fabric
• Pins, needle and thread or fabric glue
• Red knee high socks
• White or red knee or thigh high stockings
• 2 red or white bows
• 2 safety pins
• Black high-heeled shoes
• Black belt
• Santa Claus hat
• Red shirt or dress
• Green apron or pants
• Black belt
• Green felt
• Scissors
• Needle and thread or fabric glue
• Black shoes
• Red, green or white tights
• Red and green construction paper
• Clear tape
• Glue

Instructions

Woman's Costume

1. Find an old, red bridesmaid dress, a revealing red mini-dress or even red lingerie as the centerpiece to the costume.

2. Pin, sew or glue a 2-inch-wide strip of white, cotton fabric around the hem of the skirt. You can also opt to add a strip of the cotton around the bustline of the dress.

3. Cut the foot sections off a pair of red knee highs. Glue, pin or sew a strip of the white cotton fabric around the edge where the foot portion of the sock was. Pull the socks onto your arms so they cover your forearm. The white strip should be around your wrist.

4. Add a pair of red or white knee- or thigh-high stockings to the ensemble. Pin red bows to the top front of white stockings or white bows to the top front of red stockings.

5. Add the final accessories to complete the outfit, such as a black belt, black high-heeled shoes and a red and white Santa Claus hat.

Child's Costume

1. Pair a red button-down or long-sleeved shirt with a pair of green pants for a boy's costume. For a girl's costume, pair a red, long-sleeved dress with a green apron. The dress should be ankle or calf length.

2. Cut a green collar out of green felt fabric. Glue or sew the green collar to the outside of the red shirt.

3. Add a black belt and a pair of black shoes to the ensemble. For a girl's costume, add a pair of green, red or white tights.

4. Fold a cone hat wide enough to sit atop of the child's head out of red construction paper. Trim the bottom so it's flat and secure the shape with clear tape.

5. Cut out a green border from green construction paper and glue it around the base of the cone.