Halloween on a Budget
AMHERST, MA – Noa Kantorovich, a UMass freshman, decided on being a “biker chick” FOR HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR after discovering her mother’s old Harley Davidson biker jacket in the garage.
“I would never wear it normally, but it fit so well that I had to find an occasion to wear it," SHE SAID. When I realized that Halloween was around the corner, I felt like this was the perfect opportunity.”( Kantorovich said.I THINK IT WORKS BETTER TO THIS QUOTE UP BY PUTTING THE "SHE SAID" IN BETWEEN THE TWO SENTENCES. IN YOUR INTRO YOU WANT TO KEEP MOVING ALONG QUICKLY AND NOT THE FLOW WITH A DENSE QUOTE.
As committed as University of Massachusetts students are to finding the perfect Halloween costume, Halloween SEEMS TO HAVE (has) become an art of improvisation more than anything. STUDENTS INTERVIEWED ON CAMPUS ON A RECENT SUNNY FALL AFTERNOON SAID THEY LIKE BEING ORIGINAL AND CREATIVE -- AND NOT SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.
Kantorovich plans on using the jacket as the main part of her costume and is complimenting it with black jeans that she ripped herself and combat boots her friend is lending her. Though Kantorovich was pleased with her idea, she said she would have “made something out of nothing anyway” regardless. Kantorovich said it was pointless to spend money when there are “so many things laying around to use.”
There is no lack of creativity from students, (despite not wantingDESPITE DOESN'T WORK HERE. YOU"RE TRYING TO SAY THEY ARE CREATIVE BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BUY A PRE-MADE COSTUME) WHO DON'T WANT to purchase pre-made costumes at a Halloween store. Students have a wide variety of ideas – from animals to aliens to action figures.
Kantorovich’s friend, Kristina Landry, plans on being a zoo animal “to make fun of ‘the zoo’ stereotype that holds at UMass Amherst,” in regards to the “party animal” reputation of the students. She will paint spots all over her body and find animal pattern fabrics from old Halloween costumes to make the costume.
“I want to make a point that this is a costume for a reason,” Landry said. “People think we’re always party animals, but it’s really only once a year.” INTERESTING. DO PEOPLE SPEND A LOT OF TIME "DECONSTRUCTING" THEIR COSTUMES AT PARTIES?
Julia Meredith, a freshman friend of Kantorovich and Landry, was focused on a costume that was different from everyone else’s.
“I thought an alien was really creative until all of my friends suggested we be aliens together. Then I decided to change my mind.” INTERESTING. WHY DID SHE REJECT THE IDEA OF DOING GROUP COSTUMES WHICH SEEM TO BE POPULAR?
Maddy Billingsley, another freshman at UMass, is using Halloween as a chance to express her creativity, but not exactly originality, as she plans on recreating the same costume she used last year.
“Everyone seemed to like it, so why not do it again,” Billingsley said.
Billingsley plans on revamping some props to make it better the second time around. She will be a deer again by wrapping floral tape around pipe cleaners to imitate antlers. She also will tap into her love for costume makeup by painting her own face. She has always loved makeup, but is especially excited that she finally gets to put what she has learned in makeup tutorials to use. While she is glad she can save money, she is even more excited that she can use this holiday as a fun project.
While most students do not have a definitive plan for their costumes, even though Halloween is next weekend, they are confident that they can piece their costumes together in time from items they can borrow from a friend or discover on their closet floor.
Kristina Landry, Noa Kantorovich, Amelia Gallagher, Julia Meredith and Maddy Billingsley laugh as they sort through Halloween costume ideas on the grass outside of the Campus Center at UMass on Tuesday October 18, 2016
There were also many students who were inspired by friends. “My friend was workout Barbie last year and it was just too good of a costume not to repeat,” said Amelia Gallagher. “I’m all about being resourceful this year, after years of planning so far ahead. I’m not trying to buy anything and I’m not trying to think about it too far in advance,” Gallagher said. “My most unique ideas come to me when I’m not thinking of them. It’ll probably be an hour before I go out that I officially decide my costume,” SHE said. ( Gallagher.) GOOD
Anastasia Kordova, a senior microbiology major from Boston says although she only spent $35 on a costume last year, GOOD DETAIL, AS I HAVE NO IDEordering (once) ONE in advance means that she has to decide what she wants to be right away which is “too much decision making.” Her plan is to be something as simple as possible, such as a cat or a witch. “You can’t go wrong with simple. Plus, everyone is trying to go with the most ‘out there’ costume and we’re forgetting about all the great basics,” she said.FUN QUOTE
Nate Green, a senior accounting major from UMass, is applying his money management skills to be especially frugal this year. Green says he “works eight hours a week at Baby Berk, a minimum wage job on campus.” He said he “barely makes any money. “
“Why would I blow my whole paycheck on a one night thing?” Last year Green spent $79 on a Top Gun inspired costume and “wanted to cry looking at my bank statement the next day.” This year he plans on going for a comedic effect by dressing as America’s favorite ballgame treat -- a hotdog.
Green got his inspiration from scrolling through his cousin’s Instagram and stumbling upon a picture of him wearing the ensemble. “I immediately texted him and demanded he let me borrow it,” Green said. “And here we are now.”
Plus Green said, “you never get another day where you can be completely ridiculous. And it’s a bonus when you don’t have to break the bank over it.”
Students brainstorming Halloween costumes with friends outside
the Integrative Learning Center on Tuesday, October 18, 2016
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