Kids can learn to put a hem in, cut-out paper ghosts, and measure cupfuls of sugar.
Some ideas: Everyone in Hawaiian luau costumes with grass skirts in honor of Barack Obamas home state?
Or all the aunts in Hillary Clinton rainbow-colored pant suits?
Or the baby in a Cindy McCain wig?
Halloween is the one time of year when its important to be completely irreverent and to overdose on candy.
Easy patterns, including a cute family of penguins can be found at Simplicity.com.
A closet raid at Grandmas might reveal 70s-style tracksuits, muumuus and who knows what other gems.
Be creative and open-minded and the costumes will come.