Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Halloween is still several weeks away, but people began shopping for that "perfect" costume last month, according to Celebrations co-owner Joyce Conlon.
"They're really dedicated," she said of early costume buyers.
And what are they picking out?
"Usually," Conlon said, "its the scary ones like Freddy Krueger or 'Scream.' Some have already come in and bought aliens."
Women, she said, want the Wizard of Oz costumes, flappers or French maids. There is really not a particular costume that stands out among the rest this year, she said.
Conlon said, "This year, I really don't think there's a big show, so it's more of the traditional ones."
And it's the women who drag the men in to find the perfect garb. "We found that the women like to dress up more," she said.
The men will go for the masks, like Freddy Krueger, she said. "All of these are hand-painted from California. We really like the masks we get in."
At Wal-Mart, "Toy Story" costumes are the most popular, said assistant manager Myrtle Halbert. Secondly, the animal character costumes, with real-istic fur, are doing well.
Children seem to be staying away from the scary costumes, she said. "Usually, they are the last ones to go." But not for adults, who always seem to pick the scary costumes, she said.
"When they get to age 12," Halbert said, "they go for the scary."
Big Kmart set their Halloween costumes out in early September and customers "started looking at them right away," said unit and pricing manager Linda Whisman.
"I've had a lot of people asking for Tigger ... there's not any others that they have really been asking for," Whisman said.
Other costumes being picked up, she said, are the "kiddie cartoon" costumes like Barney, Pokemon and Digimon. "They like those," Whisman said.
Like Wal-Mart, scary costumes at Kmart aren't big for children. Whisman said even witch costumes being bought aren't scary - customers are buying the "pretty witch" costumes.
Not too many adult costumes are being bought so far, Whisman said. However, since the big rush is the day before Halloween, that could change.
This year, some of Celebration's adult costumes were designed by European designers. There's Cinderella, the Feline Fatale, Morgana, Fire Mistress, Marquis de Sade or the Midnight Stalker to choose from.
Conlon said, "People have come in and really liked them, too."
To rent a costume from Celebrations, East Center Street, Warsaw, a customer must put down a deposit equal to the rental. When the costume is picked up, the rental is due. After the costume is returned, and if it's still in good condition, the deposit is returned.
The costumes not only come with the clothing, but also with accessories that add the finishing touches. For example, with the pirate costume, one not only gets the pants and shirt, but also the sword, eye patch, hook and earrings.
Some costumes and Halloween-related items are for sale. Celebrations also offers makeup and hair color.
Rental cost ranges from $5 to $40. The average, Conlon said, is $30.
"People say it's a lot less expensive than in Fort Wayne," she said.
By entering costume contests, there is a chance of winning money. Conlon said, "A lot of our costumes win at contests" so the costume rental pays for itself.
