Shrub (Bush, Plant) costume

Pretty simple really, my son had an idea to make a bush costume and this is how we did it.
It turned out pretty cool.
Everyone who saw him out trick or treating in it was taking pictures of the costume.
We threw this together in less than 2 hours on Halloween morning.

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Flower pot

First, get a big plastic flower pot.
We got a 20" one from the Home Cheapo for $14.99.
There was a removable bottom piece that holds the water.
Take that off and cut a hole in the bottom.
I used a jigsaw.

Next I used some electric service cable clamps that I had lying around for suspender supports.
I clamped these in a vise and hammered them over to create a loop to fit a piece of rope that we used for the suspenders.
I screwed the clamps to the inside of the pot, near the top, with 3/4" #10 machine screws, washers and nuts.

2 pieces of rope create the 2 suspender straps and a 3rd smaller piece holds them together so they don't slide off your shoulders.

gumcrazy says: Oct 23, 2012. 10:58 PM

Brilliant! I might make one myself.

clibanarius says: Nov 1, 2011. 6:38 AM

My son and I made this costume for a Halloween contest at his school and my 30 days of instructables personal challenge. It landed him third place (he was robbed!). It was looking pretty tattered by the end of the day, which was the first chance I had to photograph it, as did several parents of other trick-or-treaters. Brilliantly original idea; thanks for posting it!

Jack A Lopez says: Nov 2, 2010. 5:10 AM

It looks nice. And not too expensive.

The Knights who say "Ni" would be impressed.
;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIV4poUZAQo

lolcat360 in reply to Jack A LopezOct 13, 2011. 4:33 PM

Finally, a fellow Monty Python lover! Internet high-five!!!

Jack A Lopez in reply to lolcat360Oct 14, 2011. 2:42 AM

Yes!!! Not sure if the Knights are still out there, lurking in some primeval forest somewhere, or even they still say "ni", or some other word, but I'm sure if they are out there, their lust for shrubberies continues, and will probably never be sated.

paqrat in reply to Jack A LopezOct 30, 2011. 11:13 PM

Can a lust for shrubberies ever be sated? Is there a 12 step program?

Jack A Lopez in reply to paqratNov 1, 2011. 5:18 AM

I don't know if there is or not. I've also heard of something called "hooked on phonics", and I don't know if there's help for that either, but I do know this: I know how many psychologists it takes to change a light bulb.

The answer: just one, but the light bulb has to want to change.

zascecs in reply to Jack A LopezNov 2, 2010. 4:04 PM

haha yes they sure would

fishmistress says: Oct 31, 2011. 1:42 PM

Reminds me of when my best friend and I went as a table and chair for Halloween.

dsammut-bryan says: Oct 31, 2011. 8:44 AM

We made this. And Everyone LOVED it! We used pine garland it looked pretty full and it was a hit! Thanks for this idea. We even got a large enough bucket (used the bucket with the rope handles) and it was great, it made him able to crouch down inside.. Got a great pic of him sitting with the neighbors shrubs.. too funny. Thanks for the idea!

marple200 (author) in reply to dsammut-bryanOct 31, 2011. 9:22 AM

I'm glad it worked out well.
I'm thinking a lighted Christmas tree would be awesome as well.

231

randofo says: Nov 1, 2010. 7:46 PM

There is a guy here in S.F. who makes his living pretending to be a bush and scaring tourists.

135

caitlinsdad in reply to randofoNov 1, 2010. 8:29 PM

There was a Bush in Washington D.C. who makes his living pretending to be a president and scaring citizens.

paqrat in reply to caitlinsdadOct 30, 2011. 11:15 PM

LOL He also scared the economy so badly it hasn't come out of hiding yet.

231

randofo in reply to caitlinsdadNov 1, 2010. 9:12 PM

Anyhow, as I was saying...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Famous_Bushman

god squad 101 in reply to randofoOct 23, 2012. 4:39 PM

i read that wikipedia thing. wow. you'd think he'd run out of people to scare

135

caitlinsdad in reply to caitlinsdadNov 1, 2010. 8:30 PM

and watch out for dogs that mistake the planter for a tree.

notalis1970 says: Oct 9, 2011. 3:42 AM

I LOVE it! It's hilarious, original and easy...perfect...even tho no one here in Italy really does Halloween, I might just make myself one to walk around town or go to the market. Thumbs up!!!