Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

It's been many years since Dorothy and her friends hit the yellow brick road, but the fresh-faced girl from Kansas remains a Halloween favorite again this season. Dressing a group? Consider divvying up the roles of the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Wicked Witch.

Any of these perennially popular costumes can be purchased online at a site like www.anniescostumes.com or at your local costume store. They can also be recreated at home with a little creativity.

For a do-it-yourself Dorothy costume, dress in a knee-length white dress topped with a blue-and-white checked apron. Add white socks and, of course, a pair of glittering ruby slippers. Finally, if you have long hair, pull it into two low ponytails and tie each with a blue or white ribbon. Instead of a trick-or-treat bag, carry a woven basket. That'll get you noticed, my pretty!