It's almost Halloween, and it's time to start planning your costume.

Sure, some girls wear what may be considered skanky every weekend, but this night seems to be an exception in Happy Valley, where anything goes. Creativity still gets the most credit with any costume, but for better or worse, cuteness and cleavage seem to get their fair share of attention.

"We have so many [costumes] it's really hard to tell, but the Strawberry Shortcake and Corrupt Cop costumes are selling a lot," said Gary Filkins, a manager at Gift Adventures.

Gift Adventures, 137 E. Beaver Ave., sells a variety of Halloween costumes and accessories, including masks and wigs.

"The one thing you can do to change your appearance is to wear a wig or change your hair color," said Filkins.

Filkins said for girls, referee outfits and baseball outfits are popular. In a college town, another fun costume is one of a female cop whose holsters can hold beer bottles and the belt loops hold shot glasses.

For guys, Filkins said the most popular costume is a beer keg.

"You can actually pour beer in and drink out of it, or your beverage of choice," he said.

Filkins said believe it or not, tutus are popular with guys, and the store has had to make requests for men's size tutus from the manufacturers.

In addition to tutus and beer kegs, Filkins said the Roman armor is always popular with guys each year.

Filkins said while the costumes are non-refundable, they have three dressing rooms so people can try on costumes in the store, which is an advantage to ordering online.

Full-priced packaged costumes cost between $29 and $56 according to Filkins, but the store has several costumes from last year that are selling at half-price.

Of course packaged costumes are fun, but making your own allows you to be more creative and possibly save some money.

Filkins said that over the years, he's seen several unique costumes, including a girl who dressed up as a "one night stand" and wore a lamp shade on her head, as well as a
couple with the guy dressed as a plug and the girl dressed as a socket.

"When they'd hook up, a light would go on," Filkins said.

But it's important to keep in mind the more elaborate costumes can take time, so be sure to get a head start.

Not surprisingly, according to Filkins, everybody tends to wait until the last minute to buy costumes.

"One piece of advice to anybody is to come early," he said. "We tend to have a waiting line as long as two blocks just to get into the store the last three days before Halloween."

Gina Spogli (junior-public relations) said she's been asking people for ideas.

"It's hard to think of something unique," she said. "I've been a devil and a Barbie, but I still don't know what I'm being this year."

Dan Jones (junior-broadcasting) said that last year he was a CATA bus.

"[This year] I'm thinking of being Kasey Jones from the Ninja Turtles... cause he's sweet."

While it's fun to dress as an individual, sometimes it can be more fun to go out dressed as a group with friends.

"One of my friends wants to do The Wizard of Oz," said Matt Hershberger (sophomore-journalism). "There's a lot of us, and I know I'd end up being Dorothy, so I don't even want to think about it."

Some tips: Be creative and original. Look around you and think of people or things that you like.

A few more suggestions: Go with friends as a band, movie or television characters, athletes or professionals in any career.

Most importantly, have fun with it. Halloween is once a year... so embrace it, and enjoy it!