Several times a week, you can spot Christophe Waggoner sifting through piles of clothes at a thrift store in central Texas. But he’s not there hunting for a bargain, he’s hunting for magic.
“I’m trying to see if anything catches my attention,” Waggoner says. “It’s usually either shiny, furry or sparkly.”
From his home in Austin, the 62-year-old washes, glues, and sews his thrifted treasures into something new, transforming ordinary garments into extraordinary Halloween costumes. Then, every fall, he opens his doors so kids can pick out their costumes for free.
“I want everybody, all the kids, their parents, whatever, to feel like they’re getting the same thing that somebody went out and bought,” he says.
This year, his events have been busier than ever, and it’s no surprise why. The National Retail Federation reports that the average Halloween costume now costs $37.62, up 11% from last year. Tariffs and inflation have driven prices higher than before the pandemic, making a once-simple childhood joy harder for families to afford.
When families have to cut costs, a single-use costume might be the first thing to go. But Waggoner knows that losing out on that moment, of pretending to be a superhero or a fairy or a dinosaur, means losing a piece of childhood wonder.
That’s why he keeps going, even while working full-time and spending more than $5,000 each year just to store the costumes.
“The goal is to make people better than they were before the event,” he says. “If there’s somebody there to help you, then you’re more than likely to turn around and help somebody else.”
And many do, returning or donating their costumes so another child can experience the same joy.
To anyone who might shrug and say it’s “just a Halloween costume,” Waggoner has a simple answer: “Everybody should deserve a chance to be a kid.”
- Bride Marries During Contractions Outside Hospital After Labor Starts on Wedding Day - October 21, 2025
- One Man Turns Thrift Store Finds Into Halloween Magic for Families in Need - October 21, 2025
- Year 7 Students 3D-Print a Hand for Their Friend — and End Up Representing Australia on the World Stage - October 21, 2025
