Halloween is just around the corner, and if you are still in need of a costume there are some creative and budget-minded options right in downtown.

Snickerdoodles on Hartz Avenue carries several "gently worn" kid costumes. The prices are reasonable, but not remarkable. The conditions of the costumes usually are excellent, however.

For more modern all-in-one, packaged costumes, head to Boswells, next to the Home Consignment Center on Camino Ramon. It also has a tremendous selection of truly frightening masks.

If you want a deal, head to The Thrift Station in the Crossroads Shopping Center on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Volunteer Corrine Evans is in charge of the costume selection and says that most costumes average around $4. They carry adult and kids' sizes, and have various odds and ends for those with a creative streak.

The condition of the costumes is variable, but the prices make it worth rummaging through.

For sheer volume and variety of options, The Polka Dot Attic on Hartz Avenue is the ultimate dress-up closet.

Owner Susan Middleton Elya says that over time her store has become a "costume shop that sells antiques"—when it used to be the reverse.

Elya's shop has ten tubs of bits and pieces with costume potential for $9.99 or less, lined up outside her back door. There are also ensembles, drawn from the store's large inventory of vintage items, that are $20 and higher.

Elya says that she has "a ton of girly, princessy, and fairy" dress-up items, and all hats are on sale in October.

Happy hunting!