This man thrifts all year to create free Halloween costumes for kids

Inspired man comes up with a caring hobby.

Christophe Waggoner hosts a yearly event for kids — plus adults and dogs — to pick out Halloween costumes he gathers and mends.

October 9, 2025 at 8:05 a.m. EDT

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Christophe Waggoner has what he calls a “shopping problem.” Not for himself, though. All year long, he scours Texas thrift stores for children’s Halloween costumes.

“I’m looking for anything shiny, sparkly or furry,” he said. “I’m always keeping an eye out.”

For the past nine years, Waggoner has collected thousands of Halloween costumes, and every fall, he hosts an event in Austin where children — plus adults and dogs — can pick out Halloween costumes for free.

Waggoner doesn’t just collect the costumes. He washes, repairs and sometimes redesigns the garments, figuring out ways to make them feel brand new. “I get them, I’ll wash them, if they need to be restitched, I’ll do that, and sometimes I’ll just change them outright,” he said.


Link to story with pictures at Washington Post.

Archive link.

The story also notes that he does this because in his first year in a house (after moving from an apartment), he was excited about trick or treaters. He noticed, though, that some kids' costumes weren't so good, so he set about changing that. As you get to the end of the story, you'll learn that now hundreds of families from all over Austin show up. Not only that, but he has attracted volunteers to help.

The best pictures are at the end of the story, so be sure to scroll down!