By Elizabeth Schreckenberg

The leaves have just begun to fall, but many of you have already gotten invitations to a Halloween party - costume mandatory! Maybe you haven't dressed up in ages, or you've had to come up with so many costumes in the past that you're stumped for ideas. Here are a few suggestions to get your wheels turning.

Go with Your Guy

Hollywood pairs are always fun to mimic. If you want to score lots of laughs, how about Jon and Kate Gosselin? Available this year in stores and online is an "Eight is Too Much" wig that mirrors Kate's distinctive hairstyle. Slather on the bronzer, wear sunglasses and capris with heels, and carry a canvas snack bag overflowing with organic goods. Have two daughters? Have them wear black bobbed wigs, and make sure one of them acts bratty the whole night.

If you convince your guy to be John (good luck!), buy a hair plug wig and spray paint it black. For the old Jon, have him wear jeans, a button up shirt and a sweater vest. The newer version of Jon needs an Ed Hardy T-shirt. The proud papa can flash his wallet filled with pictures of eight random kids all night long. And don't forget to have him carry his current fling - a blow up doll- around the party.

Another big celebrity costume idea is Michael Jackson. Lauren Rodriguez, an associate with Johnnie Brocks Dungeon Costume Shop, said the Michael costume is expected to be the most popular purchase this year. But even if everyone else is donning Michael gear, who says you can't mix it up a bit?

"Role reversal works out great for costumes," said Rodriguez. "You could be Michael and have your husband be Janet. It's a fun way to attract a lot of attention."

If you're obsessed with the Twilight Series, Bella and Edward are a hot couple to impersonate. As Bella, wear a light blue satin dress (rip it if it didn't cost too much), pasty face powder, and red contacts. Have your Edward wear a white button up shirt and jeans, tousled tresses and gold contacts. Sites such as www.costumecontacts.com and www.hauntedeyes.com offer colored contacts including black, red, and gold for about $40.

Rodriguez said her store has vampire accessories such as fangs, and makeup to make it look like you've been bitten. And if you want to throw a third wheel into the mix, Johnnie Brocks has lots of werewolf accessories to make your own Jacob.

"We have the usual masks, or theatrical grade hair that can be glued on to look more real," she said. Have him stick the hair all over his body under too-tight clothes and you have the half wolf, half man hottie.

Grab a Group of Girls

If you have a close-knit group of girlfriends, chances are you've dubbed one or all of them the real-life Lynette Scavo, Carrie Bradshaw, Rose Nyland, etc. Use your favorite show to set your theme. As Desperate Housewives, your group can go as Gabby - a stylish firecracker, Lynette - frazzled and harried, Susan - beautiful but ditzy, or Bree - the ultimate homemaker. A few years ago, Michelle Murphy of St. Louis used this idea and even "stabbed herself in the stomach" just as Bree accidentally did when she was faking her pregnancy, but never let the freshly baked cake out of her hands.

"I loved that episode," said Murphy. "There were enough people at the party that knew the story that I didn't have to explain it too much. They loved it."

To dress the parts of the Sex and the City crew, you either have to go eccentric as Carrie (don't forget that HUGE flower), sophisticated as Charlotte, all-business as Miranda, or super sexy as Samantha.

Still a die-hard Golden Girls fan? Just watch an old episode and you'll get some ideas. Some of Dorothy's outfits (shoulder pads and enormous earrings, anyone?) are impossible not to laugh at, and party guests will probably enjoy the nostalgia.

"Thrift stores are a great place to find vintage clothing and accessories," said Rodriguez. "You might find one good piece, then all you have to do is accessorize to complete the look."

Have Fun with the Family

If your whole gang is dressing up, pick a cartoon or movie theme. Rodriguez said since a lot of costumes come in adult and child sizes, families can go as groups such as Scooby-Doo and the Gang, the Flinstones, or the Wizard of Oz.

"Another cute one I've seen is a fruit salad," said Rodriguez. "The mom was an apple, the dad was a bunch of grapes, and the baby was a little banana."

Go Solo

Some of the best costumes are the ones where people have to look at you, wonder for a moment, and then say "Oh, I get it!"

Think of a creative way to be an everyday thing or saying. Sue Lewis, a computer teacher in Columbia, always makes her students guess what she is.

"Last year I put spider-webs all over me and stuck a magazine page to my chest," said Lewis.

"They had to figure out that I was a 'web page'."

A great idea for a middle or high school teacher is a "cereal killer." Tape single-serving cereal boxes to you and stick knives through all of them.

And if you don't want people to have to guess who you are, just wear a long black wig and huge wax lips, and attach 8 (or 14 if you want to be technical) baby dolls to your appendages. It will leave nothing to the imagination, except "What was she thinking?"

If you need help finding costumes and accessories, Rodriguez said Johnnie Brocks' Illinois Dungeon in Fairview Heights has lots of items in stock. Visit them at 455 Salem Place in the Old Ethan Allen Building, near Lotawata Creek.