Tag: party favors

Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in the Boston Area: Our Updated Resource Page
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.

This post was updated for Halloween 2017.

Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

If you want a quick look before you get in line, you can click over to the Google view of the store's fully stocked interior.

For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline in Coolidge Corner has lots of holiday party goodies!

New additions to our list.

Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.

Oona's in Harvard Square has this photo featured on their site. Vintage costumes can be fun.

Great Eastern Trading Co. in Central Square Cambridge sell vintage if that is the direction you would like to take with your costume.

The Costume Company in Belmont.

Note: These Are Closed

In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.

Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.

If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011-2014 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District and top photo from iStockphoto.com
October 14, 2016
Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in Boston 2012-2013 Season
Here’s our yearly list of places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. We find the costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for New Years, Saint Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.

This is an outdated Post view our new resource page for costumes at this link.

Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons …

Check out these Costume Haunts:

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And, tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And, "Open 'til Midnight ALL of October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold, or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs, or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents the full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or, you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people were lined up, like this, waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

Army Barracks
Across the street from Dorothy's is the Army Barracks store. With a little imagination, you can use their surplus gear to create a costume for that upcoming party.

iParty. This regional chain has stores around the area. Here's their store locator.

And, remember to visit the Halloween Shop at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline not only has the main store, in Coolidge Corner, with lots of holiday party goods but for Halloween they have opened a satelite store in Washington Square. Hours for the rest of October 2012 are at that link.

If you're more of an internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page. Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Related articles

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Costume Swap: A Greener Halloween

When offered the choice between being a banana and a Mario Brother, he'll take Luigi every time

Flu Shot Information Update for 2012 – 2013 Season
October 18, 2012
Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in Boston 2012-2013 Season
Here’s our yearly list of places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. We find the costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for New Years, Saint Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.

This is an outdated Post view our new resource page for costumes at this link.

Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons …

Check out these Costume Haunts:

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And, tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And, "Open 'til Midnight ALL of October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold, or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs, or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents the full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or, you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people were lined up, like this, waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

Army Barracks
Across the street from Dorothy's is the Army Barracks store. With a little imagination, you can use their surplus gear to create a costume for that upcoming party.

iParty. This regional chain has stores around the area. Here's their store locator.

And, remember to visit the Halloween Shop at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline not only has the main store, in Coolidge Corner, with lots of holiday party goods but for Halloween they have opened a satelite store in Washington Square. Hours for the rest of October 2012 are at that link.

If you're more of an internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page. Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Related articles

Halloween For Your Pet

Big Bird Costume One Of Hottest This Halloween!

Costume Swap: A Greener Halloween

When offered the choice between being a banana and a Mario Brother, he'll take Luigi every time

Flu Shot Information Update for 2012 – 2013 Season
October 18, 2012
Where to Buy or Rent Costumes in Boston 2012-2013 Season
Here’s our yearly list of places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. We find the costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for New Years, Saint Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.

This is an outdated Post view our new resource page for costumes at this link.

Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons …

Check out these Costume Haunts:

Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And, tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.

The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.

It's open seven days a week. And, "Open 'til Midnight ALL of October!"

They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing if you want to create your own.

They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold, or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs, or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents the full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or, you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.

Dorothy's Boutique

Soon you'll find people were lined up, like this, waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.

Army Barracks
Across the street from Dorothy's is the Army Barracks store. With a little imagination, you can use their surplus gear to create a costume for that upcoming party.

iParty. This regional chain has stores around the area. Here's their store locator.

And, remember to visit the Halloween Shop at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.

Party Favors in Brookline not only has the main store, in Coolidge Corner, with lots of holiday party goods but for Halloween they have opened a satelite store in Washington Square. Hours for the rest of October 2012 are at that link.

If you're more of an internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page. Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Related articles

Halloween For Your Pet

Big Bird Costume One Of Hottest This Halloween!

Costume Swap: A Greener Halloween

When offered the choice between being a banana and a Mario Brother, he'll take Luigi every time

Flu Shot Information Update for 2012 – 2013 Season
October 18, 2012
TerraVino Wines: Places We Shop

We live a city lifestyle. Our shopping trips are more likely to take us to three or four small shops than to one big box store. Here in Boston, and on the road, we'll share our great shop finds with you. -The BostonZest Team!

Update: Alas we can't shop here any longer because the store closed a few months later.

Name: TerraVino Wines

Address: 234 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 (Map & Reviews)

Phone: 617-232-1180

Do you have a roster of small, well-curated shops where you find the best selections? Let us know in the comments below or send us an email. We're always ready to add new resources to our list.

(Click on any photo for a larger image)

Shop Description: Calm and soothing. You can see the thought that was put into designing the shop. What you may not see is that it is also very green– environmentally responsible that is! Here are the details about that aspect of this store.

People: Christopher and Rayna Carbone are the owners. Christopher (above) is a Certified Specialist of Wine. But, more important than the letters after his name is his ability to communicate his love of the wines he stocks to customers with any level of wine knowledge. He asks the right questions, tries to figure out what you like, what food you are matching, offers tastes, and refines his recommendations from there.

What makes this shop special: A very warm welcome. Great wine knowledge. A carefully curated selection. Plus, a great location right off the Green Line in Coolidge Corner. You know you'll be going there soon, for something, so stop by and explore this new shop while you're there.

They say: "We believe in wines that are Real, honestly made, in the most Natural way. We offer wines that we truly believe in, allowing them to express their origins, the talent and commitment of the producers, and the inherent quality of the vintage. We put our dedication to work through our commitment only offering exceptional Natural wines that are sustainable, organic and biodynamic. "

We Say: Our first visit was like walking into a room filled with old friends. As we circled the selection, we took turns saying, "Look they carry…." followed by the name of a longtime favorite wine, producer, or importer.

Nice Touch: They have four reds and four whites available for tasting. This allows you to try wines that might be a bit out of your comfort zone and helps guide the staff to offer better recommendations for you.

Regulars say: Richard Auffrey, The Passionate Foodie said, "This is very much a hand sell store where customer service is key. Many of these wines will be unfamiliar to the average consumer, and even the avid wine lover is likely to find plenty of wines they have not tasted before. It is a very intriguing selection of wines, and there were plenty of wines which interested me."

Gretchen (@MoralBeast) and Urban Wine Dweller wrote: "The brilliant Thierry Triolet Champagne Brut from @terravinowines. Really great stuff. Perfect with sushi." Our thanks go to Gretchen for recommending TerraVino Wines.

Did you know? Another part of this couple's green and natural lifestyle is a gluten-free, vegetarian diet.

Don't Miss: Their sparkling wine selection on the center table. Here's a Grower Champagne we bought from TerraVino. You know how we love sparkling wines!

Phone: 617-232-1180

Website: www.terravinowines.com

Twitter: @TerraVinoWines

Facebook: Terra Vino Wines

While you're in the neighborhood: Coolidge Corner is home to many great, local businesses, and a fabulous farmers' market on Thursday afternoons from mid-June to late October.

Here are reports on a few of our favorite places in the area:

Michael's Deli

When Pigs Fly Bakery

Party Favors

Brookline Farmers' Market

While we love to support local shops, we also hope you'll support us when you shop on Amazon. When you click over to Amazon from one of our links, they put some change in our tip cup. It doesn't cost you anymore, but it helps keep BostonZest coming your way.

Fine wine glasses that are dishwasher safe? While Ed insists on washing our stems, I can't swear to it but the manufacture says that, the Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Forte Collection can go in the dishwasher. We do put our barware from the same line through the dishwaser all the time. How about this Stemless Snifter?

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 10, 2012