a kinder, prettier, plastic guilt-free carnival

Carnival can be magical without being loud, plasticky, or over the top. It doesn’t have to mean flimsy masks that snap by lunchtime or costumes worn once and then forgotten at the bottom of a drawer.

This year, think second-hand costumes. Charity shops and swaps are full of hidden gems — beautiful fabrics, richer colours, and pieces that already have a bit of soul. There’s something very groovy about a costume that’s been loved before.

Another favourite option is shopping your own cupboards. A striped top becomes a sailor — add a paper hat and you’re done. A long skirt becomes a fairytale character. Add one small detail — a crown, a scarf, a hat — inspired by a favourite TV or book character, without copying the whole thing. Kids don’t need perfect replicas; they need space to imagine.

And if you do feel like buying something new, there are some really lovely costume and prop shops in Cyprus with quality pieces that actually last. Wings that survive more than one carnival, capes that get passed down, accessories that live on in the dress-up box long after the confetti’s been swept away.