This Halloween creep it real and save yourself some money with these wicked tips.
Halloween will be here before you know it, and it’s time to start planning on how you will save this Halloween. It may seem like a smaller holiday compared to Christmas, but between costumes, decorations and the beloved sweet treats it can cost a frightful amount.
If you’re looking for tips that won’t haunt your wallet stick around.
Plan Ahead
Halloween is on the same day every year, so it can not creep up on you unexpectedly. If you love celebrating take the time to plan ahead and put some money aside in advance.
Set a budget.
A budget does not need to be scary.
All you need to do is determine a realistic amount that you are willing to spend and stick to it.
You can start saving for Halloween by dividing your cut off amount into the months leading up to the haunting day and put some money aside each month.
Say you want to spend no more than $200 this year on Halloween, and you start saving in January that would mean you would have to put $20 aside each month. And if you start saving right after this Halloween and put $20 dollars aside for 12 months you will have $240 to work with.
Things to Consider When Making Your Halloween Budget
- How many trick-or-treaters do you usually get/ how much candy will you need?
- Will you host a party?
- Can you reuse decor and costumes from last year?
- Where can you cut costs, what can you do that is free?
- Focus on experiences, like pumpkin carving and crafting costumes and decorations instead of buying over the top costumes and decor.
Now that you have a fab-boo-lous plan in order, here are more ways to have a spooktacular Halloween on a budget.
Costumes
The amount of money that stores suck out of us for Halloween costumes is downright frightful.
Popular costumes can cost anywhere from $30 to $80, especially at the Halloween themed stores or party stores.
Scary.
What’s even scarier is if you have to buy costumes for more than one little goblin, it can really add up.
Here are some tips to keep the costume costs down low.
Reuse or Repurpose a Costume
- Make a few upgrades to last year’s costume.
- Pass it down to the next child.
- Do a costume swap with friends.
Shop Early
When stores start stocking the shelves, take a look. This allows you time to snag the costume you or your kiddos really want.
Start shopping for next year’s Halloween when the prices start getting slashed. 50% – 90% OFF, nothing scary about saving money.
Shop Around
Take the time to compare prices at different stores, the earlier the better. This can save you $20+ for the same costume.
Best part is you won’t get stuck with the random masks and wigs scattered along the empty aisles the day before Halloween.
Ditch The Mask, Use Makeup Instead
This trend is getting more and more popular every year.
Not only does it saves you from buying a mask you would probably only wear once, but you there is so many amazing tutorials on YouTube from deers to witches. Get creative and save some money, you can always pick up makeup from the dollar store.
Fly By the Thrift Store
Check out your local thrift store for costumes on a discount.
Some stores actually have lower cost versions of the costumes you can find in the big Halloween stores.
As well as previously owned costumes, and mix and match items to create your own original costume.
Browse earlier in the season to avoid the crowds and leftovers.
DIY Halloween Costume
Don’t be afraid to get a little crafty, and think outside the box.
Raid your closet and check the thrift store racks to save yourself a cauldron full of cash.
You don’t need to be the typical superhero, when you can dress as a lumberjack (all you need is a good plaid shirt and some jeans), a scarecrow (similar digs, just add some straw), or even a farmer (put those overalls to use).
Get the kiddos involved, make it a fun tradition, instead of a last minute rush to the stores to find a Spiderman costume that fits.
Rather Shop Online?
There is a variety of online retailers that sell second hand costumes, and new ones at a wholesale price.
Search around and compare prices at the following sites:
Freecycle.com
You can’t beat free!
Checkout the freecycle in your area to snag a costume fit for a Queen, Witch, Vampire, or whatever your fancy.
Freecycle is a community of people dedicated to keeping items out of landfills all for the price of nothing.
You post an item you are searching for, or browse the items available, contact the other freecycle, and set up a time and location for pick-up.
Super easy.
Check out what costumes are available in your area.
eBay
Good old eBay, selling goods since 1995.
Some great deals are to be had on the site, so check here for that costume.
If you are not into the treasure hunt, you can checkout:
Amazon.com
Like you aren’t on there all the time anyway, see if you can pick up a deal on a costume.
Amazon.com is known for its affordable prices.
HalloweenCostumes.com
Halloweencostumes.com has quite the variety, and has an easy to navigate site.
They have multiple sites, US, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, Australia, and EU, so they are readily available to most.
They have a ton of Halloween essentials and decorations as well, and make sure to checkout their sale section, where you can get up to 80% off!
WholesaleHalloweenCostumes.com
Halloween costumes at wholesale prices, now that’s wicked.
Similarly to Halloweencostumes.com, you can change your currency/ location.
Candy
Candy is a must have for Halloween.
Whether you get the hard candies, the chocolate bars (bring on the Reese’s) or those way too small bags of chips, the following are ways to save on candy:
- Figure out how much you need.
- Avoid your favourite treats. As you will most likely be tempted to indulge, and in turn will have to buy more candy (Just so you don’t disappoint the whole pack of paw patrol standing at your door).
- Consider non candy treats – What?! I know! but hear me out, kids love toys too, you can also give pencils and a treat
- Hard candies
- Store brand, most kids will not care, it’s candy after all!
- Toothbrushes are another option…if you really want to be that person. Unforgettable for sure. Andrew said one year his mom gave out toothbrushes and he was surprised their house didn’t get egged.
- Shop early to avoid inflated prices.
- On the other hand you can risk being stuck with leftovers and shop the day before or the day of.
Here are some sweet places to save when buying candy:
Dollar Store
You can get name brand candy for the price of a dollar. Don’t forget to compare unit prices, to make sure you are getting a deal.
Hit up the Bulk Food Store
Bulk food stores are a great way to stock up at a low price.
Beware! You may be tempted by many sweet treats, so go in with a plan and a budget. (Leave the debit and credit cards at home if you have to).
It is best to buy individually wrapped candies if you plan to fill the bags of trick-or-treaters, or send them for a class Halloween party. Such candies include lollipops, gum, rockets/smarties, jolly ranchers and the like.
Save the unwrapped candies such as gummy worms and candy corn for the parties hosted at home.
Speaking of parties, let’s talk about ways to save on Halloween Entertainment.
Parties and Entertainment
Be the ghostess with the mostest.
Avoid the costly haunted houses, and other halloween themed attractions that can suck the life out of your budget.
Stay home.
Watch a scary movie instead. Keep the lights off, move by candle or flashlight, play spooky music and read ghost stories, play Halloween themed games.
Ways to Save on a Halloween Party:
Here are a few ways that you can keep costs down this year, while still enjoying sweet treats and Halloween-themed foods:
- Have everyone bring a Halloween themed dish or treat, this will save you so much on food.
- Plan a late party, to avoid having to provide a full meal to guests, serve finger food, and candy to tide them over
- Get your party supplies from the dollar store, cute Halloween themed plates and napkins for a dollar, much cheaper than the craft store.
- Craft your own invitations, halloween cards, and tags for gifts.(Many great printables can be found with a quick search on google or Pinterest)
- Make your own Halloween treats, instead of buying the pre-made store bought ones, bake and decorate your own cookies, and cupcakes.
- BYOC (Bring Your Own Candy) Have guests bring a bag of candy to add to a big candy bowl for everyone to snack on.
Not a Party Person?
- Check out the spooky Halloween decorations in the neighbourhood (similar to admiring Christmas lights, this is best done at night)
- See what your City has to offer on their event calendar. Most cities will host fun, free activities leasing up the holiday. The businesses in the area where I live, usually host a trick-or-treat event for the kids, which helps with exposure for the participating businesses.
- If you live in an apartment or condo building the social committee usually will have a candy station set up or Halloween events.
Now that we have covered costumes, candy and parties it’s time to talk decorations!
Decorate
Halloween decorations do not have to cost a fortune.
For years I decorated my parents house with a bag of cobwebs (sometimes half a bag ‘cause I’m so frugal. I can’t help it), some fake spiders and a plug in jack-o-lantern. We did at one point have tombstones (cheap ones that you just stick in your lawn)
It was definitely not the best decorated on the street, but it did the job. Let the kids know we were open for business.
DIY
All those halloween crafts the kids bring home from school, use them to decorate the house, it will not only be more meaningful, but cost effective as well!
Use old jars, or your fancy apothecary jars an add Halloween candy
Take some inspiration from the internet, or in store displays and make your own version.
Thrift store
While you are at the thrift store picking up your costumes, check the home decor section.
Starting in September, and sometimes even earlier, thrifts stores start putting out the Halloween merchandise, donated decorations and some new ones at thrift store prices.
If you feel like getting crafty grab some black spray paint and spray anything from old fake flowers or branches, to dish-ware and candle holders.
Dollar Store
Not just great for party supplies, you can also pick up some low cost Halloween decorations.
Beware! These can sometimes be very fragile, but if you take care of them they can last a few years.
Pick up your DIY supplies here, and craft some of your own decorations.
Pumpkin Picking
Some may argue a pumpkin is Mandatory for Halloween, it just makes the season so much better.
For years my family skipped the actual pumpkins, for a plug in Jack-o-lantern. When I moved into a condo I also continued to skip the pumpkin buying. (However I could not resist the little ones from the Farmers Market that I would place around my home).
The last couple of years Andrew and I have started the tradition of buying and carving a pumpkin together. I can say I am so glad we did, we have so much fun from picking put the perfect one to gutting it and watching it glow 🙂
If you’re looking for ways to cut back on this year’s Jack, the following may help:
Wait to Buy
I know, I know. I too, feel excited when I walk into the store and see the fresh display of pumpkins.
By purchasing your pumpkins closer to Halloween you can save several dollars.
Bonus: You will also avoid the sad squishy would-be-Jack-o-lantern, that nobody wants to touch.
Beware!: You may not have an abundance of perfectly round spotless pumpkins to choose from, but make that your new thing, who can find the ugliest pumpkin.
Wait to Carve
I learned this one the hard way…
I created my masterpiece too early, and it began to mould.
So not cute… actually kind of scary.
Beware! Do not leave your pumpkins on a warm windowsill.
Store in a cool place leading up to the big night. (Basement, on the deck, or in the fridge if you have room).
Pick ‘em Yourself
On our way home from a hike one afternoon in the light rain we saw a sign in front of someone’s house that read “Pumpkins”.
We looked at each other and made the quick decision to turn around and go check it out.
It was at the home of a lovely old couple who had been farming pumpkins with their family for years.
We found our perfect pumpkin and some well priced gourds and we were as happy as witches in a broom shop.
By buying pumpkins roadside, you can usually get a better price, and a charming experience, while still saving money from the temptations of a pumpkin farm.
Beware! Picking at a typical pumpkin patch may be fun for the whole family, but the cost can be scary. With the price of admission, the must-do hayride, the petting zoo, delicious baked goods at the little shop on the way out. So it is best to avoid or budget accordingly.
Grocery Store Pumpkins
Can be more cost effective than the pumpkin patch, and you can easily add it into your grocery budget.
Grocery store pumpkins are usually sold at a flat rate, meaning any and all sized pumpkins in the bin are the same price.
This differs from most pumpkin patch farms that charge per pound, so that big beautiful pumpkin your child just must have, could cost you double or triple vs. the store bought one.
Carving a Hole in your Wallet
Just aheads up:
All those fancy pumpkin carving tools also cost a spooky amount for some cheap plastic utensils.
I waited to buy my carving kit on 90%clearance but before then I used a large kitchen knife, some large spoons and my hands (that’s the best part anyway).
Frugal Reminder:
Use those seeds, why let them go to waste.
Roasting them are what we usually do.
There are many different recipes to try, we try a new one every year. We just check pintrest and pick what appeals to us the most that year.
Prepare For Next Year Now
Right after Halloween is when I do my Halloween shopping for the following year.
I buy decorations that I had been eyeing all season, and stock up on chocolate (Since I’m a tad too old to go trick-or-treating), that I throw in the freezer and try to make last the week.
You could snag a costume a size or two up for the kiddos, if they are not too picky on what they wear. Or have your own costume ready for next year’s celebrations.
Stash those party supplies and new decor items away in storage and you will be pleasantly surprised next year with new and exciting stuff.
Plan your budget for next Halloween, this year. How much did you spend this year? Was it a reasonable amount? Could you have gone without something or made a more wallet friendly swap? Pick an amount and start saving now.
Wrapping it all up (Like a Mummy)
To save money this Halloween remember to:
- Budget
- Shop around for a good priced costume or craft your own
- Make some candy swaps
- Save money when hosting a party and keep entertainment costs down
- Decorate on the cheap
- Be smart when picking that pumpkin
By being resourceful and planning ahead you can save a cauldron full of cash this Halloween.
What is your favourite Halloween tradition? How do you cut costs at Halloween?
Let me know in the comments down below.
Stay frightfully frugal,
