There’s no denying that Halloween is a well-loved holiday. Dressing up in your favorite costume and eating candy guilt-free while getting a good scare sounds like a good time you don’t want to pass up. But how much you end up spending doesn’t have to give you a scare. In 2023 alone, Americans spent about $12B on Halloween or about $100 per person for costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards combined. If spending less this Halloween is on your wish list, we have some tips and tricks for you to do just that below.
Set a Halloween budget ahead of time
Spending less on Halloween starts with setting a budget. Even with the holiday just around the corner, it’s still a good idea to outline what you need and set a spending limit. By planning ahead, you can still find last-minute deals on costumes, candy, and more, helping you avoid overspending.
How to save on costumes
Costumes are a Halloween must — they’re a fun way to break out of the everyday routine and enjoy the festive spirit. Here’s how to get into the Halloween mood without spending a fortune on costumes:
Check your closet and your storage unit
Before rushing to the store to buy something new, raid your closet and attic for your existing costumes. It’s always fun to uncover hidden treasures that you might have forgotten about. That Captain Hook costume you dug out of a forgotten box could be a lifesaver for your Halloween options if you’re in a pinch and unsure of what to wear.
If you’re renting self storage, check your storage unit for any hidden gems. You might find a costume or two tucked away that could be repurposed for this year’s Halloween. Old clothes, accessories, or even fabric scraps could inspire something new.
And if you’re feeling crafty, take a closer look at what you’ve stored—things like old curtains, hats, belts, or even holiday decorations could spark some creative costume ideas. These items could be perfect for DIY costume-making. A vintage outfit might transform into a ghostly gown, an old jacket into a pirate coat, or spare white fabric into a Roman toga. You could even repurpose an emptied moving box into a wearable castle — ideal for a kid who dreams of being the king (or queen!) of their own castle. With a little paint and creativity, that box could become a royal fortress costume. These are just a few ideas, but your storage unit might hold the key to a creative and budget-friendly Halloween look!
Extra tip: If you haven’t used the service before but you’re contemplating using self storage for the first time, putting your costumes in storage is a great way to keep them until next year so that you won’t have to buy new ones and keep your home uncluttered at the same time.
Pick a climate-controlled unit that has the ideal temperature and humidity conditions so that your costumes can stay in great shape. You’ll be fine with a 5’x5’ unit, that can house your costumes and some of your Halloween decor. If you discover you need to store other items as well, consult this storage unit guide and this storage unit calculator to help you better assess your storage needs.
Organize a costume swap
Consider how many times you have actually worn the same costume(s), both for your child and yourself. Not a lot, most likely. If you have children, you can organize a costume swap with your neighbors and exchange costumes so that your child can have a new costume this year.
Rent costumes
You can find costumes to rent, whether in store or online. Head to renttherunway.com to find various costumes or rentaromper.com for children’s costumes. You won’t spend as much as when buying one, and you’re more likely to have a unique or different costume if you choose this option.
Buy a costume at a thrift store or a discount store
A thrift store can always be a treasure trove of spooky costumes or Halloween outfits you can creatively put together yourself. That red sweater, a white shirt and a tie will magically get you a Mister Rogers costume – now Halloween can be a spooky and beautiful day in the neighborhood! You might get a wider selection of stores if you live in one of the best places for thrifting such as Denver, Seattle or Portland. If you need a new costume, you can try a discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx or Marshalls where kids’ costumes come with an attractive price tag.
How to save on candy
Candy is another Halloween essential that can be a money-drainer. Consider some strategies such as these to cut down on expenses for the holiday:
Keep track of how many trick-or-treaters you’re getting
If you haven’t started doing this yet, perhaps it would be a good idea to keep track of how many children are knocking on your door on All Hallows’ Eve to help you determine how much candy you’re going to need the following year. This way, you’re more likely to avoid under- or overspending on candy shopping.
Be strategic about when you’re shopping for candy
You could be tempted to buy candy early, but you also run the risk of eating some or most of it before you hear the eerie call of the trick-or-treaters. Save yourself the temptation and buy the candy the day before Halloween when retailers begin to markdowns, if you can wait. Another idea is to buy candy you’re not going to be tempted to eat – replace some of your favorite with other candy and place it in a container that’s not see-through.
Shop for candy in bulk
Go to the larger retailers such as Costco or Sam’s Club and shop for candy in bulk. You can find the candy of your choice in larger bag. Also, skip the chocolate and buy hard candy, as this comes with a better price tag. You can also shop online for bulk candy to see if they have good deals on the sweets that you’re thinking about buying – couponing can help reduce the overall cost of your order too.
Mix-and-match brand names and generic candy
You can also buy generic for a more budget-minded approach to your Halloween candy. Trick-or-treaters are going to load up on plenty of sugar anyway, whether it’s the brand-name candy or not.
Include fun items in the candy mix
Combine your candy with Halloween-themed items kids love, such as spider rings or glow-in-the-dark bracelets to give away with your candy. They might cost as much as candy, but the good news is that you can add any leftovers to your trick-and-treat bowl for next year.
How to save on Halloween decorations
Decorating your home with décor is part of the Halloween magic. How do you conjure up the spirit of spook and gloom without breaking the bank? Check out these ideas:
Go easy on décor
Apply a minimalist approach to your Halloween décor strategy. Ask yourself if you really need to fill all of your lawn and front porch with inflatables, skeletons and other spook-inducing decorations. You can still create an eerie atmosphere with some spiderweb décor on the grass and some pumpkins with garland lights for a less-is-more effect. It’s easier to use what you already have in terms of décor both indoors and outdoors than to buy new every year.
Get new decorations on the cheap
If you’re a little short on decorations, we get it. They might deteriorate, break, or look outdated, but you can get new décor to refresh your home’s Halloween atmosphere. You can find great decorations for less outside of regular stores and save in the meantime if you shop in this way:
- Dollar stores
Dollar stores can be treasure troves of decorations that are easy on the wallet. Be on the lookout for spider webs, masks and hats, streamers, Halloween-themed tablecloths and icing for a tasty treat.
- Garage sales and thrift stores
Look for garage sales in your community and the nearby neighborhoods, as you might find just the décor you were looking for. Similarly, second-hand stores frequently carry Halloween decorations at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a regular store.
DIY your Halloween décor
If skill and time are on your side, you can personalize your décor by making it yourself. There are simple projects you can do that can impress your guests, whether they’re trick-or-treaters or friendly ghosts – gasp! Check out these Halloween DIY decorations for a little bit of inspiration.
Shop for pumpkins last
You can’t really spell “jack-o-lantern” without pumpkins, right? Technically, you can, but there’s no Halloween without the big round vegetable that’s so versatile décorwise. Buy your pumpkins a day or two before the holiday, as you might get themt at a discount at your local grocery store. Besides, you won’t run the risk of them going bad before the big day. To make the most it, you can cook them after Halloween is over. Add pumpkin puree to pasta or bake the seeds to enjoy later as a snack.
How to save on Halloween greeting cards
If you’re wondering whether anyone is still sending those Halloween cards every year, the answer is “yes.” In 2023, Americans spent $500M on Halloween greeting cards, a little lower than in 2022. It seems someone is spending their money on this type of item. You can keep the tradition alive, but instead of buying them, you can make them yourselves. Involve your children in this project – the cards are sure to cheer up your family and friends’ mailboxes with some frightfully endearing creations.
Look out for free activities
Check out your community bulletin or newsletter for any Halloween events that are free or more affordable. Local libraries, churches and more might do trunk or treats, story time and craft activities during October. A fall festival, pumpkin patch, corn maze or community movie time can be a scary and cheap good time!
Create new traditions that don’t cost much
You can always enjoy a quiet night in away from all the loud Halloween hubbub. You can set the tone with spooky music, candles all over the home and simply enjoy a scary movie night in. Wear your favorite costume and don’t forget to make ghoulish treats to enjoy the evening!
Start planning for next year’s Halloween
The day after one Halloween ends, another one begins. Be ghoulishly smart about your budget and start looking for sales on decorations and costumes as they start to be on sale after the scary holiday ends. You can stock up on non-perishables for next year at a considerable discount.
This year, let the specter of Halloween approaching be scary to you and your family and friends alone, but not to your wallet. You can enjoy the thrill of ghouls, vampires and more haunting the streets however you see fit – whether you go all out with the décor, costume picking or enjoying trick-or-treating and Halloween events or simply choose to stay in – with a few tricks up your sleeve to help you be mindful of your budget.
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