{"id":16816,"date":"2024-10-25T00:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T07:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/?p=16816"},"modified":"2024-10-25T23:51:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T06:51:11","slug":"how-to-save-on-halloween-expenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/how-to-save-on-halloween-expenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Scarily Thrifty Halloween! How To Save On Costumes, Candy, D\u00e9cor And More"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s 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\u2019t want to pass up. But how much you end up spending doesn\u2019t have to give you a scare. In 2023 alone, Americans spent about $12B on Halloween<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Set a Halloween budget ahead of time<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How to save on costumes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Costumes are a Halloween must \u2014 they’re a fun way to break out of the everyday routine and enjoy the festive spirit. Here\u2019s how to get into the Halloween mood without spending a fortune on costumes:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Check your closet and your storage unit<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before rushing to the store to buy something new, raid your closet and attic for your existing costumes. It\u2019s 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\u2019re in a pinch and unsure of what to wear.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re renting self storage<\/a>, check your storage unit for any hidden gems. You might find a costume or two tucked away that could be repurposed for this year\u2019s Halloween. Old clothes, accessories, or even fabric scraps could inspire something new.<\/p>\n

And if you’re feeling crafty, take a closer look at what you’ve stored\u2014things 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<\/a> \u2014 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!<\/p>\n

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\nExtra tip: If you haven\u2019t used the service before but you\u2019re contemplating using self storage for the first time<\/a>, putting your costumes in storage is a great way to keep them until next year so that you won\u2019t have to buy new ones and keep your home uncluttered at the same time.<\/p>\n

Pick a climate-controlled unit<\/a> that has the ideal temperature and humidity conditions so that your costumes can stay in great shape. You\u2019ll be fine with a 5\u2019x5\u2019 unit<\/a>, 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<\/a> and this storage unit calculator<\/a> to help you better assess your storage needs.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Organize a costume swap<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Rent costumes<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can find costumes to rent, whether in store or online. Head to renttherunway.com<\/a> to find various costumes or rentaromper.com<\/a> for children\u2019s costumes. You won\u2019t spend as much as when buying one, and you\u2019re more likely to have a unique or different costume if you choose this option.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Buy a costume at a thrift store or a discount store<\/span><\/h3>\n

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 \u2013 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<\/a> 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\u2019 costumes come with an attractive price tag.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How to save on candy<\/span><\/h2>\n

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:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Keep track of how many trick-or-treaters you\u2019re getting<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you haven\u2019t 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\u2019 Eve to help you determine how much candy you\u2019re going to need the following year. This way, you\u2019re more likely to avoid under- or overspending on candy shopping.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>Be strategic about when you\u2019re shopping for candy<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u2019re not going to be tempted to eat \u2013 replace some of your favorite with other candy and place it in a container that\u2019s not see-through.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Shop for candy in bulk<\/span><\/h3>\n

Go to the larger retailers such as Costco or Sam\u2019s 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\u2019re thinking about buying \u2013 couponing can help reduce the overall cost of your order too.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Mix-and-match brand names and generic candy<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u2019s the brand-name candy or not.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Include fun items in the candy mix<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How to save on Halloween decorations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Decorating your home with d\u00e9cor 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:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Go easy on d\u00e9cor<\/span><\/h3>\n

Apply a minimalist approach to your Halloween d\u00e9cor 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 d\u00e9cor on the grass and some pumpkins with garland lights for a less-is-more effect. It\u2019s easier to use what you already have in terms of d\u00e9cor both indoors and outdoors than to buy new every year.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Get new decorations on the cheap<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re a little short on decorations, we get it. They might deteriorate, break, or look outdated, but you can get new d\u00e9cor to refresh your home\u2019s Halloween atmosphere. You can find great decorations for less outside of regular stores and save in the meantime if you shop in this way:<\/p>\n