Money Saving Ideas for Halloween Costumes, Decorations, and Treats

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Halloween will be here before you know it, and it can’t come soon enough according to my 4 year-old son. My wife planned early this year, and ordered his Halloween costume a couple of weeks ago online. He is really into Star Wars, so he had to have a certain storm trooper costume (actually a clone trooper I believe). Well, it came in the mail the other day, and my wife had him try it on in order to make sure it fit. I guess that was a good idea, but it got him even more fired up about Halloween, and he asks if he can wear his costume every day. He really doesn’t even like candy too much, and doesn’t eat chocolate! Anyway, it got me thinking about Halloween and how big of a holiday it is, and how much money gets spent on costumes, decorations, props, candy and other festivities. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, Americans spent an estimated 5 billion dollars on Halloween in 2006! Even with the economic problems in this country, I am sure it will be as much or more this year. Here are some ideas on making your Halloween a little less painful on your wallet.

Cheap Halloween Costumes

Shop Online – While you may be able to find a good deal around town, online shopping is a great way to get you costume at a good price.

Try CostumeDiscounters.com (Where my wife got the “clone trooper” costume) or other online retailers to find the best price.

Shop Early- Planning ahead for costumes can let you get the costume you want at the best price available. Have you ever been to a costume shop a day or two before Halloween? It is a zoo, and you will be stuck with whatever costumes they have left and guess what? Most of them are the more expensive ones as well, because people have bought up all of the cheap ones.

Make Your Own- Get creative, especially for adult costumes or for kids who don’t have to be a certain character or super hero. (It’s tough with kids of a certain age though-I know!) Another great way is to check out thrift stores, which sometimes have a costume section, as well as vintage and fancy/dress clothes you can use as part of your get up, usually at a really good price. Check out Budget 101’s list of homemade Halloween costume ideas (as well as Halloween decorations and other tips.)

Cheap Halloween Decorations and Props

Make your own- When it comes to Halloween decorations and props, making your own is the way to go. Whether you decorate the yard with headstones cut from plywood or cardboard and spray-painted grey, or stuff some old clothes to make a scarecrow, making your own decorations is a lot cheaper than buying expensive decorations from the store.

HGTV’s website has a good list of decoration (as well as costume) ideas you can make yourself.

Cheap Halloween Candy and Treats

Buy in bulk- Consider stocking up at Sam’s or Costco, or at least stock up on the bigger bags from your local discount store. (Only buy as much as you need, or you will end up eating it yourself!) There are usually coupons out around this time as well, so check you Sunday paper for them.

Buy generic- A lot of kids don’t really care what kind of candy it is. You don’t have to buy all name brand mini candy bars or other candy. Buying generic assorted bags of candy can be a lot cheaper than the major brands.

Shop early- Once again, if you are late with your candy shopping, you will be stuck buying what they have, which are usually the more expensive bags of candy. Before we had kids, I used to stop on my way home on Halloween night sometimes, and couldn’t help but feel like I was paying too much for what candy was left.

Consider homemade treats- This might not go over too well for regular trick or treaters coming to your house (due to fear, mostly), but if you are having a party or get together, consider making your own treats. Here are a few ideas for homemade Halloween treats.