Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and gobbles, trick or treat and smelly feet! Yes, Halloween will be upon us in no time! For our family, Halloween is the kick-off to the rest of the holiday season. As for most families, the holidays and spending money go hand in hand. However, finding ways to save money and be frugal just takes a little creativity and planning for the fun and creepy Halloween holiday!
Besides Christmas, Halloween is the most popular holiday to decorate for, it can set the creepy, scary or fun mood of the holiday. Here are some simple tips to keep the costs low.
Decorations
Reuse- This is my simplest tip to save money on decorations. Keep the decorations you have that are storable from year to year. When storing the decorations make sure you carefully place the items in a storage container so when decorating the next year all of the contents are in perfect condition.
DIY- This is the hottest trend for everything from clothing to food. With sites like Pinterest and YouTube it is no wonder! You don’t have to have a crafting bone in your body to follow the step by step tutorials provided. If you want to add to the stored decorations, then try some DIY decorations.
Use Coupons- You are probably going to need supplies, even for those DIY projects, so utilize coupons for craft stores and discounted buyout stores.
Two for the Price of one- One of the ways we save on decorations is to use items that are good for Fall, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. Pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, and Indian corn are some items that can be used for all seasons outside. Inside decorate with leaves, pumpkins, earth tone colors, and add some Halloween specific decorations during the month of October.
Shop after Halloween Clearance- Most stores will clearance Halloween decorations after the 31st. Shop during this time for next year and store the items properly. Remember though, even buying items on clearance can add up so set a budget and take cash!
The next big ticket item for Halloween is the Costume. Remember, you may only wear the costume three or four times, and that is if you pass it down from child to child. So, many times the actual costume is not as important as the added makeup and props.
Costumes
Use what you have- Everyone can find items in their closets to dress up like a princess or a pirate! You can get very creative:
• Dress up as someone famous: A baseball player, president, actor, ect
• Relive the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s : neon clothing, poodle skirts, leather jackets, poufy hair
• A white sheet with the eyes cut out never gets old!
Shop thrift stores or consignment shops- Most 2nd hand stores will have a section for costumes during the Halloween season. If you have to buy before Halloween this option may be best. When shopping for a used costume make sure you are not overpaying. Used costumes should cost about 60-75% less than retail value.
Buy after Halloween: Costume clearance after Halloween is the BEST time to get a new costume. Last year I was able to snag my boy’s costumes for $3.88 each (they will be going as Batman and Robin). Like always, when shopping for clothing ahead of time, it is best to buy a size or two bigger. Costumes are relatively easy to alter, so buying big is the best option.
Organize a Costume Swap- Clothing swaps are becoming popular and would be a great play date or mom’s night out. Having a costume swap, not only lets you get a “new” costume but can help rid out some old ones!
What is Halloween without trick or treat? I know many years I would have liked to turn off all the lights and hide in the basement when I looked at how much I spent on candy! If hiding is not an option for you, here are some ways to help save on goodies to hand out for trick or treaters.
Don’t Hand Out Candy- It is really okay to hand out an alternative to pricey candy! Last year I found a great deal on small bagged pretzels and skipped the candy all together. Here are some other ideas:
• Juice boxes
• Coloring books/crayons
• Glow in the dark bracelets
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Fruit snacks or other small bagged treats
• Stickers or temporary tattoos
Buy Cheaper Candy- We all want to be the house that hands out full size Hershey bars, but in reality that is not cost effective for most families. If you want to hand candy out, but not spend a mint, steer clear of popular brand names like Hershey’s and Mars. You will get more bang for your buck buying item like dum-dums, sugar babies, or sweet tarts.
Hand out the items- I always loved when I went to a house that left a basket of candy out for you take what you please. I was never too greedy but most children see this as an opportunity to fill their bags with goodies. Being present when it comes to handing out candy will help control how much each child gets and will also help you gauge how much candy you need for the future.
Save up reward points- My last tip is for anyone that utilizes drugstore reward programs or apps like Saving Star. If you would like to get the more expensive candy, save up your reward points from stores and combine in-store sales with coupons. You can get candy for around $1.50 or less a bag when you shop smart.
Remember the cost of Halloween does not have to be a scare, shop smart and beware!
