How to Save on Halloween Costumes
There’s nothing more fun than dressing up for Halloween. However, if the prices of ready-made costumes spook you more than the boogeyman hiding under your bed then this is for you! Today, we’ll be talking about ways to save on costumes for the whole family. Let’s get started!
Join a Costume Swap
Gather your friends who also have kids to have a costume swap. Trading costumes with each other isn’t just a fun way to get together but will also help you save money on costumes. You’ll also be helping each other out since kids outgrow costumes (figuratively and literally) fairly quickly.
Use Costumes You Already Have
Shop your closet or dress-up box for costume ideas this year. Gather your kids and your hubby and look for costumes from recitals or use sports uniforms you already have lying around. You can wear them as is or transform them into other costumes with the help of some more fabric scraps, paint, and even accessories.
Don’t limit yourself to existing costumes though. With the help of a little sprinkling of imagination, anything in your closet can become a Halloween costume. Do you have pearls and a black dress lying around? Dress your little girl as Holly Golightly.
Visit Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops
Thrift stores and consignment shops can be a wonderland of costumes for everyone in your family. You’ll most likely find a whole rack of costumes that everybody will like. The best part about shopping in these stores is that you will only spend a fraction of the original price. It wouldn’t be difficult to find costumes for under $10.
DIY It
You can turn Halloween into a craft fest at home too! If you have a sewing machine and some fabrics lying around, you can put your skills to good use this year and make costumes for you and your kids. There are tons of free patterns online that you can use. Your kids can also help put design elements on your costumes.
If sewing is not your best suit, don’t worry because you can still make your own costumes from different things you can find at home. Even random items you find in the kitchen can be transformed into an awesome costume!
Sell Old Costumes
You can also sell old costumes from previous Halloweens to make a little extra money to add to your costume budget this year. What’s more, you can also help out somebody else who might be looking for a tiger or ballerina costume you already have at home.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
If you really must spend on Halloween costumes, take the route of the wise and set a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend on costumes that you and your family will only wear for one night this year.
If you have a budget and you plan on sticking to it, you’re less likely to pick-up that life-like zombie mask or those sparkly red shoes that will throw you off-budget. It will also help if you bring a shopping list with you so you don’t stray too far from your intended costume allocation.
Limit Options for Kids
Kids can get a little overzealous when it comes to their costumes which can mean trouble for your wallet. If your child wants a costume that might be on the expensive side, suggest something else they can be instead.
Shop Online
When it comes to tricky Halloween costumes, online shopping is your best friend. You can find all sorts of options on eBay, Craigslist, PennySaverUSA, and other online classified ads.
Finally
Don’t let the steep price of Halloween costumes suck the life out of your wallet like a vampire. Whether you and your family want to look like monsters, enchanting elves, and fairies, or something pun-ny and fun for the holidays, remember that you don’t have to spend a frighteningly huge amount of money to have fun.
What are your spook-tacular tips for saving up on Halloween? Feel free to share them in the comment section below!