Halloween is going to be big this year, but not as big as 2023. According to the National Retail Federation, projected 2024 spending is 11.6B, down 5 percent from last year’s whopping 12.2B. This year’s projection is still higher than 2022’s record of 10.6B. 72 percent of us will celebrate, spending an average of $104 per person.
If the spooky holiday is your jam, here are 8 ways to save money on Halloween so you don’t break the bank.
Consider Swapping
Because costumes are only worn a handful of times (or once), they are usually in like-new condition. You can organize a swap with friends and classmates or use a platform like Facebook to cast a wider net. Someone in my local Facebook group posted a swap thread, and in a matter of days, there were almost 400 comments. That’s a lot of costumes up for grabs!
Try thrift stores
Swing by your local second-hand shop or Goodwill to check out their selection of gently used costumes. There will be lots. And don’t forget to take a peek at the formalwear section where you can find secondhand gowns, suits, and tuxedos, which can be used for a whole host of creepy characters.
Hit the Halloween sales
Check out your favorite deal site for discounts or cashback opportunities. Doing this before you shop can help guide where to make your Halloween purchases. For example, if you find a 20 percent off coupon for Spirit Halloween, but no coupon for Party City, see what you can find at Spirit Halloween!
DIY decor
Sure, you can buy beautiful Halloween decor, or you can head to a crafting store like Michael’s and pick up the fixings for some fun, family-friendly Halloween crafts! You and your kids will exercise your creativity and have a great time making decorative items that can be reused year after year. To support trick-or-treaters with food sensitivities, consider making a teal pumpkin to indicate that your treats are safe.
DIY Costumes
Think about creative uses for what you already have on hand. After all, last year’s Harry Potter cape can be re-purposed into a vampire cape with minimal effort. You probably have black clothes to wear underneath, so all you need are some fangs and face makeup.
If you need inspiration, Google “Best DIY Halloween Costumes.” You’ll be blown away by how many great ideas there are that are easily doable, regardless of your skill level.
Buy in bulk
If you get a lot of trick-or-treaters at your house or if you’re hosting a Halloween bash, buying giant bags of candy and snacks at your wholesale club will save you a ton.
Pro tip: Warehouse stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Costco will also have budget-friendly costumes and decor items.
Throwing a bash?
Hosting a party doesn’t have to be expensive. First, there’s no need to go high-end on the decor and serving items. Try Oriental Trading or the dollar store. for inexpensive options. Also, just because you’re hosting, doesn’t mean you have to foot the entire bill. If all your guests contribute a dish and bring a bottle of something festive to drink, hosting can be relatively budget-friendly.
Wait
The closer we get to Halloween, the more you’ll save on costumes, decor, and candy. The selection will be thinner, but the prices will be significantly lower. And if you wait until after Halloween (if your Reese’s chocolate peanut butter pumpkin craving is not yet satisfied, for example), everything Halloween-themed will be discounted to Clearance levels.
