With Halloween just around the corner, kids will be getting excited at the thought of wearing their favourite costume and going on a night of trick-or-treating. However, it can get quite spooky thinking about all the money you might need to spend on a new costume, decorations and all the sweet treats. Figuring it out doesn’t need to be frightening – we’ve pulled together our top money-saving tips to help you enjoy Halloween with the kids on a budget.
1. Get creative with costumes
Buying a brand new costume can be costly, especially if it’s only used for one night of the year. Ask friends and family if they have any costumes you could borrow, or even swap some of your old costumes with theirs. That way your kids can get a fresh frightening look without you having to break the bank.
There are also a ton of DIY costume ideas that can be done cheaply. Whether it’s creating a mysterious mummy with some bandages or a spooky skeleton with black clothes and white cardboard cutouts, the only thing that can stop you here is your imagination. Have a rummage around the house and see what you can create. Check out our Instagram post for more budget-friendly DIY costume ideas.
If you do decide to go down the route of buying a costume, look on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Vinted, as people often wear a costume once and then want something new the year after. It might take a bit of searching but there are often plenty of choices at a fraction of the usual price. For any last minute shoppers, it’s also worth keeping an eye out at your local stores, as many reduce the price of their costumes in the last few days leading up to Halloween.
2. DIY Decorations
Setting the scene for Halloween sounds expensive, but some of the best decorations can be made with things you already have in your house. Sticking with the DIY theme, there are lots of cheap options to turn your place into a fun haunted house.
You could turn cotton pads into creepy cobwebs, hang up old sheets to make a set of ‘ghosts’, or use black bin bags and cardboard to create your very own bat cave. Get the kids on board by turning the decoration making into a fun activity and see what bloodcurdling creations you can all make.
3. Avoid branded sweets
Another cost at Halloween is handing over sweets to the children who take part in trick-or-treat activities. While this is all good fun, having tens of children turn up at your door expecting sweets can be very expensive. That is why it’s good to think in advance how you’re going to supply all the sweet treats.
The trick is to steer clear from the branded and Halloween-themed sweets. The branded ones can start to get expensive, especially if you’re buying multiple packs for all the visitors you’re expecting. Choosing the cheaper non-branded alternatives will help you to make some savings and ultimately the kids are more interested in filling their bags and buckets on the night!
4. Make your own eerie event
Not all Halloween activities need to cost money. People often go straight for a themed party, and while they are great fun for the kids, they can quickly get pricey if a lot of people are coming. Have a think if there are any other activities you could do that are equally as spooktacular but will also help you to save money.
Some ideas include:
With a bit of creativity you can have a spook-tacular Halloween celebration without breaking the bank. Use our money-saving tips to embrace the DIY spirit, search around for bargains and make the most of budget-friendly options. Remember, it’s not about how much you spend, but the memories you create with family and friends. Happy haunting!