Halloween, the time for costumes, candy, and creativity, is just around the corner. While it’s undoubtedly a fun holiday, it can also be financially draining if you’re not careful. Between costumes, decorations, and sweet treats, the costs can add up frighteningly fast.
But fear not! In this post, we’ll unveil 17 spookily simple ways to save money on Halloween so you can enjoy the festivities without emptying your wallet.
1) Shop Around for Candy
Candy is a Halloween staple, and it’s easy to get carried away when selecting treats for trick-or-treaters. One of the simplest ways to save money on Halloween candy is to shop around and compare prices.
Don’t just grab the first bag you see at your local grocery store. Check out different retailers, both online and in-store, to find the best deals.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on store flyers and digital promotions in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Many stores offer discounts and special offers on candy to attract customers. Take advantage of these deals to score some sweet savings.
2) Try Buying Candy in Bulk
Buying candy in bulk can be significantly cheaper per unit than purchasing individual bags. Warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club often offer substantial discounts on large quantities of candy, which can be a real money-saver if you have a lot of trick-or-treaters or plan to host a Halloween party.
Additionally, consider splitting the cost and candy assortment with friends or neighbors. This way, you can still provide variety without breaking the bank. Just make sure to store the bulk candy in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh until Halloween night.
3) Get Halloween Decor from the Dollar Store
Decorating your home for Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Your local dollar store is one of the best places to find budget-friendly Halloween decorations.
Dollar stores often stock a wide range of spooky items, including faux cobwebs, plastic skeletons, and creepy candles, all at incredibly low prices.
You can also get creative and make your own decorations. DIY Halloween crafts are cost-effective and can be a fantastic way to involve the whole family in the holiday preparations. Pinterest and other crafting websites are treasure troves of ideas for homemade Halloween decor that won’t drain your wallet.
4) Make Your Own Costumes
Store-bought Halloween costumes can be expensive, and the price only goes up for those high-quality, elaborate outfits. Instead of shelling out big bucks for costumes, consider making your own. Homemade costumes can be more creative and unique and are usually much cheaper.
Start by brainstorming costume ideas based on what you already have at home. Raid your closet and gather accessories to create the perfect costume. Thrift stores are also great places to find inexpensive clothing items that can be repurposed for Halloween costumes.
If you’re not feeling crafty, opt for simple, classic costumes requiring minimal materials. For example, a black cat costume only requires black clothing, cat ears, and some makeup – all of which can be found inexpensively.
5) Use Cashback Apps to Buy Halloween Supplies
Cashback apps and websites are a great way to save money not only on Halloween but throughout the year. These platforms offer you a percentage of your purchase price back in cash or rewards when you shop through their links or use their apps. Popular cashback apps and websites include Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey.
Before making any Halloween-related purchases, check if the items are available through a cashback app or website. You might be pleasantly surprised by the savings you can accumulate over time. Plus, many of these platforms offer special promotions and increased cashback rates during the Halloween season.
6) Use Debit or Cash Instead of Credit
It’s easy to overspend when you’re using credit cards, especially during holidays like Halloween. To stay on budget, consider using cash or your debit card for Halloween-related expenses. When you have a finite amount of money in your wallet or bank account, you’ll be more mindful of your spending and less likely to go overboard.
Create a Halloween budget in advance and withdraw the exact amount of cash you’re willing to spend on costumes, decorations, and candy. This approach can help you avoid post-Halloween credit card bills that can haunt your finances.
7) Look for Free or Low-Cost Ways to Have Fun
Halloween is all about fun and entertainment; you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. Consider these budget-friendly activities to get into the Halloween spirit:
- Attend local community events: Many communities host free or low-cost Halloween events, such as parades, pumpkin festivals, or haunted house tours. These activities provide a festive atmosphere without the high price tag.
- Host a potluck party: If you want to throw a Halloween party, make it a potluck where guests bring a dish to share. This way, the cost of providing food and drinks is spread among your friends and family.
- Organize a costume swap: Encourage friends or neighbors to exchange costumes from previous years. It’s a sustainable and economical way to refresh your Halloween look without buying new outfits.
- Watch Halloween movies at home: Instead of going to the movies, have a Halloween movie night at home with classic spooky films. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy a cozy evening without the high cinema costs.
- Visit pumpkin patches: Going to a pumpkin patch can be a fun and cost-effective outing. You can pick your own pumpkins and enjoy the seasonal ambiance, often without an admission fee.
8) Repurpose Household Items
Search your home for everyday items that can be repurposed into Halloween decorations or costume elements. For example, an old bedsheet can be transformed into a ghost costume with a few simple cuts and a marker to add spooky eyes and mouth.
Cardboard boxes can be cut into tombstone shapes, painted gray, and adorned with clever epitaphs for a homemade cemetery scene. Empty glass jars can become eerie lanterns when fitted with tea lights or glow sticks. This approach not only saves you money but also adds a touch of originality to your Halloween décor and costumes.
9) DIY Halloween Treats
Skip the expensive pre-packaged Halloween treats and get creative in the kitchen. Homemade treats like cookies, brownies, or caramel apples are cost-effective and allow you to personalize your offerings.
You can add festive decorations or even create thematic designs with icing or toppings. Plus, homemade goodies often taste better than store-bought alternatives, making them a hit for kids and adults.
10) Use Digital Coupons and Discounts
Before making any Halloween-related purchases, check online for digital coupons and discounts. Many retailers offer special promotions, such as “buy one, get one free” deals or percentage-off discounts, that can significantly reduce the cost of costumes, decorations, and candy. Apps and websites like RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and Groupon are excellent resources for finding these money-saving offers.
11) Start Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for Halloween supplies. Retailers often begin stocking Halloween items well in advance, and prices tend to be lower earlier in the season.
Shopping early gives you the advantage of finding discounts on costumes, decorations, and even candy before the demand drives prices up closer to Halloween. Plus, it allows you more time to prepare and get creative with your Halloween plans.
12) Repurpose Last Year’s Decorations
Instead of buying all new decorations every year, consider using the ones you already have and giving them a fresh look. For example, if you have plastic pumpkins, you can spray paint them with metallic or glow-in-the-dark paint for a different aesthetic.
Old string lights can be wrapped around a faux skeleton to create a spooky glow. Adding small details or embellishments to your existing decorations can transform them into something new and exciting, saving you money in the process.
13) Opt for Digital Invitations
If you’re planning a Halloween party, consider sending digital invitations instead of traditional paper ones. Numerous online invitation services offer a wide range of Halloween-themed templates that you can customize to suit your party’s theme. Going digital eliminates the cost of printing and postage, and it’s an eco-friendly option, too.
14) Limit Trick-or-Treating
If you have children, set a Halloween budget and agree on a predetermined number of houses or blocks they can visit while trick-or-treating.
This controls the costs associated with purchasing candy for giveaways and prevents an excessive amount of candy from accumulating, some of which might go to waste.
It’s a practical approach to managing Halloween expenses while still allowing your kids to enjoy the tradition.
15) Reuse and Recycle
After Halloween, carefully store costumes and decorations so they remain in good condition for future use. Reusing items from year to year can save you a significant amount of money.
When it comes to costumes, consider classic, timeless options that can be worn repeatedly or creatively repurposed into different outfits. For decorations, invest in durable, long-lasting items that won’t need frequent replacement.
16) DIY Face Paint and Makeup
Rather than buying expensive costume makeup kits, use everyday makeup products to create Halloween looks.
YouTube and other online platforms are treasure troves of makeup tutorials that guide you on how to achieve different spooky effects, from zombies to vampires and everything in between.
With a little practice and some creativity, you can achieve professional-looking makeup effects without breaking the bank.
17) DIY Halloween Games
Consider creating your own instead of renting or buying expensive Halloween-themed games for your party. Simple games like “Pin the Spider on the Web,” where blindfolded participants attempt to pin a spider onto a spiderweb, or a Halloween scavenger hunt, where guests search for hidden spooky items, can provide fun and entertainment without the high cost. Pinterest and other DIY websites offer countless ideas for creating homemade Halloween games that are both budget-friendly and enjoyable.
Final words:
Halloween should be a time of excitement and enjoyment, not financial stress. By implementing these 17 spookily simple ways to save money on Halloween, you can celebrate the holiday to the fullest without breaking the bank.
Whether it’s finding the best candy deals, getting creative with DIY decorations and costumes, or taking advantage of cashback apps, these strategies will help you enjoy Halloween without the horror of overspending.
So go ahead, embrace the spirit of Halloween and save money while you’re at it!
