Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without parties and costumes, but the downside is that these can get expensive very quickly. And with many being affected by the economy, lots of people want to save money on non-essential expenses. So in this article we’ll take a look at some easy ways to create cheap Halloween costumes for you and your kids that look great without breaking the bank.
1. Split The Costs
One way to save money at Halloween is to split the costs with friends, family or even neighbors if you know them well. This is a great idea if you’re buying Halloween supplies in bulk, as it generally works out cheaper this way. You can minimize the fuel costs associated with shopping trips by sharing a car, and if you’re buying online, you could save on postage by placing just one order for all of you. Some types of Halloween make-up (such as white face paint) can also be shared, helping to reduce costs further.
So if you know people who also want to cut costs this Halloween, don’t be shy about asking if they want to split the costs when shopping for costumes and other items. As the saying goes, “Ask and ye shall receive”!
2. Make Your Own Halloween Costume
If you’re good at making costumes then you’re at a huge advantage, as you’ll be able to put together a great looking Halloween outfit for little expense. You don’t have to be able to sew or make things from scratch either – just do a bit of digging in your closets, basement or attic, and if you’re like most people, you’ll find lots of old clothes, which can be combined to make a great costume for cheap.
And if you’re clutter-phobic and don’t have any old stuff lying around, don’t be afraid to ask people you know (older people in particular might have lots of vintage items that make perfect Halloween costumes), and you can also check out local charity stores, which can be a treasure trove of low cost gems.
3. Accessorize
There’s more to a Halloween fancy dress than just the clothing, yet it is usually the clothing part that costs the most. If money is tight, try just getting a basic costume (or making your own as suggested), then use a few carefully chosen accessories to really ramp it up. Some spooky make-up, a pair of scary Halloween contact lenses or a ghoulish mask might be all you need to turn a cheap, mediocre costume into something special.
4. Buy Online
Buying a Halloween costume online is one of the best ways to save money, as online retailers typically have lower overheads than brick and mortar stores, so they can pass the savings onto you, the customer. They also tend to offer a much wider variety, since space restrictions are less of an issue. So if you’ve got internet access and a credit card, start your search for Halloween clothes on the web, and you might be surprised at how much money you can save. Don’t forget to check out eBay too, where you can get some fantastic bargains at auction or through the sellers’ shops.
Some retailers (such as Amazon) also offer free postage if you spend over a certain amount (which isn’t always very much), and buying online also means you don’t have the hassle of dealing with crowds of other shoppers. What could be better than shopping from the comfort of your own sofa and saving money too?
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