Halloween is coming in a matter of days. For a lot of parents it's another expense: our kids need new costumes just to be top-notch for this year's Halloween. See below how you could save and not spend too much on costumes for your kids. We will start with the low-hanging fruit and move on to more sophisticated ways to save on costumes.
DYI Costumes
First, you might want to use the items you already own.
DYI costumes are the best savers. Use what you already have at your place: from clothing to makeup. There are plenty of chances that your home has all the needed pieces and you will just have to add them all up in a nice DYI costume for this Halloween. Explore your kids' closets and put your imagination to work when dealing with castoffs.
Here are some DYI Halloween costume ideas to get your imagination working:
Borrow Costume from Friends
Call on your friends and swap costumes with them.
As a parent I know how painful it is to buy a new costume for Halloween. The kids wear it just once before outgrowing it. What a waste! At the same time, I bet you know a bunch of parents who feel the same way and who would be happy to swap and lend costumes. Well, that's usually on condition the costumes are kept in good condition. I usually give a good cleaning and washing to borrowed costumes - a night of running from house to house does have a toll on any Halloween costume. And I do value the relationships with the other parents.
Dress-up Instead of Costume
If you still want to go for a bought-at-my-retailer costume, then go for a "dress-up" rather a "costume". Leave the Halloween section with $50-$60 costumes and head to the toy section where you will find regular costumes for half the Halloween price. A princess dress in the dress-up section could be as low as $20.
Forget about Masks
Masks are cool, they are scary, and... they are expensive and dangerous! There have been plenty of reports warning that masks obstruct both vision and breathing in kids. Your kids' safety during their trick-o-treating should be your top priority. Numerous studies recommend to avoid masks in kids. Opt for face paint instead of an expensive mask.
Plan in Advance
If you plan to buy a costume, let's start with planning. Before heading out to the store to buy a Halloween costume for your child, be sure to carefully consider your resources and budget. Planning ahead allows you to better manage your expenses on Halloween this year.
Thrift Shops
Try thrift stores. They often offer good deals on costumes. And they usually have plenty of choices too. The prices are usually very affordable.
For instance, my daughter has been telling me what kind of costumes she wants for the last couple of months – right down to the colors. Surprise! I've found the perfect match at a local consignment shop for 80 percent less than I would pay for a new one in a retail store. The costume was in good shape.
Shop at your Dollar Store
If you use your local Dollarama for Halloween decorations only, you may probably find an exciting costume there too. Dollar stores sell costume supplies, such as masks, wigs, makeup kits, and fake blood, which can be used to create realistic effects for your character. They are usually priced lower than their traditional counterparts.
Use Coupons
While most of us think about using our couponing skills at the grocery stores, it may not come to mind when it comes to buying costumes. However, stores that specialize in costumes often give out discounts. To get an idea of where to look, just type in your favorite retailer plus the words “coupon” or "promo code".
Last-minute Buys
If you're looking for cheap Halloween Costume ideas, buy them the day BEFORE Halloween. This trick works because you won't be able to get exactly what you want at the last minute. Instead, you'll have to choose from the leftover stock.
Get Next Year’s Costume This Year
While you're busy sorting through the costume for this Halloween, pick up anything you or your kids might need for next season. This tactic is also trickier because you or your children may decide they don't want to wear certain clothes next season. But occasionally, children get attached to their ideas for a long time!
Buy Online
If you're looking for a cheap way to buy a secondhand costume, consider checking out online resales websites like eBay. Also check the Facebook marketplace. You may be surprised by what you find!
Happy scary and safe Halloween!