Boo! Halloween is just around the corner. Your little ones are probably bursting with costume ideas that they hope to sport as they parade door-to-door collecting sweet treats.
Dressing up is fun for kids, and it can also be a blast for parents as they piece together adorable outfits for the funniest photo-ops, capturing cherished memories that will last a lifetime. However, it can also be stressful when costume prices seem to rise more and more each year.
Take the hassle out of the high prices with these tips for saving money on Halloween costumes!
Shop Goodwill this Halloween
Shop your local Goodwill this Halloween season for scary low prices on costume, accessories and home décor!
Your local Goodwill offers deep discounts on everything you need this Halloween season. Shopping at Goodwill saves your family money and helps the community.
Your support of Goodwill stores supports Goodwill outreach programs that serve the needs of thousands of individuals and families right here in our community.
Make Goodwill your one-stop-shop for your family’s Halloween this year. It’s SCARY just how much you will save at Goodwill!
5 Tips for Saving Money on Halloween Costumes
Tip #1 – Host a Neighborhood/friend Costume Swap
This idea is so simple. When you are done with a Halloween costume, you are usually done with it, unless a younger sibling could use it (see Tip #3). Next year it will not fit your growing child anymore anyway, and it just goes in a box in the basement. So why not offer it up to a neighbor or friend?
Our neighborhood hosts a costume exchange! Everyone brings old costumes, school play wardrobes, church play outfits, etc. to someone’s house and we all exchange. It does not work out perfectly each year since kids are all different sizes, but it often works out that someone can use one of your old costumes and you find an ideal outfit for your little one.
Tip #2 – Visit a thrift store or local consignment sale
Not only do these stores often have a variety of gently used costumes to choose from, but they often have costumes that still have the original tags on them! It will allow your child to still look through a selection of costumes in their size, but save you money in the long run.
Also, if you have part of a costume, this is another great spot to find additional items. Do you only need a train hat? Are you searching for black boots to complete an ensemble? Thrift stores are a great place to pick up these items.
Stretch your Dollar even further at Goodwill
At Goodwill, you can find Halloween costumes, accessories, wigs, makeup and home décor and shoppers typically save 50-90% off big box Halloween stores!
Tip #3 – Reuse costumes from older siblings/cousins
Just because your child has worn a costume, does not mean you can’t use it again. Often, younger siblings want to emulate their older brother or sister, and this is a wonderful way to let them do it. Plus, if you have the generic costume, the little one can still make it their own. You can swap out a wig or find a different pair of shoes to make an old costume feel like new.
Tip # 4 – Make it yourself
Some of the most memorable and cherished costumes are made from the heart! You do not have to be the best seamstress or the craftiest parent to create something your child will love. Take a look at Pinterest for a few ideas. Old boxes can transform into a classic choo-choo train for your little conductor and that make-up you never used can become adorable face paint.
Tip # 5 – Sell an Old Costume
Since last year’s costume is only gently used, consider selling it! Facebook groups often offer a place to sell items. Someone in your area might be looking to save on a popular style that you used last year. They will find exactly what they are looking for at a discounted price, and you will make a few extra dollars to put toward this year’s attire. Of course, you can also donating old costumes to Goodwill.
When you look back at Halloween you will remember the excitement of racing your toddler in the wagon through the neighborhood or the adorable photo you snapped of your youngest sneaking candy out of her brother’s candy bucket. In the long run it will not matter how much you spent on the costume.
Hopefully some of these ideas take the pressure off of the expense and put it back on the experience.
We'd love to her your tips too! If you have any additional money saving tips to share please leave a comment below. Thanks!
