Halloween is upon us! Candy, costumes, and decorations can really add up if you let them. Here are 13 Frugal Halloween tips to let you enjoy the season without scaring your wallet.
Frugal Tip #1- Decorate with Nature
Everyone knows about carving pumpkins to decorate your front porch, but you can also use un-gutted pumpkins to decorate your home throughout the entire fall season.
Collect leaves, nuts, or pinecones from your yard or on a neighborhood walk. Glue them on a ring to make a wreath. Sprinkle them on a table. Or hang them from the ceiling.
The best part of natural decorations is that they’re often free or cheap. And they require no year-round storage. Just throw them in the compost bin when you’re done!
Frugal Tip #2- Make Your Own Decorations- Kindergarten Style
Construction paper, glue, markers, and tape can do wonders in decorating a room.
Print out or trace some designs. Make paper Jack-o-Lanterns. Toilet paper ghosts, or a smashed witch with black paper.
Get creative and let your inner kindergartner out!
Frugal Tip #3- Make Your Own Costumes With Accessories and Regular Clothes
My kids hate the itchy feeling of most commercial costumes. The polyester material and crooked velcro are just annoying.
Instead of purchasing a $25 pre-made costume that they’ll wear for one night and then never use again, we prefer to find awesome accessories and pair them with regular clothes.
My son, Pinto Bean, wanted to be a Ninjago Ninja last year. We found a ninja sword, made awesome sashes from fabric, and threw them over black sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
Jelly Bean, our daughter, wants to be a fairy this year. She found a pair of wings we used for a school play a few years back, grabbed a tutu and body suit from dance class, and created a sparkly wand.
Play around with what you can make. It costs less and is way more comfortable to spend the night in. Plus they can use it again and again if they want.
Frugal Tip #4- Shop Thrift Stores or Free Groups
If you don’t want to put in the work of creating your own costumes or decorations, take advantage of used instead of buying new.
Thrift stores usually have a huge variety of holiday goods. And for less than half the retail price. Or check out local Free Trade groups on Facebook. Meet up with other people in your city to get used decorations or costumes for free or super low cost.
Frugal Tip #5- Host a Halloween Movie Potluck Party
Everyone loves a Halloween party, but coming up with cute snacks and activities for everyone can add up quickly both financially and mentally.
Instead, have a potluck! Invite guests to bring their favorite spooky dish and/or activity and have the host supply the movie, and a snack or two.
Frugal Tip #6- Take Advantage of Halloween Coupon Books
Every year, restaurants like Mcdonald’s and Taco Bell put out coupon books for Halloween. They often cost a few dollars and have coupons worth at least twice as much inside. You can give the coupons out to trick-or-treaters.
BUT, you can also take advantage of the discount and stock up on a few extra books for yourself if you enjoy these restaurants.
It’s a great way to save on eating out. Just make sure to check the expiration dates to ensure you will actually be able to use them all before they expire.
Frugal Tip #7- Work With Local Restaurants to Create Trick-or-Treat Handouts
I once read a story about a man who worked directly with his local ice cream shop to give out awesome trick-or-treat goodies.
He offered to purchase 50+ kid scoop coupons for just over the shop’s wholesale cost.
Trick-or-Treaters got awesome treats, he got a good price, and the ice cream shop got great advertising. Kids don’t normally shop alone, so their parents purchased their own goodies at full price.
I call that a win-win-win!
See if you can work out a “sweet” deal like that with your local ice cream, candy, or bakery shop.
Frugal Tip #8- Just Say NO to Too Much Partying
I love taking the kids to all the things: Halloween parties, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, all the stuff! But if you say yes to EVERYTHING, you are very likely to burn out.
One year, we went to at least 1 Halloween party every week in October along with the pumpkin patch, craft parties, and more. It was super fun but by week 3 we were exhausted. We were sick of Halloween before Halloween even came around.
Be protective of your wallet and your calendar. Pick and choose your holiday events carefully and only participate in what you really want to. (Treat Yourself Like a Kid)
Frugal Tip #9- Do A Treasure Hunt
During the pandemic, Trick or Treating was out. But of course, the kids still wanted to do Halloween. So I created a Halloween treasure hunt for them and some close friends.
I purchased just the candies they like. (Only the good stuff) Typed out clues. And put paper bags of candy and clues all around our condo building.
The kids dressed up with a few friends and they spent almost an hour running around collecting candy and using their brains. They loved it! And I didn’t have to traipse all over the neighborhood or sort through mystery stranger candy.
Frugal Tip #10- Don’t Buy Candy If You’re Taking Your Kids Trick-or-Treating
This may feel rather Grinchy (Grinch Stole Halloween?) but if you’re going to be out most of the night trick-or-treating with your kids, skip buying more candy to hand out.
Every time we purchase candy to hand out AND take the kids trick or treating, it just feels like a huge waste. We always have a ton of leftover candy that actually ends up going bad in a few months anyways.
I guess this totally depends on how much your family enjoys candy. But personally, I’d rather just hide in the dark after trick-or-treating and purchase our favorite candies on sale on November 1st.
Frugal Tip #11- Hit Up Those November 1st Candy Sales
Everyone knows, the candy aisle goes on sale on November 1st! Take advantage and stock up on your favorites.
For the last few years, I have gone on November 1st to get large bags of my kids’ favorite candies. I give it to them for Christmas instead of buying overpriced reindeer-shaped versions to stuff their stockings with. Saves money and they still get their favorites. (Happy Holidays, Happy Wallet)
Frugal Tip #12- Stock Up On Clearance Halloween Themed Snacks
Bat-shaped pretzels taste the same as stick shaped. Pumpkin-shaped fruit snacks taste the same as Scooby Doo.
Take advantage of Halloween-themed snacks on clearance on November 1st and fill up those lunchboxes for less.
Frugal Tip #13- Purchase New Halloween Decor on November 1st for Next Year
If you’ve had your eye on a specific decoration but just can’t bring yourself to spend that much, wait until November 1st.
Stores don’t want to put away Holiday stock and designs from this year, they will be “old” by next year. Take advantage of that and pick up holiday decor and accessories on clearance.
My kids love to play with face paint throughout the year at birthday parties or just because. Every November, I stock up on clearance Halloween makeup for 50%+ off. It ensures I can always be the “fun mom” without breaking the bank.
Wrap- Up
Halloween is our second favorite time of the year! The pumpkin patch, decorations, movies, and goodies are so much fun! But it can be super spooky on your budget if you’re not careful.
- Set a budget
- Look for deals
- Have fun!
Happy Halloween!
What money-saving tips do you have for this spooky time of year? Leave a comment below.
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