Spooky Scary… Bank account? Halloween budgeting tips!
Nothing gives me a bigger fright than checking my bank account and seeing I’ve overspent on a celebration I’m excited about… I am an avid fan of Halloween, so I like going all out on coordinating outfits with friends, home decorations and Halloween events. Though, you can do all of this on a budget! Here are some tips I’m keeping in mind before making impulse purchases…
Start early!
- Start looking a month in advance! Whether it be costumes, decorations, or even event tickets; be organized and confirm your plans early to get things at a lower price.
Costumes
Costumes are a highly integral part to Halloween. Personally, planning and coordinating an outfit is the part of Halloween I look forward most to! Here are some tips I’ve collated over the years:
- Reuse and recycle
- Shop second-hand: Look for costumes in your local charity shops (I can confirm I’ve seen many Halloween costumes in charity shops nearing Halloween, all of which are very worth the price); look on online marketplaces such as Vinted or Depop.
- Revamp your (old) clothes: Want to be a jar of peanut butter? You don’t need to buy a whole outfit for the look. Simply find a brown shirt, stick some paper on it; maybe find a headband and draw a peanut to stick on it. Now, this lacklustre idea has come off the top of my head, but I’m sure you’ll put a lot more love and thought into the outfit of your choice. With the power of TikTok and Pinterest, there are so many creative DIY outfits that you can take inspiration from!
- Buy clothes that you can wear outside of Halloween
- Whilst it is understandable certain items or accessories are unique to a character, in terms of the clothes, try to look for items that you could wear on a daily basis. Or, even on separate ‘fancy’ occasions.
Decorations
Decorations aren’t as integral for the Halloween occasion, though I know lots of people love to decorate their homes for that spooky mood. Surprisingly, some really cool decorations can be easily made with things in your house (and things you would’ve discarded otherwise!). Instead of prepping for a big shop around a party store, try looking in cabinets first J
Bring out those crafty DIY skills
- Again, there are so many budget-friendly decoration ideas on platforms such as Pinterest and TikTok. I’ve linked a few I will be attempting this Halloween.
Bin bag spider webs: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/29906785015137917/
Use a glove to make hand ice cubes for some fruit punch or cocktail: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/30399366222355012/
Book page ghost garland: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/79446380918900828/
Ghost marshmallows! Perfect for guests: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/215750638390032625/
Toilet roll bats: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/29906785015137917/
Events
Whether it be an external Halloween event you’re planning on going to, or just inviting some friends over to watch a disturbing movie; make sure to plan things in advance. Not only is this helpful for the budget (last minute purchases often require overspending out of convenience); it’s helpful for your calendar and time management as well. Make sure to gather those plans early!
Conclusions
Although Halloween may seem daunting for the wallet, there are many ways you can have fun with it on a budget! Try to plan everything in advance to avoid last minute purchases. I hope everyone has a fun and spooky Halloween!!
