When you pull cardigans out of storage and walk through reddening leaves, you know fall holidays are approaching–namely, Halloween. But those carefully-constructed costumes and spooky room decor costs add up. For students preparing for college’s favorite fall festivity, here are some tips for saving money this Halloween.
As with any major or minor expense, creating a budget organizes your costs into clear sections and helps you avoid impulse buying. Try to think about what you will actually need for Halloween and the days surrounding the holiday. If you plan to host a Halloween party, for example, consider the costs that will come with the event (decorations, food and drink, transportation to stores) before spending the majority of your budget on a costume.
While it can be tempting to deck your living space out in light-up skeletons, talking gravestones and king size Hershey bars, sometimes a few simple items will do the trick. Guests will still enjoy some spooky string lights and cobwebs and won’t know that they cost less than $20 together. Ideally, the decorations portion of your budget will be one of the least expensive sections.
As one of the biggest college events of the year, commemorating the weekend’s adventures with a photo-album’s worth of pictures may feel like a necessity. However, try to stick with cameras you already have as opposed to purchasing a disposable camera. The camera’s photos may turn out fuzzy if you do not have experience with the device and are more expensive than you might expect to be developed. While passing around a disposable camera can bring the group together, unless this is one of your biggest hobbies, sticking with a camera you already own will help with saving money this Halloween.
Additionally, before purchasing an element of your costume, consider how much use you will actually get out of the piece. While white go-go boots could be paired with a sundress throughout the fall, that feathery masquerade mask will probably sit in your drawer starting November 1st.
Many turn to Pinterest or fashion blogs when they deplete their own costume-idea creativity. While these sites often provide clever ideas, one issue you may run into is assuming you need to recreate the entire inspiration image. By replicating every last detail of a costume, your budget will dwindle rapidly as even cheap accessories may come with shipping costs. Before you buy the exact sequined bell bottoms a blog advertises, consider whether you have pants that fit the vibe of the costume already.
In a similar vein, make sure to sift through your own closet before making purchases. In fact, looking through your own closet should be your starting point. Consider how staple items (a colored t-shirt or denim shorts) could create a character-inspired look with a couple accessories. Recreate Elle Woods’ Harvard-core by dressing in all pink. Purchase a horned headband and that mini red dress becomes a devil costume. Sure, these costumes are by no means inventive, but they will allow for saving money this Halloween.
Though many attempt to shop sustainably, Halloween can derail eco-friendly practices as people turn to Amazon for their costumes. While Amazon’s collection of random accessories and garments can often complete any ensemble, for the most part, supporting the company is not worth it. Amazon products may break during the holiday if they are made of low-quality materials, and you can avoid buying an item that fits improperly by shopping in-person. Plus, you can save money on shipping costs.
Don’t forget to check out your local thrift store this Halloween. By skipping the Uber ride to a Halloween store that inflates its prices, you can find a costume for a bargain price. Just seeing some of the forgotten items hanging on clothing racks may even provide costume inspiration. And if you now how to craft or up-cycle, you can save money by tailoring a garment to fit your needs.
While passing pumpkin patches on a hayride is the quintessential fall activity, if saving money this Halloween better suits your budget, opt for a grocery store pumpkin instead. Pumpkin patches know that people flock to their grounds with the intent of splurging on all things fall–apple cider donuts, hot cider and yes, pumpkins. Additionally, for the majority of people, your local grocery store is much closer than the nearest pumpkin patch, which saves you money on gas or other transportation costs.
If you intend to have a pumpkin as your party’s centerpiece, consider how you might want to decorate it. Though carving is the traditional move, painting your pumpkin with Halloween designs (like purple bats and black cats) can be an unexpected alternative. Painted pumpkins also tend to last longer than carved ones, saving you a second grocery run. But if Jack-o’-lanterns must be in attendance, make sure to use the whole pumpkin. Roasted pumpkin seeds and a homemade pumpkin dessert would both be lovely snacks.
The majority of college students don’t even have any trick-or-treaters, so don’t feel the need to buy massive bags of candy. You can make homemade cookies with pantry staples that will be as much (or more) of a hit than Starbursts scattered on your table.
If you want to make a Halloween treat or snack, try to stick to a recipe with basic ingredients. Those Oreos topped with candy eyes or rainbow sprinkles are cute but will exhaust your budget. Play around with how you display the food or how you label it to save money.
One of the best tips for saving money this Halloween is to shop with your friends. Splitting bulk items among a group reduces waste and benefits everyone’s wallet. Plus, nothing gets you into the Halloween spirit more than preparing with friends.
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