Have a Frightfully Good Halloween, Even on a Budget

October 17th, 2011

Halloween celebrations will be BOOming this year, according to a recent survey conducted by The National Retail Federation. The results indicate that more people plan to dress in costume, visit a haunted house, host or attend a party, decorate their home or yard, take the children trick-or-treating, and even dress their pets this year. In fact, the NRF poll predicts that 161 million people, the highest number in their 9-year survey history, will collectively spend as much as $6.86 billion on costumes, candy, and decorations. As usual, here on Buxr we have budget-friendly tips and hot deals to help you enjoy the holiday as cheaply as possible.

Costumes

You can find lots of discounts on costumes and decorating accessories this year because many are already on sale at party supply stores, as well as mainstream stores like Meijer, Kohl’s or Macy’s. Some of the most popular costumes this year include pop idols, Captain America, pirates, Smurfs and Harry Potter. An easy way to stay up to date and still save money is to consider buying a costume from last year. The costume manufacturers make new versions every year of the most popular costumes like pirates, princesses and vampires. So if you check the clearance section first, you can save 50% off the price of this year’s version.

If you decide to make your own costumes or repurpose old ones instead, gather up coupons for arts and crafts stores, drug stores or hardware stores so you can save on items like cardboard, pipe cleaners, felt squares, fake fur, floral wire, spray paint or other do-it-yourself supplies. You can probably even find many of those items around the house.

Refreshments

Look for printable coupons to save on candy and chocolates before you go shopping, and check for promotional candy displays at all types of stores. There are also coupons for candy posted at sites like RedPlum, SmartSource, and online Catalina coupons. If you print them out at home and pair them with store sales, you can easily walk away with a few free bags of candy. Try some of the 18 great recipes made with Peeps candy or a few from this 39-page ebook of spooky treats and party eats.

Decorations

Pumpkin carving during the Halloween holiday is a fun-filled tradition the entire family can enjoy doing together, and even have a friendly competition. There are some great pumpkin carving patterns shared by members of the Buxr community in this discussion topic.

You can pick up some wonderful scented candles on sale at half off from the Yankee Candle store, and combine coupons with that sale for even more savings. Score a few more bargains by buying seasonal decorations from garden centers. This time of year they are running half-off sales on mums and other annuals, leading into the winter season. Pick up some of those, along with a few extra pumpkins and hay bales, and you can make some cheap decorations that will last past Thanksgiving.

Group buying sites are another place to look for good discounts. Deal sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, and Saveology have offered half-priced vouchers in the past for sites and local stores selling Halloween costumes and decorations. But these deals change daily, so you’ll have to act fast to catch them.

Put things all together with this party planner from Oriental Trading Company. It includes 10 recipes for tasty treats, 9 coloring pages, and 24 pumpkin carving stencils. The coloring pages can be put into children’s gift bags, given out to trick-or-treaters, or even used for party decorations.

This year, don’t be afraid that your Halloween purchases will exceed your budget. With these ideas and deals you can save a lot and still have an unBOOlievable good time!

Entry Filed under: Shopping