How we’re doing Halloween on a budget

As you may know from my other posts, money is a bit tight this year after completing our extension at the beginning of the year. We have a lot still to pay off and it feels like I’m always saying no to the children when they want something or want to do something. So, how can we do Halloween on a small budget and still make it fun?

Make or borrow Halloween costumes

If last year’s costumes don’t fit or they want new ones, get creative with what you have, swap with your friends, or buy used from charity shops or eBay, Vinted, or Facebook marketplace.

Cut down on the sweets

Don’t buy sweets from the Halloween-themed aisle, get the cheaper sweets and chocolates from the normal everyday aisle. Even better, bake some cookies yourself or use what you have. You can make your own toffee apples too. Don’t go overboard, just have a few out for trick or treaters then when they’re gone they’re gone.

Don’t buy decorations

Re-use what you used before or make some from whatever craft supplies or paper you have in the house. We have a box full of decorations we bring out year after year. Make a body bag out of bin bags and tape and put it out the front of your house to scare people! Print out a scary picture of your kids and place it in coloured Jars so they look pickled and put them in the fridge, your husband or Mum will get a scare when they reach for the milk!

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Don’t buy pumpkins

this one requires some forward planning, but grow your own pumpkins earlier in the year and you’ll have some for your display and carving. You don’t need to go to a pumpkin patch, it’s not essential, despite what Instagram depicts. Supermarkets sell them very cheaply as an alternative if you need to buy one.

We’re not hosting a party either and we’ve been invited to one so we may go there. How are you saving money this Halloween?