There’s a chill in the air and the leaves are starting to change in many parts of the country. You can almost hear the witches cackling, ghosts wailing and skeleton bones rattling…Halloween is just around the corner!
Because Halloween is only the beginning of the holiday season, it’s easy to go overboard on spending – a costume here, a few bags of candy there…it can add up quickly.
It’s important to remember that the holidays really start to ramp up on the heels of Halloween. There is the cost of travelling, hosting guests, large holiday meals, decorating, parties, and gifts that come along with Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah.
I certainly don’t bring this up to stress you out, but just to remind you to keep a close eye on your holiday budget, starting with Halloween.
Here are a few ways to have a low-cost Halloween without skipping any of the fun!
Save on Costumes
A popular money-saving tip for a low-cost Halloween is to make your own costume. I think this is a great idea but I don’t suggest immediately heading to the fabric store. My talented friends who sew costumes for their children tend to spend more than those who grab something at the local superstore.
Of course, the homemade outfits are often works of art that are lovingly created and last for years in the dress-up box, so if you love to sew, then go for it! Just don’t force yourself to wrestle with fabric and thread because you think it’s the cheapest way to go.
For a truly inexpensive costume, head to your closet. You can likely make your own costume using mainly items you already have. Look for inspiration on Pinterest, Etsy and online costume stores, then create your own version at home.
My daughter wants to be a witch this year, and I found some great ideas online. A black shirt, black and white striped leggings, purple boots and a purple tutu she already has will be the base of the costume. I’ll add a witch hat tied with a purple ribbon and some black tulle to the tutu. Just like that, I’ll have a great costume for well under $10! [Read more…]
Of course, great costumes are a must and 
I chose the Lightning McQueen Costume to review. This is a deluxe 3D costume and what I love about it is the fact that it’s part costume and part prop. Sure, it’s perfect for Halloween, especially with the included Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment cap that comes with the costume. But because the costume basically consists of a strap-on Lightning McQueen race car, the costume is also great for kids that want to pretend to drive or hold imaginary races.