Are you looking for some ways to save on your Halloween? Being thrifty is possible for every holiday and any time of the year. From costumes to electricity you can save, those pennies will turn into dollars and with even more holidays coming up saving early helps.
Candy/Treats: This Halloween consider purchasing items that are not perishable to give out as treats, Halloween does not just have to be candy it can be tattoos, bouncy balls, homemade recycled crayons, pencils or whatever else you can get a great deal on. Kids get a lot of candy, they will be surprised and probably excited to get something different that they can use instead of a piece of candy they might not like and probably don't really need. Also with these items if you don't have a lot of Trick or Treaters you can save it for next year! You will then be pushing your savings into another year. If you really want to do candy make sure you are looking for coupons and they are coming out you will just need to clip or print them. If you are going the candy route you may want to purchase treats that you will eat at home, you might not want candy around but it is better to have items you will use instead of items you don't like going to waste. Also consider teaming up with a neighbor and just having one of your houses open for the Trick or Treaters, you can pool your treat resources and have fun getting together for the holiday.
Are you giving out treats at school or work? Consider giving out homemade coupons...at school "good for a two hour play date at my house", at work "good for my parking spot for one day", "good for an extra day of me driving the carpool".
Costumes: Look for fun items you already have and create a costume around those. Maybe a black cat (black pants, black shirt, black shoes) you might need to purchase a black head band with ears or make your own with felt or foam from a craft store. Look at your local stores for little pieces that might be a great accent to a costume that you are making from home. Not only will you save by making something yourself and picking up an item or two but if you are shopping locally you are helping to support local businesses. Check out what your local Goodwill has in stock. Trade with neighbors or cousins!
Electricity: This is a silly one but it is Halloween, it is dark, it is creepy...turn off the lights or get low wattage bulbs! Are you going out? Use a flashlight with rechargeable batteries or a crank flashlight, these can be a lot of fun for children. Use glow necklaces, bracelets or sticks, these can usually be found at party or discount stores.
Decorations: Make them yourself and use them from year to year. Make a "scarecrow" by stuffing an old pair of jeans with newspaper and use an old shirt and do the same. Make the head out of a pumpkin or a ball. Prop it on a lawn chair and you are set. If you have an old pair of boots or shoes make sure to use those as well. If you are making paper crafts you might want to laminate them for future use. Decorate with pictures of previous Halloweens. If you find a great deal on decorations make sure they are reusable. If you are planning a party you might want to impress your guests by using your regular dishes, this will cut down on the paper products and will also help the environment. Only carve one side of the pumpkin and turn it around to save for an outside Thanksgiving decoration or use items to decorate your pumpkin like foam pieces and stickers.
Going out and celebrating:If you want to head to a pumpkin farm you might want to try and find one that has set prices versus paying er pound. Also look for a place that will let you pay per activity and let your family choose one or two instead of doing everything, then you will have something to look forward to next year. If you have a membership to the museum or zoo see what they have planned versus going somewhere that you will have to pay, this would already be part of your membership benefits.
Getting together: Do a potluck or a chili dump. Potluck, all guests bring a spooky dish to share. Chili dump: you start the base and everyone brings the ingredients. Maybe snacks would be a better option, have your party later so everyone will have had dinner and just provide some light snacks to munch on, again ask guests to bring something.
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