10 ways to celebrate Halloween without breaking the bank

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Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. I love the entire Autumn season… the leaves falling, the cozy fires and warm sweaters inspired by chili, drizzly weather. It’s a day we all get to step back into childhood and be anything, and anyone our imagination can fathom. It’s the day children can be grown up and grown ups can be kids. As a child October was filled with birthdays (I’m a Fall baby) candy, caramel apples, little pumpkin adorned black baskets filled with wonderful trinkets and goodies, and most memorable a home full of whimsically decorated love! Sometimes I can still feel the warmth of coming home on a rainy October day. Soup would be cooking, the smell of fresh brownies filled the house and little, twinkly pumpkins shone indoors and out. With such fond memories of Halloween I can’t help but get excited each year and often find myself exploding with ideas and projects. In order to fulfill my own need to recreate the whimsical, spooky wonderland which my mother masterfully put together each year I’ve had to get good at thinking outside of the box and upcycling (two things my mom has always been amazing at, even before upcycling was a thing). Here are some of my favorite ways to indulge in the Season, keep your sanity and not spend too much.

1. Host a costume exchange.

For most people who celebrate Halloween, the costume is a major part of being ready for the season. However costumes can be really pricey and take a lot of time to put together and chances are you will not want to dress up in the same costume multiple years in a row. Many people just donate their costume to a local thrift store each year and buy a new one. This is great in that the costumes get re-used, however purchasing new (or even second hand) each year can get pretty pricey. Instead of buying, try hosting a costume exchange. Ask each person to bring one (or more) costumes they wouldn’t mind parting with. Props, and trick or treat bags are great items to gather too, even if they don’t fit a certain costume, you may find that they go with the idea another person is looking to create. Be sure all costumes are clean and ready to wear. Invite lots of people, since the more people who come, the more costumes everyone will have to choose from.

Next, put together a fun spread of Fall inspired foods ( see below for ideas) and enjoy the company of your friends while everyone gets their costumes. Asking each guest to bring a dish or drink, pot luck style is also a fun way to get a nice spread of food without breaking the bank or taking too much time.

2. Join a local buynothing group and get costumes and decorations free (remember to give your no longer used holiday items here as well).

The buynothing project consists of hyper-local groups all over the county with the goal of connecting people and recycling items. To join a group log onto Facebook and search buynothing with your city name (ex. buynothing Seattle). Depending on the size of your home town, there may be many groups. If you’re unsure which group to join, private message your address to one of the groups letting them know you’d like to join. An admin will receive the message and get back to you with the appropriate group based on your address. Once you join, you can ask for items and give items. It’s a great way to donate your items and know they are going to people in your community who will use them. It’s also a great way to find items you otherwise may have to purchase. If you use buynothing for holiday items I’d start looking early and be open to borrowing. If you are only going to wear the costume one night you really don’t need to own it. As with anything on the internet, be safe, report suspicious behavior and read the terms and conditions of the site to keep yourself safe.

3. Use upcycle decorations

Some of my favorite decorations have been the outcome of creative upcycling. For example a spaghetti sauce jar can easily become a ghost luminary. Recycled cardboard transforms into spooky trees or gory gravestones. Used spice containers make wonderful jars in a mad scientist lab. Whatever your creative thoughts may be, use the items around you to make your mind’s vision to come to life.

4. Pick a theme and decorate to that idea (Frankenstein’s Laboratory, Dracula’s funeral, mad scientist, Monster Ball, pumpkin Parade)

Choosing a sub theme related to Halloween can help you focus your attention and make upcycling or borrowing decorations easier. You may be more likely to get items from others (such as on buynothing) if you aren’t looking for the traditional orange pumpkin and porch spider webs, plus your spread will be interesting and unique. Check out pinterest for lots of great ideas. Make sure you share your awesome finds in the comments!

Pinterest Inspiration:

Mad Scientist Decor: https://www.pinterest.com/aroomfullofsun/mad-scientist-theme-halloween-party/

Dracula Inspired Decor:https://www.pinterest.com/aroomfullofsun/dracula-inspired-halloween-decor/

Frankenstein Inspired Decor:https://www.pinterest.com/aroomfullofsun/frankensteins-laboratory-halloween-decor/

Disney Inspired Decor: https://www.pinterest.com/aroomfullofsun/disney-theme-halloween-decor/

5. Don’t feel like you have to go over the top to have fun.

Whether you decide to deck your home out and throw your own spooky spectacular or just put out a few decorations the best part of celebrating is getting together with other people to enjoy their company and for many to remember loved ones who’ve passed. As fun as it can be to go crazy with over the top festivities, don’t lose yourself and the reason for it all.

6. Add to your fun with interesting foods and music.

Festive foods and spooky music (or lack thereof) can completely make (or break) your party. There are many approaches depending on who you are inviting to your party and the overall vibe you wish to create. You could do anything from general harvest foods and music (apples in various forms, savory, Fall dishes with roasted squash and nuts, hot apple cider and buttered rum) to a creepy spread of finger foods (pun intended!) like witches finger baked asparagus or BBQ’s spare ribs

7. Get others to help! My favorite Holiday get togethers of the past came together with many friends sitting around the table drinking wine and crafting.

Whether you are hosting a party or just want to get your place spook-tac-ularly decorated for the season, getting others involved always makes the process more fun. If it’s a big bash you are planning, form a committee of creative friends to help (just make sure you are truly open to their ideas so they have fun with the process too). If you’re going for a more low-key celebration or simple decorations, invite a friend or two over for wine and creating. You can host an evening where they help you decorate and you return the favor for them another night OR make it a one night crafting event where everyone makes their own decorations to take home. Whatever your vision, get people together and let your creative juices flow!

8. Get your kids involved] Carving pumpkins the toddler way[/caption]

Kids of all ages can help when it comes to Halloween. Messy is creepy and whimsical and wonderful. Let them experiment and create. Kids can get into the spirit early by planting their own pumpkins and watching them grow. Whether you grow your own or buy from a farm or store kids can find joy in coloring pumpkins or squash with a regular marker. Add to the fun by helping them carve their pumpkin (remember to carve safely and keep tools out of reach of children) and letting them get gooey with the seeds (perfect for Fall sensory play).

9. Create a costume from your old clothes.

No time to exchange costumes with others and no money to buy one? Look no further than your own closet! Got a red dress? Viola, you can be a devil, Little Red Riding Hood, a Hollywood celebrity, the list goes on. It’s easier than you think to put something together.

10. Go to the dollar store or thrift store for items you must purchase.

For most holidays the dollar store is a mecca for awesome decorations and party supplies. (Remember all those wonderful, whimsical decorations I mentioned from my childhood?… homemade or dollar store, and my mom still has most of them!) Be sure to look in all the isles because what you need may not be in the holiday section.

Not into partying, but still want to celebrate the season? Try heading to a pumpkin patch, test your skills at a local corn maze or check out Fall activities in your local paper or recreation guide.

What are your favorite Fall activities?