How to do Halloween on a budget
Halloween has become a really popular celebration in the UK over the last few years. I’m often amazed at how much time, effort and money people put into celebrating it! I’ve never been a huge fan myself, but my daughter loves it! So I’ve been pondering how to do Halloween on a budget without her missing out on all the excitement.
I don’t know what it is about Halloween, but I’ve never “got” all the hype around it. Our eldest son has never been interested in it, he’s never been one for dressing up or big parties, so it’s just not his thing. But our daughter absolutely loves Halloween! And her enthusiasm is starting to rub off on our toddler too.
The shops start to fill with Halloween goodies earlier and earlier each year. It seems that the levels of enthusiasm hitch up a notch higher each time Halloween comes around. Some of the things you can spend your money on are mind boggling!
Most of the big supermarkets have an aisle dedicated to Halloween products in the run up the big event. There are all kinds of costumes on sale for the kids and the adults, elaborate decorations, party plates, sweets, drinks, tablewear, tablecloth linens, all sorts!
If, like me, you’ve got a child who LOVES it, then it’s difficult not to get sucked into forking out for these things.
But, don’t dismay! I’ve got some tips for how to do Halloween on a budget that might just help you out of a hole.
If you’re already on a tight budget, then saving a little cash on these things can be a big help.
How to do Halloween on a budget
The chances are that if you’ve got a child under 11, then you’re going to have to get involved in Halloween in some way or other. Unless your child is like my eldest who point blank refuses to have anything to do with it! If I’m honest, I think I kind of like his style on this one!
Whether you’re staying home and waiting for the trick or treaters, dragging yourself out there with the kids, or holding a Halloween party, you’re going to need some supplies.
Halloween doesn’t need to be expensive though.
Here’s how to do Halloween on a budget when you begrudge spending money on things that only see the light of day once a year!
DIY Decorations
Instead of buying your decorations, you can make them really easily. Think spider webs made out of bin bags and homemade garlands and you’ll soon have the house looking spoooooooky without having spent a fortune.
Use decorations that you saved from last year. Also make your own – use autumn leaves to make a garland or to decorate the table, make paper signs Boo or spiderwebs! https://www.cosmomum.co.uk
Use Pinterest
Pinterest is such a goldmine when it comes to celebrations like Halloween. It’s full of fantastic tips on how to make your own and really do it in style!
Go on Pinterest for some great low cost Halloween themed party food. Like satsumas decorated as pumpkins or peeled grapes for ‘eyeballs’. Do a box challenge where the kids have to put their hands into a sealed box and guess what is in there! Use cold cooked spaghetti and pretend it is worms! Tinned peaches are delightfully slimy if you don’t know what they are! www.yorkshirewonders.co.uk
Food
You can create some amazing Halloween themed food really simply.
Hot dogs for party food ! Everyone loves a hot dogs and some tins of sausages rolls onions and ketchup cost so little www.anklebitersadventures.co.uk
Have you seen those hot dogs chopped up with one side peeled off slightly to look like a finger? They’re so effective and so easy and cheap to make!
And just look at these banana ghosts and satsuma pumpkins! You could rope the kids in to help make these too – they’d love it!
What about making some spooky jelly with worms inside? You can find all kinds of worm shaped and ghoulish sweets you could add to the mix.
I usually cook a huge chilli in the slow cooker on Halloween ready for when we get home. I just quickly cook up some rice and garlic bread to go with it and we’re ready to go.
Costumes
You can buy Halloween costumes pretty cheaply these days. I’m not a fan of anything too scary, I get that Halloween is all about the scary stuff, but I like it to be a little tamer for the younger ones.
I love costumes like these from Amazon:
But there’s no need to fork out for these things. You can make great costumes yourself at home. There are some amazing hacks you can use to do this on a lowcost budget too.
Keep an eye out for discounts in the run up to Halloween too – many stores will fight for your custom and they’re not scared of dropping their prices to entice you in.
Party Games
Play wrap the mummy game- fastest team to wrap one child up in toilet paper bandages wins! https://www.kidtransit.co.uk/
We played this at a friend’s party one year and it was so much fun! It cost pennies too. We used that really cheap toilet paper that’s like a cheese grater on your skin. The kids loved it!
There’s also apple bobbing. This has gone out of fashion recently because of the hygiene concerns of multiple people bobbing their open mouths into a bucket of water. But, you can always do it one child at a time, replacing the apples and the water after each go!
There’s still plenty of fun to be had this Halloween without spending a fortune on food and decorations. With a little forward planning, you can prepare for a great night and keep your wallet happy too. What are your top tips for how to do Halloween on a budget?
If Halloween isn’t your thing, or you just don’t want to be disturbed this year, then you can print off one of my No Trick or Treating free printable signs.
