Boo! It’s that time of year when werewolves howl and vampires bite. It’s also the season for dishing out lots of dough on candy, costumes, and spooky decorations. The money spent on Halloween is enough to scare anyone off anything that goes bump in the night. A recent survey suggests that we consumers will spend an average of $56.31 each on Halloween this year. That’s a lot of cash for getting the creeps.
Since I love a good scare — and I know you do too — I think it’s possible to have a howl of a Halloween without doing the Monster Mash (yes, it’s a graveyard smash) on your wallet. So I’ve dipped into my archives and searched the blogosphere to bring you some frugal Halloween costume, candy, and decorating ideas.
The Costless Halloween Costume
What’s up with costume rentals and expensive packaged ensembles? I’ve never spent a dollar to dress up for Halloween, and you don’t need to either. Here are some frugal costume ideas you may just find by shopping your closet.
10 Halloween Costume Ideas: for Kids and Adults
Ok, so #4 on this list is Bust out the bridesmaid dress. Now don’t fear fellas, there are plenty of costume ideas in this post that don’t involve you wearing a pink dress. But if you do feel like giving your chest a wax, then feel free to bust out and be a bridesmaid in a pink (or blue, or yellow, or sea foam) dress.
Launch: 10 Halloween Costume Ideas: for Kids, Adults, and Kiss
10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas
Sometimes you’re stuck for time and need a quick costume to get yourself into the party. So don’t despair if you’ve got nothing to wear or you’re feeling dog-gone miserable about your outfit. Last minute halloween costume ideas are what this post is about!
Launch: 10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas
Yes, that’s my dog Pivo and she really does loathe my pink shoes.
Halloween Treats Minus the Costly Tricks
There are endless ways to satisfy your sweet tooth that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids
Need a frugal and fun Halloween activity to scare the pants off your kids? Try making a Freakish Frog. This is the most popular photo on this blog. I think it’s the tongue.
Launch: Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids
5 Halloween Tricks that Will Treat Your Finances
I wrote this post for the Your Money Blog and shared some tips for cutting costs on candy.
Launch: 5 Halloween Tricks that Will Treat Your Finances
Frugal Pumpkin Fun for Everyone
Decorating your front door with a classic Jack O’ Lantern is pretty darn cheap, and fun. So get a gourd and get carving!
Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils (easy and simple)
These stencils are insanely popular with the downloading bunch. This post offers 6 simple designs.
Launch: Free Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils (Free and Scary)
8 Printable Pumpkin Faces (and Marilyn Monroe)
Looking for more of a pumpkin carving challenge? Then try these 8 pumpkin face stencils. There’s even one of Marilyn Monroe if you’re throwing a swanky soiree.
Launch: 8 Pumpkin Stencils: Scary Printable Pumpkin Faces (and Marilyn Monroe)
How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)
If you’ve got a knife stuck in your pumpkin, then you may need some carving help.
Launch: How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)
Blogosphere Halloween Links
I searched the blogosphere to share some frugal Halloween linking fun. Enjoy!
Got a Sweet Tooth?
- How to Save on Halloween Candy | Bargaineering
- Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe | Blogger For Hire
- Candy So Awful It Puts Hair on Your Chest | Through The Illusion
Throwing a Party? Going Trick-Or-Treating?
- Creating a Frugal Halloween | Million Dollar Journey
- Google Street View – Great for home buyers (and for planning a trick-or-treat route) | Four Pillars
- 28 Ways to Have Cheap Halloween Fun | Wisebread
Need a Cheap Costume?
- 7 Most Popular and Practical Halloween Costumes of 2009 | Savvy Student
- Homemade Halloween Costumes for Frugal Kids | Frugal Dad
- Frugal Halloween Costumes | beingfrugal
- 25 Frugal Halloween Costumes | Moolanomy
Your Turn: Are you spending big money this Halloween or keeping costs down?
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Your two cents:
Thanks for the link – using the Streetview to plan for Halloween is a neat idea!
Definitely keeping costs down. I don’t think you need to spend a lot on this holiday anyway!
Thank you for the link love.
i spent 50 dollars on last year Halloween, but not this year.
I was just telling Mr Chiots that next costume party I go to I’m dressing up in my bathrobe, I’ll put my hair up in a towel, perhaps put a face mask one and maybe even glue cucumber slices on some glasses. Now that’s a cheap costume and comfy as well.
Great post Kerry and thanks for the mention!
Ooh, where did you get those shoes? Love them!
@Four Using Streetview in a post is a very cool idea. I doubt the camera crews will come out to my rural forested area though. LOL
@Vered I only buy a bit of candy for the kids.
@Sale Sounds like you spent the average amount last year.
@Chiot’s Run That’s a great costume! PLUS you’ll get a facial done at the same time. Excellent use of time management skills.
@MDJ My pleasure!
@Laurel Alanna McBrine My pink shoes are by the Canadian designer John Fluevog. They are not frugal, BUT if you’re a sample size (6.5) then you can snag a pair for far less in August at the Vancouver store.
Fortunately, I don’t need streetview. The street I live has 40 houses with 2 to 3 kids in each of them. Once we made this little round up, our bags is already full
I’m getting a Pirate costume with old clothe (I have a long trench coat somewhere and a weird hat). efficient and free costume
I simply bought a saber at $1.50 at the dollar store 
I wore those shoes for my wedding day. Definitely not frugal, but very awesome.
HAha… the shoes were not the appeal for me… it was the food. I wonder if this is why they call it a gender gap? Happy Halloween.