How to enjoy a spooktacular Halloween on a budget

Halloween is one of those holidays where the whole family can have fun. We gather together, dress up, eat great food, dance, make drinks, tell stories, laugh and take plenty of selfies. Just like other holidays and special occasions, the cost associated with Halloween can quickly mount up. In this time where we’re watching every penny leaving our bank accounts, how can you celebrate whilst saving some money? Let’s look at how to enjoy a spooktacular Halloween on a budget.

Host your own party

There are many Halloween parties advertised across different communities. Maybe you’ve spotted one that looks like a lot of fun, advertised on Facebook? Lots of these parties are great however, you’ll usually have to buy a ticket to attend. How about hosting your own party this year instead? Straight away you’ll save the cost of entry. Host your own little party at home. Or maybe you could throw your own party and make some money from the holiday? You’ll need a little bit of cash, to begin with, but can earn this back and make a profit from ticket sales. For most of us though, a little party at home is a great idea and sticks within the budget. 

Create your own costume

When looking at Halloween on a budget, a great idea is to make your own costume. There are many costumes we can create with barely any money and simply using items we probably already own. When you look at the price of a Halloween costume from a shop, even a supermarket, it’s a good couple of notes you’ll be parting ways with. Take a look on Pinterest for ideas and get creative with some make-up to give yourself a ghoulish look. You could easily become a wicked witch or a zombie.

Get people to bring something

If you are having people come to your house, don’t feel that because you are the host you need to buy everything. Ask your friends and family to bring stuff with them. That could include decorations, food, drink and even music. With more people, it becomes more expensive to provide catering and enjoyment. By asking people to bring a little something with them, it spreads the cost and lightens the load on your shoulders. It might feel awkward but people are generally happy to bring a little something themselves. Bring-your-own-bottle has been a thing for years, so mention it on the invite or in the WhatsApp group to help you stick to your Halloween on a budget.

Kids Party Bag Ideas That The Guests Will Love

Keep it low key

By keeping things low-key, you will save money. Many Halloween parties go all out and that is wonderful when people aren’t watching their wallets quite as much. However, when things are tight, you can still enjoy yourself without spending as much cash. When you have a party for Halloween on a budget, you can still provide entertainment and bags of ghostly fun, just without spending too much money. 

DIY food & drink

Food and drink are a huge part of any party, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it. If you are doing Halloween on a budget, it is best to avoid any premade items. Creating your own food is the most cost-effective way of catering for your party. Be sure to ask friends and family member show are coming to bring a plate or something. There is nothing wrong with splitting up the shopping list of everything you need and asking invited guests to bring some things.

Hot dogs, burgers and slow-cooked gammon are great food choices. For drinks, you can get people to make their own colourful cocktail creations y having a bar with different bottles. These Halloween food ideas for kids are a sure-fire winner! You might think paper plates are a good idea but you’re basically throwing money into the bin. Plastic ones that you can wash and reuse are a better option. If you know someone who is coming to your party who is good at baking, ask them to make some themed cakes for the event.

Make your own decorations

Decorations can be an expensive business too. You likely want your party to look fantastically scary and spooky. Whilst there are decorations available at the local shops, you’ll easily spend £20+ on them. How about making your own? Spend the weekend before the event making decorations with the kids. It will keep them away from the TV and also get everyone crafty together. Get some orange and black cardboard and you are on the right path. Create cut-out skulls, pumpkins, ghosts and plenty of witches’ hats! 

Trick or treat bargains

Lots of retailers bring out specific Halloween sweets and goodies for trick or treating. But it’s just the packaging that is different. Keep an eye out for reduced treats from the summer, which still have a decent expiration date. Rather than paying £1 for a bag or sweets, you could find shops having a clear out of stock for 20p a bag. Sweets are sweets at the end of the day. Any children knocking on your door aren’t going to care, they just want the candy!

The same goes for people attending your party. As long as there is food and drink, does it really matter? That gives you more goodies for your money, or plenty left over in your pocket. If you plan ahead, you can even buy Halloween stock after the holidays, when retailers are selling it off cheap to get Christmas stock on the shelves. That way you can pop it away for next year. Saving you even more money and helping you enjoy Halloween on a budget.

Final thoughts

Halloween can be lots of fun but it can also come with a price tag. Find ways to do Halloween on a budget and you’ll be able to enjoy the event whilst watching how much is leaving your wallet. No one wants to wake up with a fright night financial hangover! Enjoy a spooktacular Halloween on a budget this year.