Between costumes and accessories, decorations, and candy for trick or treaters – Halloween expenses can quickly add up. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to enjoy (or be frightened) this Halloween. Keep reading to learn six spooky, low-cost ways to celebrate.

1. Host a Spooky Movie Marathon

If watching a scary movie gets you in the Halloween spirit – try three of them in a row! Instead of heading to the movie theater, transform a cozy space at home into the perfect spot for a scary movie marathon. If you have streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Paramount Plus – start by making a list of all the Halloween movies you can stream with your subscription. Then, decide on the ones that will make the cut. Lastly, arrange some cozy pillows and blankets and let the Halloween classics begin.

You can take this idea a step further by creating a movie theater-inspired concession stand out of inexpensive snacks like popcorn and boxed candy. Check out this list of easy and fun Halloween treats to put a festive spin on your movie marathon snacks.

2. Make Your Costume

Dressing up as your favorite character for Halloween can be exciting, but it can also be scary for your wallet. According to recent research, U.S. shoppers can expect to spend an average of $35 on an off-the-shelf costume, and $70 for a licensed/character costume this year. Keep Halloween fun and affordable by making a costume out of items you probably already have at home. Local dollar or thrift stores may have affordable costume supplies and accessories too!

Need some inspiration? If you have a black shirt, pants, and some makeup – you’re halfway to having a black cat costume. Next, find an affordable set of cat ears and a tail online or in a local store. If you want to make your Halloween attire entirely at home, check out this easy DIY cat costume.

3. Craft a Halloween Wreath

A wreath is a traditional decoration that symbolizes your celebration of a certain holiday or season – and can be pricey. Luckily, with a few dollar store materials – a festive Halloween wreath can be easy and affordable to make.

Check out the instructions and reference picture if you want to make a spider web wreath at home.

Supplies: Wire form, white yarn, black yarn or ribbon, and a large plastic spider.

Instructions:

1) Wrap a wire wreath form in black yarn or ribbon.

2) Stretch white yarn around the open center to form a web: Tie the spokes first, then spiral around them.

3) Add one large plastic spider (or multiple) to the web. Optional: Add a black bow tie to the bottom center of the wreath.

4. DIY Haunted House or Scavenger Hunt

A DIY haunted house can be an affordable and spooky way to celebrate Halloween if you have younger children at home. You can transform a room using materials you can commonly find around the house and Halloween decorations from your local dollar (think cobwebs, gravestones, skeletons, and hanging ghosts). After dimming the lights or playing eerie music – lead your little ones through the scenes you created. You can make it spooky (or not), and tailored to your audience.

A less scary alternative is creating a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Decide on the route you want the kids to take through your home or outdoors, unique hiding spots for the items you choose, and clues for finding them. Don’t forget to hide candy too – it’s like trick or treating, but with a twist!

5. Write Your Own Scary Story

Scary stories are a Halloween staple, but you’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like you hear the same ones every year. Take matters into your own hands by writing a spooky story! If you have a smaller group, you can individually come up with your own and then come together later to share them. Consider group storytelling if you have a larger group – where you choose a theme, have one person start with an opening sentence, and have each additional person add a sentence at a time. Then read your masterpiece aloud for all to hear.

6. Check Out Your Local Library

Your local library can be a great place to start if you’re searching for affordable, festive ways to enjoy Halloween. Libraries often have resources that go far beyond books. You’ll usually also find other types of media like audiobooks or DVDs, free Wi-fi and computers, crafting supplies, and events. You may even be able to find Halloween movies to rent, crafts to make in the library or “take and make” crafts for home, or other free or low-cost programs.

If you’re in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in New Jersey, the Monmouth County Library System and Ocean County Library have many seasonal offerings to explore.

Subscribe to our First Scoop Blog for more financial resources like these. Be sure to comment and let us know if you add any of these activities to your Halloween celebrations this year!

Halloween is a fun and festive time of year – but the cost of decorations, candy, and celebrations can add up quickly. With a little planning and creativity, you can still get into the spooky spirit without breaking the bank. Here are six simple tips to help you celebrate Halloween on a budget while making the most of the spooky season.

1. Get Crafty with Decor

Halloween decorations can be expensive if you rely on store bought items, but you don’t have to splurge to transform your home into a haunted haven. Instead, get creative and make your own spooky decor using items you already have around the house. Old sheets can become ghostly figures, cardboard can be transformed into gravestones, and stretched out cotton balls can make perfect cobwebs. Remember, these decorations only stay out for a few weeks out of the year so they don’t have to be top-notch quality. By reusing what you have, you can create a festive atmosphere without overspending or being wasteful.

2. The Dollar Store is Your Best Friend

For those looking to complement their DIY decor, dollar stores are an underrated goldmine for affordable Halloween items. Many discount stores will set up seasonal sections filled with Halloween decor at a fraction of the prices you’d find at stores like Target or Home Goods. From plastic spiders and skeletons to themed tablecloths and candles, you can stock up on decorations without spending a fortune. With some creativity, items in the craft section can become the perfect decorations with a little glue and paint. These inexpensive items are perfect for creating a spooky vibe on a budget.

3. Shop Smart for Halloween Candy

We all know candy is one of the biggest Halloween expenses, especially if you live in a neighborhood with lots of trick-or-treaters. Instead of making multiple trips and buying tons of regular-sized bags at the grocery store, buy your candy in bulk from warehouse clubs. If you don’t need an entire bulk bag, consider teaming up with friends or neighbors to split large candy purchases and share the savings. This way, you can still get a good deal without overstocking. Don’t have access to a club membership? Opting for off-brand candy is okay too—most kids are happy with any sweet treat!

4. Stick to a Pumpkin Budget

Pumpkins are a fall favorite, but they can be pricey—especially if you get swept up in the excitement of buying too many or buying from the wrong places. To keep your spending in check, set a pumpkin budget. Let each family member pick one pumpkin or cap the total amount the family can spend together. While pumpkin patches are fun for photos, they often come with a higher price tag. Head to the pumpkin patch for a day of fall fun, but consider buying your pumpkins from a grocery store instead. Look out for buy-one-get-one deals and coupons, and remember – a pumpkin is a pumpkin no matter where you buy it!

5. Take Advantage of Free Halloween Events

Fall is filled with community events, and many of them are free. Look for local Halloween parades, trunk-or-treats, and outdoor movie screenings. Cities, neighborhoods, and community centers often host fall festivals or harvest fairs where you can enjoy seasonal activities without the hefty price tag. In addition to Halloween-specific events, fall offers plenty of budget friendly outdoor activities. Take a walk through a local park to enjoy the fall foliage, go apple picking, or visit a farm for a hayride. Check the local events page on Facebook, browse town websites for free or low-cost events happening near you, or subscribe to our First Scoop Blog and check out our monthly things to do on a budget posts!

6. Budget Friendly Costume Ideas

Costumes can be one of the most expensive parts of Halloween, but there are plenty of ways to save. Start by setting up a costume swap with friends, neighbors, or other parents—costumes are only worn once, so swapping with others can give them new life. Don’t shy away from thrift stores. Most second-hand stores setup Halloween sections, and you can find gently used and even brand new costumes with tags. Just like decor, DIY costumes are a fantastic option. Look through your closet for items that can be repurposed. With a little creativity, you can put together a fun costume without spending a fortune.

Don’t Break the Bank on Halloween

Halloween is all about fun and creativity, you don’t have to overspend to enjoy the holiday. At First Financial, we’re here to help you make the most of your money all year long. For more financial tips and personalized advice, call 732.312.1500 or visit a branch today.