I love Halloween, but I clearly don't embrace the Halloween spirit as much as my friend Angela (@PartyMomma). Read her "Halloween On A Budget" tips below and check out how she and her ghostly posse scare up some spooky fun in their Mississauga, Ontario neighbourhood.
Remember when Halloween meant throwing a white sheet over your head with two eye holes cut out and knocking on your neighbours’ doors demanding candy? Today, Halloween is slightly more elaborate and much more costly, with the average person spending over $55 on their costume alone (according to the 2007 National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Action Survey). That doesn’t include the candy we dole out by the handful to all the witches and goblins who come knocking. According to the figures presented in the survey, a family of 4 could easily spend on average between $100-$350 each Halloween on costumes, candy and décor (depending on how many family members and/or pets are dressing up).
Here are a few ways you can make your Halloween expenses a little less frightening this year:
1. Make Your Costume Instead of Purchasing - Who says store bought costumes are better? Rather than look just like 13 of your closest friends, why not dress up as a bag of jelly beans using only a clear garbage bag and some balloons? Or, go ahead and scare up any one of these inexpensive home creations!
2. Stick to Your Candy Budget - The average household gives away $21 worth of sugar every Halloween and spends an average of $26 on decor. If you give out candy, limit it to one piece per child. Remember Trick-or-Treaters are going to many houses and will end of up getting more than enough loot. If you don’t hand out candy, you don’t have to decorate your front yard either. Average Money Saved: $47!
3. Enjoy Low Cost Entertainment - Apparently, we like to party on Halloween. According to the survey, Halloween is the second biggest party night of the year. They say the cause for the recent popularity is because people are looking to escape reality on Halloween by having some fun. But, having fun doesn’t have to mean spending money. Look around your neighbourhood for people who do love spending lots of money for Halloween and visit THEIR spooky houses! Some cater to everyone in your family, including your “this is boring” or “this isn’t scary” teen. I dare you to join my family this year at Lou Cipher’s Insane House of Terror for a fun and free* spooktacular experience!
Have a safe and Halloween everyone!
~ Ax Weilding Angela
*Lou Cipher’s House is free and is run by Halloween-loving volunteers, but they do accept donations because, you know, Halloween is expensive!
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