One of the best things to do as fall begins is get ahead on upcoming events on the cheap. Thrift stores stocked with donations from ClothingDonations.org can be a valuable resource for many fall events. Need a vintage dress for homecoming? Thrift it. Building a scarecrow for your fall festival? There is no place better than the thrift to find colorful, inexpensive clothing that can be stuffed with straw. Need a creative Halloween costume, or some ideas for one? Go directly to the thrift! Your purchases will fund valuable programs that help thousands of the nation’s veterans and their families.
Tag: Halloween costumes
Fantastic, Free & Cheap Halloween Costumes
The National Retail Federation says that average per capita spending on Halloween will reach $86.79 this year among American consumers. If you don’t want to spend that much money on a costume, The Spruce has five “free or cheap” tips: Stage a costume swap, surf Freecycle for giveaways, print out a Halloween mask, or use the craft materials you already have on hand. Also consider visiting the thrift store, the site says. “They usually have tons of used Halloween costumes. You can also get really creative and find pieces of clothing and accessories and use them to create your own costume.”
Thrift-Store Halloween Costume Ideas
Stuck deciding on a Halloween costume? Lots of classic looks are easy to source at thrift stores supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org. Thrifty, easy-to-assemble ideas for women from Ecouterre include “Sockhop Sweetie” (pleated skirt, pink sweater), “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (chic black sheath dress, oversized sunglasses), “Hamburglar” (black-and-white striped shirt, black mask, fast-food burger), and “Valley Girl” (plaid blazer, oversized phone). Just walk into the thrift and let the inspiration strike; not only will you soon have a one-of-a-kind costume, you’ll be helping the nation’s veterans with your purchases.
Make Thrifts Your First Stop for DIY Costumes
An annual survey from Goodwill Industries says that at least one person or pet in more than half (56 percent) of American households will dress in costume for Halloween this year. And one-quarter (25 percent) of those planning to dress up will wear a “unique, one-of-a-kind costume.” What’s more, 52 percent of respondents who prefer DIY costumes say that the best place to shop for materials is the local thrift store. Whether it’s Goodwill or a thrift supplied by donations to ClothingDonations.org, there’s no better place to score a unique, funny, scary or sexy getup that will wow the trick-or-treaters.
Harvest a Few Fall Deals at the Thrift
The apples are crisp, and the air is crisper … it must be fall! And there’s no better time to score a few bargains at the local thrift store. With cold weather and the biggest holidays just around the corner, you can prepare for the season without spending a lot of money — and at the same time, help fund veterans’ programs.
The first thing you’ll want to look for at the thrift is cold-weather clothing. If you need sweaters, scarves, gloves or a winter coat, you can find them on the cheap at the thrift. Likewise with blankets, comforters and throws — and if you start shopping for such items early, you’ll have a great selection of stuff from which to choose.
You may also want to add a little fall flair to your home.
Halloween closes out the first full month of fall, and many thrift stores will have lightly used or brand-new decorations from last year that people either didn’t use or are no longer using. String lights, paper skeletons, plastic lawn decorations, you name it; they all wind up at the thrift for reuse. But they won’t be there for long!
The thrift is also a great source of raw materials for your Halloween costume. In no time, you can source the used clothing and accessories needed to cement your status as a disco dude, zombie, cheerleader or pirate. For something more topical, you can pick up a dark suit and an extra-long red tie fast at most thrifts.
Whatever you find, you’ll experience the thrill of the hunt and save yourself some money while helping the nation’s veterans. Donations of lightly used clothing, housewares and accessories made to ClothingDonations.org are sold to thrifts for resale, with all proceeds going directly to programs that help veterans access housing, health care and more.
So shop freely for all of your fall festivities! But don’t buy new — harvest some deals at the thrift!