Thrift-Shop to Save on Halloween Costumes

Stuck for a scary-good #Halloween #costume for your kids or yourself? You could buy a ready-made, no-fuss costume if you’re strapped for time, but that’s never as fun as creating your own, one-of-a-kind take on a monster, superhero or ghoul.

Nor is it cheap! Prepackaged costumes can easily cost $50, $100 or more — and you’ll need that money for candy and decorations. So instead of purchasing a costume, assemble one from the unique #clothing and finds at the #thrift or #secondhand store.

You can quickly create classic characters such as vampire, rock star, witch, ghost, scarecrow, burglar or hippie by shopping the local thrift for clothing and accessories, Unexpectedly Domestic says. If pop culture is your thing, the Golden Girls makes a great group costume.

This year’s most up-to-the-minute pop culture costumes borrow looks from Clueless, The Addams Family, Stranger Things, and Top Gun: Maverick, says Refinery29. But you can’t go wrong with longtime favorites such as Harry Potter, Where’s Waldo and Dora the Explorer.

For best results, brainstorm a few costumes before thrifting, says Open Door. Keep an open mind, however, because you might find something that sparks new ideas. Don’t just look for clothing, either — the thrift might have accessories and props that will make your look stand out.

Don’t forget that thrifts are a great source of foundational materials such as sheets that can be repurposed, as well as Halloween decorations. What you come up with is limited only by your creativity, so start #thrifting now. You’ll be able to shop sustainably and save money.

An added bonus? Thrift stores supplied by ClothingDonations.org help fund valuable veterans programs. When you #donate clothing, #household goods and other lightly used #stuff, it gets resold to fund housing, health care and other veteran needs.

Remember to contact ClothingDonations.org any time of year you wish to schedule a #free, #contactless #donation #pickup, too! Think of your donation as pay your Happy Halloween forward. Hope yours is spook-tacular!

Preparing for Trick-or-Treaters

Most of what you do in preparation for #trick-or-treaters is up to you, says Spooky Little Halloween. For example, wearing a #costume makes the event seem like less of a chore, but it is not a requirement and it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Likewise, how much you decorate is optional — you can go all in on a faux graveyard with lights, fog and sound effects, or put a couple of pumpkins and a fall wreath out, but having the porch lights lit will signal that you’re giving away candy. Speaking of candy, that’s pretty much the only other requirement for a successful #Halloween, so make sure you have enough!

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.