Halloween is almost here, and while it’s tempting to splurge on elaborate costumes, expensive decorations, and fancy candy, you don’t have to spend a lot to have a spooky good time.

Here’s how to get festive on a budget and make your Halloween amazing without terrifying your bank account.

1. DIY costumes: scary cheap and creative

Skip the store-bought costumes and make your own with items you already have or can snag for cheap. DIY costumes are budget-friendly and also let you be creative and personalized. (Plus, it’s pretty fun to put together your own costume!)

Easy DIY costume ideas:

  • Classic ghost: All you need is an old sheet, a pair of scissors, and some ghostly charm! For a modern twist, use fabric markers to add fun patterns or spooky sayings. Boo!
  • Cat burglar: Black clothing, a beanie, a felt mask, and a tote bag with a dollar sign drawn on it, and voilà! You’re a sneaky (and probably adorable) cat burglar.
  • Mummy: Grab some old white sheets or a roll of toilet paper and wrap yourself up! Just be sure to move carefully so you don’t unravel before the party. (We could never have done this during the pandemic, but now that we have plenty of TP again…)
  • Tourist: Hawaiian shirt, a camera around your neck, and socks with sandals. Bonus points if you carry a map and act lost the entire night.

Brigit tip: Hit up thrift stores or dollar stores for inexpensive accessories like hats, belts, and jewelry to complete your DIY look.

2. Spooky decorations on a dime

Transform your home into a haunted house without dropping big bucks on store-bought decor. You can create a spooky atmosphere with just a few DIY touches that are simple, cheap, and totally eerie.

Budget-friendly decoration ideas:

  • Trash bag spiderwebs: Cut black trash bags into spooky spiderwebs and hang them in windows or across doorways. It’s easy, cheap, and looks amazing!
  • Ghost lanterns: Use empty milk jugs, draw ghost faces on them with a black marker, and stick battery-operated tea lights inside. Line them up along your walkway for a spooky glow.
  • DIY tombstones: Turn old cardboard boxes into tombstones by cutting them into shapes, painting them gray, and adding funny epitaphs like “Here lies Ben, he spent too much” or “R.I.P. Wi-Fi.”
  • Floating candles: Make your own “floating” candles with toilet paper rolls, hot glue for the wax drips, and battery-powered tea lights. Hang them from the ceiling with clear fishing wire for a spooky Hogwarts vibe.

Brigit tip: Hit up your local dollar store for decorations like plastic skeletons or spooky garlands—you’ll find plenty of Halloween flair for just a few bucks. (If you pick up fake cobwebs, it’s best to just use those inside—because outside they can cause problems for birds and insects.)

3. Frighteningly fun party ideas

Hosting a Halloween party doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity, you can throw a haunted bash that’s high on fun and low on cost.

Budget Halloween party ideas:

  • Potluck style: Ask your guests to bring a Halloween-themed dish to share. Bonus points if they get creative with spooky names like “Mummy Dogs” (pigs in a blanket) or “Witch’s Brew” (punch with gummy worms).
  • Costume contest: Host a DIY costume contest and offer fun, inexpensive prizes like homemade Halloween cookies, a pumpkin, or mini trophies from the dollar store. Categories could include “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” or “Best DIY.”
  • Pumpkin decorating station: Instead of carving (which can get messy), set up a pumpkin decorating station with paints, markers, and stickers. Grab mini pumpkins from a local farm or grocery store for cheap.

Brigit tip: Make your own spooky playlist on Spotify or YouTube with classic Halloween tunes like Thriller or Monster Mash. It’ll get everyone in the spooky spirit without paying for a DJ or band.

4. Cheap trick-or-treat ideas

Candy can be one of the biggest Halloween expenses, especially if you live in a trick-or-treat-heavy neighborhood. (Candy is expensive these days!) But don’t worry—you can still hand out treats without overspending.

Affordable trick-or-treat options:

  • Buy in bulk: Check wholesale stores like Costco or Sam’s Club for large bags of candy. You’ll get more for your money and have enough to go around.
  • DIY treat bags: Instead of giving full-sized candy bars, make small treat bags with a mix of candy, stickers, and small toys from the dollar store. It looks more festive and stretches your candy stash further.
  • Non-candy treats: Save money by handing out non-candy treats like glow sticks, temporary tattoos, or plastic vampire teeth. You can buy these in bulk, and kids will love them!

Brigit tip: If you want to go the candy route, try hitting up stores right after Halloween to stock up on discounted candy for next year. Just make sure the expiration dates are far enough in advance and that you and your family won’t eat it before next year!

5. Halloween movie marathon on a budget

What’s better than snuggling up on a chilly October night with some scary movies? You don’t need a fancy streaming service to have a Halloween movie marathon—there are plenty of ways to get your scare on for free or on the cheap.

Budget movie night ideas:

  • Library rentals: Many local libraries offer free movie rentals, including Halloween classics like Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas.
  • YouTube or free streaming: Check out YouTube for free classic horror films or use streaming services like Pluto TV or Tubi, which offer free movies and shows (just with a few ads).
  • DIY popcorn bar: Make your movie night extra fun by setting up a popcorn bar with toppings like melted chocolate, sprinkles, or candy corn. It’s a cheap and delicious way to enjoy the films!

Brigit tip: Invite friends over and make it a potluck-style movie night—everyone can bring a snack, so you’re not footing the bill for all the treats.

6. DIY Halloween crafts for kids

Get the kiddos involved in the Halloween fun with some easy and affordable DIY crafts. It’ll keep them entertained, and they’ll have fun and spooky decorations to show off! (Adults can totally do this, too… age is a state of mind!)

Easy and cheap craft ideas:

  • Paper plate pumpkins: All you need are paper plates, orange paint, and black construction paper to make cute jack-o-lanterns. The kids can draw or cut out their own spooky faces.
  • Toilet paper roll monsters: Collect toilet paper rolls and let the kids paint them to look like monsters, mummies, or vampires. Add googly eyes and scraps of fabric for fun details.
  • Sock ghosts: Use old white socks, stuff them with cotton or tissue, and tie them with string to create adorable little ghosts. Hang them from doorways or trees for extra spookiness!

Brigit tip: Head to sites like Pinterest for endless inspiration on Halloween crafts you can make with items you already have at home!