Stories

Sun, 25 Oct 2026

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 How families are cutting the cost of Halloween as spending grows

Families are turning to homemade costumes, swaps and second-hand outfits to keep it affordable.

* Businesses report a surge in demand for spooky decorations and themed events, with some saying Halloween has become more important than Christmas for sales.
* 36% of shoppers plan to celebrate Halloween this year, up from 27% in 2025.
* Charity shops are seeing increased demand for Halloween costumes, with prices ranging from £1.50 to £12.
* Parents and children can attend workshops that teach them how to create their own costumes and decorations from unwanted textiles and household items.
* The creative habits learned through these workshops can be applied at home, helping families save money on future costume purchases.
* Online groups are also being used for costume swaps, with some people selling their costumes for a quarter of the original price.