A Halloween your bank will Love!

Halloween can be expensive. Once you’ve brought the makeup and the outfit (and maybe the wig), it can come up to £30-£50.

I know that I, as a student, could never afford that. You can find Halloween stuff in Poundland, but it’s very bad quality and lasts a grand total of five minutes (and let’s not forget to mention the break outs that will follow in the coming days). So, how can you do Halloween on a budget?

Upcycle old clothes. If someone in your household has a large t-shirt they don’t mind sacrificing, it could become a little black dress for your Marilyn Monroe outfit. Your old school shirts could be splattered with ketchup or paint and become the outfit you were wearing when you got bitten by a zombie. You’d be surprised by what you can create with some simple arts and crafts.
  Charity shops. I’ve found some proper gems in charity shops - both for everyday wear and Halloween. If you don’t want to ruin your clothes for the sake of a costume, you can find t-shirts, trousers and jackets in charity shops for between 50p and £5. Plus, your money is going to a good cause.
 Ask your friends. If you know a friend who treats Halloween like a religious holiday, they might have an old costume they don’t mind lending you. Equally, if you know a friend with a lot of siblings or a large household, they’ll probably have one laying idle somewhere.
 Use your imagination.  If you’re completely stuck for what to do, just have a good ol’ stare at your wardrobe. You an orange dress that inspires a Lisa Simpson look. I managed to turn a red jumpsuit into a David Bowie look. You might find that you don’t have to spend a single penny.
 Plan in advance. Stuff around Halloween is ridiculously expensive and costs a lot - after all, it is a selling opportunity. Costume makeup at any other time of the year will be less expensive. It’s also worth keeping an eye out in charity shops at any time of year for any potential DIY jobs or costume additions.

One of the most important things to remember as well is that your costume doesn’t have to be amazing. Some people will spend lots of money and time on theirs but it doesn’t mean you should feel bad if you don’t. Not everyone is in the position to break the bank.

On the other hand, it’s also important to remember not to get jealous or annoyed at those who do. I’ve been at parties where people have got very shady at those who went all out - don’t. Halloween for some is the most important night of the year. It’s different for everyone.

The most important thing is to stay safe, have fun and get as many sweets as you can.

​Jazz