Midstate families turn to thrift stores to cut Halloween costume costs amid inflation
With inflation straining household budgets, families are finding creative ways to celebrate Halloween without breaking the bank.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A recent survey by Capital One reported that American households spent an average of nearly $110 on Halloween supplies last year. But with high prices on essentials, some families say spending that much this year isn’t feasible.
Parents like Tiffany Hunt are among the many who feel the pressure to balance Halloween fun with financial responsibility.
“You don’t have to have the lavish, most expensive costume to have a great time,” said Hunt, who shopped at Goodwill in Bellevue for her children’s costumes.
Hunt said it’s important to prioritize household essentials over temporary expenses like costumes.
“There’s no sense in us parents stressing, getting the kids the best of the top, when they would be okay with something lower,” she said. “And you don’t have to worry about what to feed your child.”
Many last-minute shoppers at Goodwill echoed the same sentiment. Jenny Revell said expensive costumes aren’t always practical.
“I don’t love to spend a bunch of money on a costume that I’m literally going to wear for two hours,” she said. “I figured, I’d just come to Goodwill.”
Goodwill offers a variety of Halloween costumes and accessories at significantly lower prices than retail stores. For example, WSMV found a children’s turtle costume priced at $50 online at Goodwill for $7.99, while a Princess Peach dress, retailing for $70, sold for just $5.99 at the Bellevue store.
Goodwill’s 2024 Halloween survey highlights shifting consumer behavior, with nearly three-quarters of shoppers reporting that inflation has affected their Halloween spending. In response, about 60% of participants said they are more likely to buy materials from thrift stores this year.
“You could get a full costume under $50, and that’s really all you need for a night of fun,” said shopper Lethabo Mogale.
Revell said, “I can find something for two or three bucks, wear it once, and then re-donate it.”
For Hunt, this approach made all the difference in finding an affordable option for her daughter’s costume.
“We needed a white hoodie to put fake blood on, and I can’t go buy a brand-new hoodie just to stain it,” she said. “This one was $6.99 plus tax.”
As more families turn to secondhand stores, they are proving that it’s possible to celebrate Halloween without overspending — making the holiday a little less scary for their wallets.
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