Halloween Candy: to Splurge or to Save?

Halloween has always been big business in Canada, though the pandemic has since stifled traditional celebration methods. The average Canadian will spend roughly $45 per bag of candy and $169 on Halloween-themed parties—but not this time around.

Nowadays, nobody wants to go into credit card debt over Halloween candy for fewer trick-or-treaters. However, there is still ample room for smaller-scale spooky festivities without cashing out on budget-gobbling expenses.

Where Does All the Halloween Money Go?

Halloween isn’t a national holiday, nor is it genuinely a holiday in itself. Yet, 68% of adult Canadian will celebrate it. Among one of the most expensive times of the year, a typical Halloween party will cost:

• $77 for attendance
• $55 for alcoholic beverages
• $52 for costumes
• $48 for entertainment
• $43 on decorations
• $42 on candy

Where to Save on Halloween Products

When it comes to Halloween, ghosts and ghouls aren’t the only sources of fear trick-or-treaters might encounter. Spending can get frighteningly out of control. Take this opportunity to save on these costly Halloween goods.

1. Costumes

eCommerce stores and retail shops aren’t the only places to browse hair-raising Halloween outfits. Second-hand stores and thrift markets are just as rife with creative looks at a fraction of the price.

2. Decorations

2020 is the year of DIY. Some Halloween decorations are over-the-top but not worth the buck. Craigslist is an excellent site to consult for cheaper Halloween items. Plus, the second-hand market is typically a goldmine for hidden gems. Consider renting larger pieces rather than purchasing them.

3. Candy

Young trick-or-treaters will always aim for a generous handful of candy. However, they aren’t likely to consume their entire haul, nor should they. Handing out fun-sized sweets can replace full bars that are packed with sugar. Purchase these bite-sized confections at the dollar store instead of the market to avoid overspending.

Where to Splurge on Halloween Candy

There is some room to spend a little more on Halloween goodies that will save you more in the long run and be worth adding value to the upcoming ghostly ball.

1. Makeup

A pop of ghoulish makeup can make all the difference when it comes to a stand-out Halloween look. Costumes aren’t all about fake blood and clip-on vampire teeth. Nowadays, YouTubers demonstrate their long-learned skills through stunning Halloween makeup with nothing other than a brush and a bit of eyeshadow.

2. Entertainment

What’s a party without entertainment? Amp up value by hiring a DJ, singer, or magician to perform awe-inducing tricks throughout the night.

Conclusion

There are dozens of ways to save on Halloween expenses each year, whether by paring down on candy allocation, reusing costumes, swapping decorations with friends and family, or dedicating a holiday component to the yearly budget. Halloween need not be extravagant. In most cases, a spooky tale by the fireplace will do—or a horror film screening.

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