Save money on Halloween costumes for kids with these tips for families in Champaign-Urbana.
The cost of Halloween doesn’t have to be scary in Champaign-Urbana. We share our best money saving tips to costume your boo crew in style.
Thanks to our friends at CIBM Bank for presenting this guide.
Fall in the Midwest is magical. We want you spend all your fun money on FUN, not your banking relationship.
Stop paying a monthly service fee, earn interest and receive ATM refunds with Acceleration CheckingSM from CIBM Bank.
The cost of Halloween costumes can be downright frightening! With the average person spending about $75 on costumes each year, it’s safe to say, Halloween can be pretty scary on the pocketbook.
Champaign-Urbana Metro Area Halloween Events and Activities | Where to Trunk or Treat in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond | Haunted Houses & Where to Get Scared in Champaign-Urbana | Kids Eat Free on Halloween: Deals Around Champaign-Urbana and Beyond | Area Trick or Treat Hours
Luckily, we have some money-saving tips to help you enjoy this magically, spooky holiday without any fear. (Well, financial fears that is- the other kind of fear is just part of the Halloween fun!)
Champaign Park District’s Halloween Costume Drive and Exchange– A great way to clean out your closet and make way for a new to you costume! The Costume Drive: Runs September 16 – October 18, with drop off at any Champaign Park District facility or at any Champaign-Urbana Busey Bank location. The Costume Giveaway: One day only, Saturday, October 19, Douglass Community Center,Champaign. **All costumes are FREE and people don’t need to contribute in order to take a costume. **- Goodwill, Consignment shops, One Week Boutique-One Week Boutique’s Fall sale was in early September, but you can still shop Goodwill and area consignment shops to find gently used, affordable costumes. In addition to Goodwill stores in Champaign and Savoy, there are several consignment shops in the Champaign Urbana area.
- Raid Your Closets– Recycle past costumes and hand down the classics that are always cool to younger siblings. Or “piece” a costume together from items you already have. For instance, my daughter has an apron and a chef’s hat. She would make a really cute chef for Halloween! Kids into 90’s style? Your old high school artifacts are always a good time, or at least good for a laugh while your kids say “pass.”
- Work Your Network and Trade with Friends– Put social media to good use and announce your search for a certain costume. There’s a good chance one of your friends will have what you need. When I was desperate to find a Mike to go with a Sully, I worked my Social Media platforms, and had a dear friend ship a costume from California.
- The I.D.E.A. Store– If you’re into the DIY thing and Pinterest is your passion, you should definitely check out the The I.D.E.A. Store in Urbana. It’s full of an amazing collection of unique materials perfect for any crafting project imaginable. By the way, making your own costume doesn’t have to be complicated. I don’t consider myself a crafty person, but one of my favorite Halloween costumes I ever made was a Rubik’s Cube. All it took was a box, spray paint, and colored paper to pull that costume off.
- Local Garage Sale Websites– I have found some amazing deals on furniture and other items on these sites. People from around the area sell all kinds of things, including kids’ Halloween costumes, so check those out too!
More ways to create a Halloween Costume on a Budget:
How to Save Money on Halloween Costumes | Readers Recommend: 9 Tips to Piece Together a Halloween Costume in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond | 4 Ways to {Significantly} Cut Costs on Halloween Costumes