No American is a stranger to the recession. Jobs and businesses are dying, the economy is flat lining. It seems the dead are walking the earth even before All Hallow's Eve. Stranger than the nation's frightful economy, however, are its inhabitants bleeding their bank accounts for the upcoming holiday… Halloween.
According to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation, Americans plan to spend $6.86 billion on Halloween this year. That ghoulish number includes:
- $2.21 billion on costumes ($1.21 billion on adult costumes--beware the skanky nurses and dead presidents--and a billion for the kiddies)
- $310 million on costumes for pets (Apparently pumpkin getups for the Pomeranian are just too cute to pass up.)
It's alarming to think that the average Halloween partier will spend $72.31 this year on candy, decorations and costumes. I mean, candy is pretty sweet, but that's an expensive toothache. And as far as costumes go, Walmart is known for cheap wares, but $35 for girls to look like Cookie Monster once is a little crazy--plus, I'm pretty sure Cookie didn't wear leg warmers.
This year, try making your own costumes. You'll spend far less than buying retail and you won't have to worry about showing up to the party dressed in the same $700 Storm Trooper costume as someone else. Last year for just eight bucks, I hit up Goodwill for some frumpy duds, suspenders and hair dye to dress as a decrepit, ol' geezer. Here are some other cheap ideas from our resident budget party animal, Cody.
Still not sold? Check out these even cheaper ideas from Adam Sandler.
Cheap Halloween Costumes by Adam Sandler by Capig
Don't let Adam's silly tone fool you. These actually work. One year I went as Crazy Pickle Arm Guy. Oh yes, something as simple as a kosher dill sticking out of your sleeve is enough to secure bagfuls of Snickers bars.
--Chris
Photo taken from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.
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