Halloween
Retailers Prepare for a Big Halloween
What: Talk about scary — a new survey from the industry firm IBISWorld shows that retailers worldwide expect Halloween sales to reach a record-breaking $6 billion this year, despite the overall economic slump. Although every sector of the Halloween market — including candy, decorations, costumes, and greeting cards are expected to rise, it’s the sugary treats that people are favoring most. Overall sales of Halloween candy are expected to rise by 6.8% this year, while costume sales are expected to bring in $2.12 billion in revenue alone.
What IBISWorld Says:
”Despite more people participating in festivities, money is still tight and consumers will look to cut corners when it comes costume purchases,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “Instead of buying a packaged costume, which can cost up to $60 on average, people will get more eclectic and opt for cheaper individual items.”
What We Say: If there’s one thing we know, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a costume to look great on Halloween. You’re just as likely to find an awesome costume while rummaging through your closets as you are on the racks at one of those Halloween super stores—and the costume you put together yourself will probably be a lot more creative, too. So spend your money wisely this year and prepare to have fun, since from the sounds of it you’ll hardly be celebrating alone on October 31st.
Extreme Budget Halloween Costumes for Couples
Halloween’s almost here, and you and your date have a costume party to go to, and no idea what to wear (and no cash besides). Now what? Get creative, that’s what, and we can help. Here are some couples costume ideas, on the cheap:
Red States and Blue States: One of you dresses head to toe in red, and writes the names of traditionally “red” states in fabric pen on your clothing (or just pins printed-out state names onto yourself), while the other does the same with an all blue ensemble.
Total Cost: $0-$20 (don’t have head to toe red and/or blue? One word: Goodwill).
Amy Winehouse and hubby Blake Fielder-Civil: Some heavy eyeliner, a black beehive wig (available at Target, WalMart, etc. in the Halloween section), drawn on tattoos, and dirty ballet flats for her; a stretched out tank top, messy hair, and black eye for him. Possibly a pair of handcuffs, for good measure. Voila.
Total Cost: $5-$15
Laundry and Static Cling: One of you cuts the bottom out of a cheap laundry basket and fastens it over the shoulders with clothesline, and fills with a few light laundry items; the other wears dark clothing and pins dryer sheets all over (a teased up crazy hairdo will heighten the effect).
Total Cost: $0-$10
Extreme Budget Halloween Costumes
Halloween is almost here, and you’re at a loss for a costume. Not to worry—here are three cheap and easy costumes that will be sure to make you the life—or at least the talk—of the party:
- Sarah Palin. A pair of glasses, a little red suit, some fab heels, and a prom-queen hair-do (we’re sure there are cheap wigs that will suit at Walmart and the like). Carry a pig stuffed animal and a tube of lipstick, or a hockey stick for good measure. If you want to be really creative, tell people you’re Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.
Total cost: Assuming you already have or can borrow the suit and heels (and don’t count out the thrift stores), $0-$25, depending on the price of oil
- The Dow Jones. Get one of those giant chart paper pads with graph paper, draw on some official looking-numbers and a big fat arrow heading downward, cut out a place for your head, and voila—you are the most relevant and potentially depressing character around. For the best effect, carry around some fake dollar bills you can toss at random, so that they flutter uselessly to the ground in your wake . . .
Total cost: $10, depending on the day’s closing loss
- Tabloid Queen. Throw on a short trench coat, big sunglasses (think Mary Kate Olsen), gather one or two tabloid newspapers, and pretend “like your trying hide, while secretly wanting to be noticed.” You can turn this into a couple costume by having your partner act as a member of the paparazzi, your publicist or—if you’re feeling anti-social—your bodyguard.
Total cost: $0.00-$10.00, depending on the size of your headline
Halloween Costumes on a Budget
Freudian Slip. This one is pretty easy. Head to your lingerie drawer or to the nearest Target or Wal-Mart for a full slip (you know the kind your mother told you to wear underneath thin dresses). Using fabric paint, write the words "ego","id", etc all over the slip.
Total cost: $10.00-$15.00, depending on the size of your ego.
More Costumes for the Single Girl
Costumes for Couples
Game Show Host and Pretty Assistant. This is a perfect costume for couples. Go to your nearest thrift store and find the cheesiest, late ’70s/early ’80s polyester, double knit suit ensemble for men, and an ’80s deranged-bridesmaid dress for women. Purchase a children’s play microphone (Targethas some for super- cheap prices). Buy the cheapest hair spray you can find (All Net is good) and tease your hair like you’re from the Jersey shore. Using a piece of cardboard, cut out a star about 8 inches in diameter and glue on gold glitter. Using silver glitter puffy paint, write the word “Grand Prize” in the center of the star.
Total Cost: $20-40.00 for both costumes, depending on whether or not your show is picked-up for another season.
Costumes for Groups
The Seven Deadly Sins. This costume is cheap and easy. Get six friends to go as the other deadly sins: greed, envy, wrath, gluttony, pride and lust. Make sure you choose sloth because it’s the cheapest costume of the seven sins. All you have to do is not wash your hair for two days, roll out of bed in your PJs and you’re are set!
Total Cost: $0, depending on how sinful you’re are willing to get.
More Costumes for Groups
Head to my Target.com
image courtesy of Wikimedia
Budget Fashionista on the TODAY Show
I will be on NBC’s the TODAY show tomorrow presenting fun Halloween costumes on a budget. Check it out or shoot me an email.
Christmas Shopping in October at Macy’s
Last week my new friend Cate and I went shopping around Herald Square (NYC). After spending two hours in H&M looking for “something in the color green,” we headed out into the damp New York streets. Everything was Tokay, until Cate suddenly stopped and shrieked “Please tell me that is not Christmas lights and a Santa Claus display on Macy’s.” Upon examining the 50-foot light display, I replied “Yes, Cate. There is a Santa Claus. Apparently he has set up shop at Macy’s in September.”
So flash forward to this weekend in Minneapolis. I walked by a very well known drug store chain and what do I see . . . Christmas bows mixed in with Halloween candy corn.
Now personally I like to do my Christmas shopping in August, during the end of the season sales. However, I don’t want to see Christmas items on sale before I figure out my Halloween costume.
Retailers . . . at least wait until the candy corn is gone.
Macys image courtesy of ronsaari.com
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