Written by Kayla Delaney
The spookiest season of the year has arrived, bringing with it the opportunity to have a blast with your friends, society, or flatmates. Be it dressing up in a fun costume or throwing a party for the ages, you’ll be making memories that last a lifetime. However, celebrating as a student can be tricky —things cost money, and we need to save where we can.
But fear not, mortals: here are some budgeting hacks for a happy Halloween!
For the Party
The best Budget Halloween decorations mean getting crafty —grab some scissors, paper, pens, pencils, used cans, jugs, jars, and maybe some paint, and be creative!
First, try some origami —most guides are available online, and all you need is a single piece of paper and the willingness to learn. You can create almost anything by folding up paper and adding some eyes. These decorations work best indoors —British October weather and paper don’t tend to mix very well.
Another fun trick is using bin bags. You can cut them into shapes, tear them up and hang them in strips, or simply spread them over the surfaces for easy clean-up. One of my favourite ideas is cutting the bin bags into spider webs and sticking them in corners for a spooky effect.
You can also clean and recycle materials to make decorations —grab some orange paint, a Sharpie and some string and you can make some pumpkin bunting! With black paint and pipe cleaners, you can create a wicked spider. Or, use black or silver paint and glow sticks to make some spooky, glowing cauldrons. The possibilities are endless.
An exciting, affordable way to get all your guests involved is to do a potluck —find out people’s dietary needs and allergies, and then ask people to bring whatever dishes and treats they can make (within those requirements) and ‘spook-ify’. For baked goods, some melted chocolate, food dye, and Ziplock bags make for a variety of decoration options.
Buying things is okay too —there’s a limit to DIY, especially with a busy university schedule. When you do buy supplies, try to avoid name brands; supermarket-brand items might not taste the same, but they’re just as good on a student budget.
There are also plenty of free games that you can play, perfect for both kids and adults. Musical statues, charades, card games, and whatever else you can think of or makeup. You don’t need to spend a lot on games to have a good time!
For the Costumes
One of the easiest ways to create a great Budget Halloween costume is to think about who or what you might already resemble —with options for different hair colours, eye colours, body types, and styles, there are plenty of characters that are easily mimicable —just do a bit of research and find the one that suits you!
Some characters have costumes that can be done on a budget. cut a few holes in a shirt, and you’ve got Regina George’s cut-out vest. Grab a cheap green tracksuit, and you’re ready for Squid Game. Even the generic ones are super easy —put on some shorts and a blanket around you, and you’re a superhero! Halloween costumes rarely need to be elaborate; sometimes the simpler ones are easier to manage throughout the evening. Keep it simple!
The key is to rummage through your closet —see what you already have that could work for a costume, or what you can edit to make it more suitable. Scissors and creativity go a long way but, be careful of what you tailor —make sure it’s something you don’t mind ruining or something you have a spare of. If you borrow something from someone else, do not make alterations without permission!
Makeup can go a long way —adding some hair and makeup effects can make you look even more convincing as a vampire, witch, or zombie. There are plenty of recipes to make food-safe fake blood too, mostly with water, red food dye, and a bit of sugar, corn syrup, or cornstarch.
Most of all, don’t panic —everyone is here to dress up, have fun, and enjoy their night. Your costume will not make or break your evening, or anyone else’s Halloween spirit.
So, Happy Budget Halloween, and have a wicked time, everyone!
To read another article about a holiday: go here.
Written by Kayla Delaney, Edited by Thomas Pemberton-Marsh, Photography by Matheus Bertelli, Published by Paige Tamasi