Here are some money saving tips to help you enjoy Halloween a little cheaper.

7)  Do it yourself.  There are lots of costumes and decorations that you can make yourself.  I like this idea because it means that your costume will be unique and not like everyone else’s.  Check out this list of 50 do-it-yourself Halloween ideas.

8)  Look online or in magazines for ideas.  Sometimes I have a hard time getting creative but it’s easier with the help of others.  Some of the sites I like visiting for ideas are Family Fun, Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart.  Family Fun has over 100 costume ideas for kids.

9)  Buy fall decorations rather than ones specifically for Halloween.  Pumpkins, gourds, leaves, scarecrows, and such can be used for both holidays.

10)  Use coupons from craft stores.  Some craft stores have a weekly coupon for 40-50% off one item.  You can use these coupons to get decorations, craft supplies, and costume accessories.

What ways do you save on Halloween?

Stay tuned for more Halloween tips, including ways to save on candy and photo taking tips.  Please check out 10 ways to save on Halloween, Part 1 and Part 2.

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It doesn’t take long for Halloween expenses to add up. Here are some ways to save.

4)  Shop yard sales.  When I moved last year, I had an entire table of holiday decorations.  There were Christmas ornaments and decorations and Halloween costumes.  These unused items frequently turn up at yard sales.

5)  Shop after-season clearance sales.  Of course, it is too early to do this now but when these items go on clearance after Halloween, consider buying some things for next year.  Last year I was able to find some costume accessories for 90% off.

6)  Repurpose an item.  My friend gave me a firefighter costume for my younger son.  It was too big for him but I was able to take the black cape and use it for my older son’s vampire costume.  A simple black cape can go a long way.

What ways do you save on Halloween?

Please stay tuned for part 3 of 10 ways to save on Halloween.  Also, please check out Part 1.

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1)  Check out the selection at close out stores.  One year my husband stopped in a close out store and found Spiderman and Backyardigans costumes for only $5 each.  Those costumes would have cost us at least $40. The kids were thrilled!

2)  Borrow from a friend.  Check with your friends to see if anyone has any costume pieces that you can borrow.  Sometimes you can borrow enough for a whole costume or enough to where you just have to buy a few things.

3)  Purchase unisex costumes for kids.  This was easier when my kids were younger.  One year my daughter dressed in a Disney Pooh Bear costume. Another year she wore a pumpkin costume.  My younger son was able to use both of these costumes when he got older.

Stay tuned for part 2 of ways to save on Halloween.  What ways do you save?

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7)  Grow your own.  It’s a little late in the year for this option, but next year you might want to consider planting some things that you could use for decorating.  Perhaps you could have a garden with pumpkins and gourds.

8)  Take something you have and give it a new purpose.  That plain glass bowl you have would look great if it were filled with water and had autumn colored floating candles inside.  Or fill it will bright red cranberries, water, and floating candles.  Think outside the box and use what you have.

9)  Shop thrift stores, antique malls, consignment stores, and flea markets.  Someone else’s junk is always someone else’s treasure . . . and it’s cheaper too!

10)  Keep it simple.  Rather than decorating the whole room for fall, try a few simple things.  A table centerpiece, wreath, or colored napkins can really liven up a room.  Also, when purchasing items try to buy things that you can use during the whole season.  For instance, it would be better to buy decorations with pumpkins rather than some with jack-o-lanterns and ghosts.  Try accenting with fall colors and other items that can be used throughout the entire season.

What tips do you have for saving money on fall decorating?

You might also want to read Decorating on the Cheap, Part 1 and Part 2.

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4)  Look for sales.  A few years ago, I needed to plan an inexpensive fall craft for our women’s church group.  I found that some craft stores have their fall flowers and accessories 50% off at the start of the season.  I bought bunches of fall flowers and we made fall wreaths.

5)  Check Craigslist or Freecycle. People are constantly getting rid of things and you never know what kind of good deals or free stuff you can find.

6)  Look to nature.  Look around for twigs and beautiful leaves. Purchase some apples.  Check with a local farmer and see if you can cut down some of their corn stalks. 

What ways do you save money on your fall decorating?

You might also want to check out Fall Decorating on the Cheap, Part 1.  Stay tuned this week for part 3 of this series.

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1)  Do it yourself. I’m certainly not the most crafty or creative person, but many times if I can see an idea I can copy it or make it my own.  There’s no need in paying $50-60 for a fall wreath when you can make your own for $15.  Look online for do-it-yourself fall decorating ideas.

2)  Check your closets.  Perhaps those bright yellow sheets or tablecloth can be used for something.  You could make pillows or a tablerunner with your old sheets.

3)  Use the weekly craft store coupon.  Check your local newspaper for craft store coupons. These are usually in the Sunday paper.  You can also sign up online for their newsletter.  Most craft stores will send coupons and sale information via email.

Stay tuned for more inexpensive fall decorating tips.  What ways do you save money on your fall decorating?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

You will need: 

yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped nuts
2 sticks butter
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup Cool Whip

Mix together items from list 1 (list at the top).  Line 9×12 baking dish with waxed paper.  Pour mixture into dish.  Pour 1 box yellow cake mix over mixture.  Pat gently.  Sprinkle 1 cup chopped nuts over cake.  Melt 2 sticks butter and pour over nuts.  Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.  Allow cake to cool.  Invert onto plate.

For topping, mix together 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup of Cool Whip.

Here’s another version of this recipe.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Annie’s Home Page – coloring pages, stories, games, links to other sites, and craft ideas.  Annie linked me to some other great sites.

Enchanted Learning – crafts, decorations, printouts, worksheets, and activities.  Cute craft ideas.  I used one them with my 4 year old preschool class last week.

DLTK’s Growing Together – craft ideas, templates, songs and poems, book suggestions, printables, games, recipes, worksheets, and more. 

Kaboose/Kids Domain – thanksgiving place holders, corn collage, turkey gloves, place mats, and more! (Also fall crafts, fall coloring pages, Thanksgiving coloring pages, online games,and more!  They even have a section just for moms.) 

Bry-Back Manor - activity pages, coloring pages, patterns, recipes, holiday activities, and more! 

Billy Bear 4 Kids – stationery, coloring pages, craft ideas, online games, and more.

Family Fun – craft projects include list of materials, directions, picture of completed item, and approximate time period needed for each project.  Also included are recipes, thanksgiving printables, ideas for decorations, and more. 

Better Homes & Gardens - Thanksgiving coloring pages, homemade card ideas, making place mats and place cards, ideas for cooking with kids, and more.

Martha Stewart – ideas for the kids’ table, finger puppet favors, and place cards.  This is Martha Stewart, so I’m sure there are some good recipes too. 

123Holiday.net – Thanksgiving history, timeline, songs, crafts, and recipes.

I hope you found some great ideas to use with the kids.  I certainly have used a lot of ink tonight printing some things I plan on using.

Have you found any great Thanksgiving sites you would like to share? 

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