An impressive 68 million Americans will dress in costume this Halloween, and some 49 million will host or attend a Halloween party, according to the National Retail Federation.
If you’re one of the millions who will be hosting a party for your friends and family, things can get scary — for your wallet, that is. Between the food and the decorations, prices can really start to add up.
Looking for ways to save on your Oct. 31 bash? Follow these tips to ensure you won’t overspend, as we show you how to divide your spending across each party category — all for a budget under $100.
Finger Food: $28.76
To manage the potentially costly expense of feeding your frightful guests, stick to finger foods. If you hold your get-together later in the evening, your ghouls and goblins likely will have already eaten dinner.
Examples of relatively affordable snacks include potato chips, veggie trays, cookies, sodas and bowls of fruit punch. Save money on utensils by using forks, cups and plates that you already have at home.
Let everyone pick a favorite snack with the Frito-Lay classic chips mix 20-count multipack from Amazon for $6.98 (eligible for free shipping for Prime members). Then, head over to Kmart, where a 24-pack of 12-ounce Dr. Pepper soda cans will also cost $6.98.
And you can’t forget about the candy. Stock up on some affordably priced bags of chocolate and sweets to satisfy both your guests and the trick-or-treaters. At Wal-Mart, the Hershey’s candy 30-count variety pack is $4.86. Or up your game with the Hershey’s candy 95-count assortment for $9.94.
Creepy Costume: $11.50
Next up is your disguise. After all, it wouldn’t be a Halloween party without a costume, and the host or hostess can’t afford to be underdressed.
We headed to discount superstore Wal-Mart for this party essential, where we found the monarch butterfly adult Halloween costume one sale for $11.50 (regularly $24.97). For even less, you can get the ’80s wild child women’s costume on sale for $8.
If that’s still more than you’re willing to spend on your costume, it’s possible not to pay a dime. Reuse a costume from last year, or put together pieces from your wardrobe for an ultra-affordable look. This can be as simple as cutting holes in a sheet to be a ghost or throwing on your old ’90s clothes for a hipster look.
Spooky Scene Setters: $38.33
Once you have yourself decorated, you’ll need to decorate your house, too. These are our choices for some must-have scene setters:
— For use indoors or outdoors, pick up the white super stretch spider web pack from Spirit Halloween for $6.99.
— Light up your party with festive orange mini lights. Target sells a 100-count pack for $3.50.
— For all the carving fun without the messy cleanup, stock up on the 13-inch Ashland foam pumpkin from Michaels. These decorations cost $5.99 each, so we’ll assume you’ll buy three for $17.97.
— Opt for glow sticks as a party favor. At Amazon, the 8-inch LumiStick glow bracelets in mixed colors come in a tube of 100 for $9.87.
For your decorations — and any other party purchase you make, for that matter — we recommend cross-comparing prices online, then shopping in-store to avoid being hit with shipping charges. Or, if you can, bundle all your items from one store to qualify for a retailer’s free shipping minimum online.
After you buy the essentials, don’t forget to accent your party with things you can make for free. For instance, write spooky messages on pieces of paper for guests to read as they walk around your house, and dim the lights for a haunting effect.
Eerie Entertainment: $10.50
No Halloween party is complete without some entertainment. If you’re operating on a budget, start by using what you have. Hook up your iPod and throw on the “Monster Mash” for a karaoke battle. Pop in an old DVD to see who’s the best at scary movie trivia. Wrap each other up in toilet paper for a mummy costume-making contest.
If you don’t have enough of your own supplies to keep the party going all night long, pick at least one entertainment area to spend on, but keep it affordable. One popular idea is a pumpkin-decorating contest.
The pumpkin decorating craft kit from Oriental Trading can decorate 12 pumpkins and costs $5.25. Kits contain self-adhesive foam faces that can be applied directly to pumpkins. Purchase two so you’ll have enough for everyone at your monster bash.
Grand Total: $89.09
All in all, this Halloween party will run you approximately $89.09 — the cost of a good time not included.
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How to Host a Halloween Party Under $100 originally appeared on usnews.com
