Halloween season is just around the corner, and you want to find all the goods that will help you celebrate in style. That includes the Halloween decorations, costumes, and of course the candy. Where are you going to find the best Halloween items this year, for the best price? Here's what's on offer this year, and where to find it.
When to Start Shopping for Halloween?
Firstly, you need to know exactly when you should start shopping. When are those Halloween sections going to pop up in your local stores, and when will they have the best merchandise in?
Typically, many stores will start bringing in Halloween goods during the summer. Yes, it does feel strange to be looking for spooky season goods when it's still hot outside, but it never hurts to be prepared. The sooner you've bought everything you need, the sooner you can start enjoying the season. Different stores bring in their goods at different times, so here's a list of the biggest suppliers and when to start checking them out:
June:
At Home: The Halloween collection will be in-store only.
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores: Perfect for any Halloween fabrics that you'll need.
Zulily: Online only.
July:
Bath and Body Works
Hallmark
Cracker Barrel
Big Lots
Grandin Road: Online only.
Jane.com: Online only.
Kohl's
Stein Mart: Online only.
Michaels
Target: Online preorders will open.
Yankee Candle
Tuesday Morning: Online only.
August:
Burlington: In-store only.
Crate and Barrel
Home Depot
Home Goods: In-store only.
Kirkland's Home
Lowes
Marshall's: In-store only
Pier One: Online only.
Dollar stores: Stores like 99 Cents Only, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar will start stocking now.
Grocery stores: Again, this is when your local grocery stores will start getting their Halloween stock.
Pottery Barn
Sur la Table
TJMaxx
Trader Joe's: In-store only.
World Market
Williams Sonoma
Ross Dress For Less: In-store only
Target – Bullseye's Playground: Check the dollar section at the front of the store.
Spirit Halloween: Opening dates will depend on leases, so check your local store online.
September
Daiso
Party City
Halloween Express
Halloween City
Target: In-store décor will show up at this time.
Walmart
You can see that you can start shopping quite early, so you can spread out your Halloween spending and get what you need when you need it.
Year Round Halloween Shopping
“If you're really excited for Halloween, then you don't have to wait for June for the goods to start showing up. There are plenty of dedicated stores that are open year-round that you can peruse” says Hannah
Thomson, a writer at Essay Writing Service. The best part is that they're small businesses, so you'll be shopping more ethically. Here are just a few sites and stores that you'll want to check out:
Toxic Coffin: Horror-themed t-shirts
Greywacke Lane: Spooky candles perfect for Halloween décor
Backstitch Bruja: Halloween-themed apparel and accessories
Odd Like Us: Apparel and accessories
Darling Ghoul: Lots of Halloween-themed goods
Verona Black: Gothic Halloween accessories
What Should Be on Your Shopping List?
You know when the stores will have their Halloween stock in, so what should you be going in to buy? It will very much depend on you, what you already have in your home, and what you'll need this year. Here's what you should be looking out for:
Halloween costumes: Of course, you can't have Halloween without a good costume. Look out for outfits that your kids will love, and anything in the adult's costume so you can join in on the fun too. Don't forget the makeup remover to get any face paint off at the end of the night, as well as a pail to collect any treats.
Halloween decorations: Whether you just want to decorate the front door or you want to create a full-on haunted house, you're going to need some décor. The quintessential pumpkin is going to be your go-to
decoration. Also, look out for fall-scented candles, lanterns, window decals, fake spider webs, tombstones, and anything else that catches your eye.
Pumpkin carving accessories: If you don't have dedicated pumpkin carving tools, now's the time to invest in some. You can find dedicated carving tools in stores, better to make the carving process safer for little ones. Grab some battery-operated LED candles for them too, so you can leave the pumpkins lit up safely. Don't forget the trash bags to clean up the insides, and cleaning supplies to clean up afterward.
Party food: If you're having a party, then you're going to need some Halloween-themed treats. Stores will have lots of Halloween goods so you can pick them up directly, or you can grab some Halloween cookie cutters, food dye, and cupcake liners so you can make them yourself.
Trick or treating treats: You're going to need some candy for the kids who come to the door, so make sure you have the best ones on the block. Get a mix of candy, including some allergy-free foods. Having some small toys for kids with allergies always goes down well, too.
Party goods: If you're holding a party, you'll need some supplies to make it go off with a bang. For kids, things like prize bags, activities like pumpkin decoration, and temporary tattoos are always fun. Get in some Halloween-themed plates and cups for the party food, and ensure you have a spooky playlist on in the background.
Money-Saving Tips for Halloween Shopping
Ready to hit the stores and buy up all their Halloween merch? As tempting as it is, you won't be able to go out there and splash the cash. Here are some tips to help you get everything you need while saving money.
Make a list: The very first thing you should do is go through your Halloween items and see what you have already. It's so easy to go into the stores and start buying everything you think you need, only to find that you already have it at home. If you do that, it's simply a waste of money. Instead, check what you have already, and then make a list of what you're looking for. For example, if you already have plenty of décors, maybe you just need one or two pieces to improve it. If you don't have any pumpkin carving tools, you can grab them this year. Make your list, and then stick to it.
Set a budget: Now you have a list, set a budget that you're willing to spend on your Halloween shopping. That budget is going to look different for everyone, so consider exactly how much you're willing to spend when you hit the stores. It's often a good idea to budget some money for impulse buys, as you'll often see something you love that you didn't know you needed. If you do that though, ensure you do not impulse buy anything over $5.
Find coupons: You'll be amazed at how many coupons you'll find available specifically for Halloween shopping. They will start showing up online and in publications in the summer, so make sure you're keeping an eye out and collecting them as soon as you see them. Look online for Halloween coupons as well as in store-specific magazines and newsletters. When you collect coupons ahead of time, you can save more money than you'd think.
Hit the dollar stores first: You'll be amazed at what the dollar stores have in store for you. They often have great quality goods and are especially great for kid's activities and other crafty items. As such, make sure you start your shopping there. It's better to buy something at the dollar store cheaper than go to another store first and spend more than you need to.
Don't buy more than you can store: This is the golden rule when it comes to Halloween shopping. There's lots of amazing stuff out there, but you don't want to buy more than you have room for. If you do have your heart set on one item and you know you won't have space, can you sell some other Halloween items to get what you need? That way, you'll have space and some extra cash to use in your shopping.
Now you're all set for your Halloween shopping. You'll be able to get everything you need and save money too.
Jenny Han is a writer and editor, who focuses on money-saving advice for families.
