Halloween
Do you need some inspiration for Halloween costumes or decorations? Simply want to survive the harrowing holiday? You can find plenty of spooky ideas here.
13 Cheap and Simple Halloween Ghost Decorations
First carved pumpkins appear in the neighborhood. Then you start noticing paper bats, plastic spiders, and spiderwebs in the stores. Halloween is approaching! Can’t wait to get into the Halloween vibe? Why not begin your spooky preparations with some Halloween ghost decorations?
But Halloween shopping can cost a lot and you may be concerned about the amount of money you’re spending this Halloween. In 2017, the National Retail Federation estimated that 72% Americans will spend $2.7 billion dollars on decorations. That’s a frightening fortune!
But there are lots of ways to cut down on your costs this Halloween. One way is to make your own Halloween decorations.
If you’re finding the amount of choice for DIY Halloween decorations a bit overwhelming, why not start by focusing on one type of decoration? Here, we’ll give you 13 ghoulish Halloween ghost decorations, complete with a shopping list for each one.
Cheap and Simple Halloween Ghost Decorations Shopping Dos and Don’ts
Before you start your Halloween shopping, here are some tips to help you out.
Don’ts
Don’t head to a Halloween-themed store as your first shopping destination if you have still plenty of time before the celebrations. Only go there if you really can’t find what you want anywhere else. The prices there are usually much higher than in other stores, such as supermarkets, where you can find the same or similar items.
Dos
Do plan your Halloween decorations shopping with a shopping list. You can even use a shopping list app, like Listonic, which is full of handy features like your shopping list with others. A shopping list will help you keep track of the products you bought and those you still need to buy, meaning fewer missed items and duplicates.
Do use a shopping list to you plan your expenses. There are estimated prices for each decoration at the end of each shopping list so you can be aware of how much each decoration will cost. You can also use a shopping list app with a to help you keep track of your spending when doing your shopping.
Do check out online auction sites like eBay.com, eBid.net, or Bonanza.com for materials. There’s plenty to choose from and the items you can find there are sometimes much cheaper and more unique to what you might find in stores.
Do visit a consignment store if you do any Halloween shopping at the last minute. The choice may be limited but you can still find some wicked accessories for your home decorations.
Do shop for pre-made Halloween decorations late. This way, you’ll save yourself money as most stores offer big discounts just before Halloween on items that aren’t popular and haven’t sold well. Use the opportunity to buy decorations for next Halloween, too.
#1 Cheesecloth Balloon Ghost
Creating one is pretty simple. Follow these steps:
- Inflate a white balloon
- Attach the balloon to a plastic bottle. The size of the bottle depends on the height you want for the ghost.
- Fill the bottle with a transparent liquid such as water so that the ghost stays in place
- Prepare pieces of cheesecloth to cover the balloon. It’s best when the cheesecloth is crumpled, frayed, and torn.
- Cover the balloon with cheesecloth, using pieces of double-sided adhesive tape to make the cheesecloth stick to it
- Cut out some eyes and a mouth using black paper and glue them to the ghost
Instead of inflating the balloons with air, you may use helium gas. This way, your ghost won’t need the support of a plastic bottle and will float on its own.
Cheesecloth Balloon Ghost Shopping List
- White balloon (from $1)
- Plastic bottle (from $1)
- Cheesecloth (from $3)
- Double-sided adhesive tape (from $3)
- Black paper (from $2)
Total: $11
#2 Floating Ghost
You may use the balloon ghost to create a similar kinds of Halloween ghost decorations: floating ghosts.
- Attach two plastic bottles of the same size to the left hand and right hand side of an inflated balloon
- Put some cheesecloth directly on top of the balloon
- Spray the cheesecloth with fabric stiffener
- Leave for 24 hours to dry
- Remove the balloon and the bottles from under the cheesecloth. When placed directly on the table, it’ll create the illusion of a floating ghost.
Instead of buying fabric stiffener, you can make your own. Mix a half cup of white glue with a half cup of water and stir until it’s the consistency of milk. You’ll need to immerse the fabric in the mixture and then place it on the balloon.
Floating Ghost Shopping List
- White balloon (from $1)
- Plastic bottles (from $1)
- Cheesecloth (from $3)
- Double-sided adhesive tape (from $3)
- Black paper (from $2)
- Fabric stiffener (from $4)
Total: $14
#3 Hanging Ghost
Another variation of the cheesecloth balloon ghost is a hanging ghost.
- Inflate a white balloon
- Tie a piece of string to the balloon
- Make a small hole in a piece of cheesecloth and thread the string through it to cover the balloon with the fabric
- Hang the ghost from the ceiling
You won’t need to glue the cheesecloth to the balloon as it will stay in place because the string is threaded through the cheesecloth.
Hanging Ghost Shopping List
- White balloon (from $1)
- Cheesecloth (from $3)
- String (from $1)
Total: $5
#4 Cloche Jar Ghost
This is an elegant way to decorate your house with Halloween ghost decorations.
- Find a big glass cloche
- Fill it with cotton wool
- Cut out some eyes and a mouth using a sheet of black paper
- Stick the eyes and the mouth to the cloche with double-sided adhesive tape
- Put it on a cake stand
Jar Ghost Shopping List
- Glass cloche (from $10)
- Cotton wool (from $1)
- Sheet of black paper (from $2)
- Double-sided adhesive tape (from $3)
Total: $16
#5 Milk Jug Ghost
Quick, easy, and cheap, especially as you’ll probably have a plastic milk jug in your house. If you go through a lot of milk, you can start saving these early on. Just don’t forget to clean them thoroughly our you might get a frightful pong from them!
- Find and clean an empty plastic milk jug
- Draw a scary face on it using a black marker
- Put a glow stick, flashlight, or fairy lights inside
Milk Jug Ghost Shopping List
- Empty plastic juice or milk bottle (from $3)
- Black marker (from $1)
- Glow stick, flashlight, or fairy lights (from $3)
Total: $7
#6 White Candle Ghost
These are simple Halloween ghost decorations you can add to your dining table at your party. Amuse and spook your guests with these cheap and easy candles.
- Use a white candle
- Create some eye and a mouth using a black marker
White Candle Ghost Shopping List
- White candle (from $2)
- Black marker (from $1)
Total: $3
#7 Lollipop Ghost
Create some scary lollipops this Halloween season, either as a treat or as Halloween ghost decorations.
- Cover a lollipop with a white tissue
- Secure the tissue by tying a ribbon around the lollipop
- Draw some eyes and a mouth on the tissue using a black marker
Instead of a tissue, you may use a white coffee filter.
Lollipop Ghost Shopping List
- Lollipop (from $3)
- White tissue (from $1.50)
- Ribbon (from $1.50)
- Black marker (from $1)
Total: $7
#8 Leaf Ghost
Make use of the falling leaves from the trees and recycle them for Halloween ghost decorations. You can also make collecting the leaves part of the Halloween fun with your family, by seeing who can find the biggest, bestest, leaf!
- Find a leaf and cover it with white paint
- Use a black marker to draw a face on it or attach some googly eyes
Hang the leaves you’ve found on a clothesline and use white spray paint. This will not only ensure an even coating of paint on the leaves, but means they’re less likely to break when painting them.
Leaf Ghost Shopping List
- White paint (from $2)
- Black marker or googly eyes (from $1)
Total: $3
#9 Coffee Filter Ghost
This is a good option if you had little time to prepare or even think about decorating your home for Halloween. It’s also a cheap, quick, and fun idea for a kids’ craft.
- Take a coffee filter and draw a face with a black marker on it
- Turn the filter upside down and make it into a cone shape
You may thread a string through the top of the ghost and hang it from a plant in your home or a dry branch that you put inside a tall vase.
Coffee Filter Ghost Shopping List
- White coffee filters (from $3)
- Black marker (from $1)
Total: $4
#10 Paper Hanging Ghost
It’s a very last minute option but an effective one! It’s great fun for kids to make, too.
- Take a black marker and draw a simple ghost’s face on a white sheet of paper
- Draw the shape of its head
- Make the lower part of the ghost a spiral
- Take scissors and cut out the ghost, including cutting out the spiral
- Glue string to the ghost’s head
- Hang it wherever you like
Paper Hanging Ghost Shopping List
- Black marker (from $1)
- White paper (from $2)
- Glue (from $1)
- String (from $1)
Total: $5
#11 Plastic Cup Ghost
You’ll probably already be using a lot of plastic cups for your Halloween party, so why not use some of them to create Halloween ghost decorations.
- Take a white plastic cup
- Draw some eyes and a mouth on the cup using a black marker
You may place the ghost on the table or create a garland out of it. For the latter you’ll need string to thread it through the cups. Additionally, you may glue a couple of strips of tissue paper to the cup, to make the ghost even more ghost-like.
Plastic Cup Ghost Shopping List
- White plastic cup (from $3)
- Black marker (from $1)
Total: $4
#12 Lamp Shade Ghost
Transform cheap or old lamp shades into Halloween ghost decorations. This is a good way of reusing an item you may no longer need, making this decoration eco-friendly too.
- Find an old lamp shade in a neutral colour such as white or beige
- Draw a face on it with a black marker or cut the eyes and the mouth from black paper and glue it to the lamp shade
- Place a flashlight or fairy lights underneath it
Lamp Shade Ghost Shopping List
- Lamp shade (from $1)
- Black marker (from $1)
- Black paper (from $2)
- Glue (from $1)
- Flashlight or fairy lights (from $3)
Total: $8
#13 Trash Bag Ghost
Why not create extra cheap, homemade Halloween ghost decorations which also make sounds?
- Use a white trash bag
- Hold the bag upside down
- Place a white balloon or a messy ball made of other white plastic bags underneath the bag
- Attach the ball to the bag using double-sided adhesive tape
- Draw a ghost’s face with a black marker or glue the one that you cut out of black paper
- Attach some string to the bag and hang it outside close to a window
If it’s windy the bag will make spooky noises and will move like a ghost!
Trash Bag Ghost Shopping List
- White trash bag (from $4)
- White balloon (from $6)
- Double-sided adhesive tape (from $3)
- Black marker (from $1)
- Black paper (from $2)
- String (from $1)
Total: $17
Have a Fa-BOO-lous Halloween!
Remember, creating Halloween ghost decorations should be fun. Even if they don’t turn out perfect, focus on enjoying yourself whilst making them. Grab your family and have your kids help you in making them, or use this opportunity to spend time with your friends while preparing these spectral centrepieces.
Happy Halloween!
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13 Cheap Halloween Costumes for Less Than $50/£40
The leaves are turning yellow and orange. The air is getting chillier. It can only mean one thing: Winter Halloween is coming. If you’re going to, or throwing your own, Halloween costume party, you’ll want to look fantastic. But there’s a problem: you’re a bit strapped for cash this year. So, let us give you 13 chillingly cheap Halloween costumes for you to look great this Halloween.
Even if you’re not one to celebrate the holiday, you can’t avoid noticing it. Not only do the stores noticeably start pedaling more and more Halloween wears, you’ll no doubt have at least one friend on social media who hasn’t shut up about the super spooky holiday since mid-August.
But Halloween also means big business.
In 2017, people in the UK spent on Halloween, which is £10 ($13) million more than they spent in 2016. But if you think that’s scary, the USA spent a petrifying $9.1 (£6.9) billion!
Jinkies!
Costumes are a big expenditure when it comes to Halloween costs. Last year, out of that staggering $9.1 billion spent on Halloween overall in the USA, , was on adult costumes alone.
Never fear! We’ve got 13 lighthearted cheap Halloween costumes that will help you make an impact without having to break the bank, starting from as little as $9/£6.
But first, lets go over some dos don’ts for when it comes to shopping for your cheap Halloween costumes.
Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas Shopping Dos and Don'ts
Don’ts
Don’t leave your cheap Halloween costume shopping until the last minute! Not only will lines at costume stores and shops be long, but many things may start to run out. Shops may even increase the price of in-demand goods.
Don’t buy Halloween themed versions of everyday goods. Sometimes, slapping a scary witch or a creepy ghost on the side of the packaging or on the product gives stores an excuse to charge more. You might be able to make a spooky version yourself using the standard version for less than the markup of the Halloween version.
Don’t just shop in the most obvious shops for Halloween items. Some larger stores which you might not instantly associate with Halloween, like hardware stores, may have a Halloween section too. Here, you might find things that you won’t get in other stores. Or they might have a better availability of stock because fewer people are buying Halloween goods from there. It’s worth checking them out if you’re finding certain items difficult to get hold of, or even for some unique inspiration.
Do
Do buy more materials than you need. Nobody’s perfect, and sometimes mistakes might be made when making a your cheap Halloween costumes. Try to have some extra materials handy just in case you need to start over. Worse, sometimes you can unexpectedly run out of materials despite being sure you bought what should have been the exact amount needed.
Do raid your wardrobe and see what items of clothing you already have. The most expensive costume in this list is $47 (£39), but that’s because it assumes that you don’t have all the necessary items. These can be made significantly cheaper if you’ve already got some of the items of clothing to hand.
Do get your friends to help you. Not only can this save time making your cheap Halloween costume, your friends might be better at doing certain things than you are. Helping each other out can also be a fun social activity to really get you in the Halloween spirit.
Do keep checking store offers regularly. Sometimes, the things you need might come up on offer before you start making your cheap Halloween costumes. Keep checking your local stores’ offers to see if you can pick up materials extra cheap. This can also apply to any other aspect of your Halloween preparation.
Do have fun with your cheap Halloween costumes. Many in the list below won’t be as impressive as someone who has spent 100s on their costume. Some even verge towards funny Halloween costumes rather than be anything too serious. Enjoy the joke or reference, and be proud of your DIY handiwork.
Cheap Halloween Costumes
#1 Error 404: Costume Not Found
This is one for the computer geeks among you. A “404 Error” is what is displayed when a web page you’re looking for cannot be found. In its most basic form, you’ll get a white screen with a message saying “Error 404: Page not found”. So why not adapt this for you or your group's cheap Halloween costumes?
- Use a plain white t-shirt
- Write/print “Error 404: Costume Not Found” across it
Use fabric pens to write it in your own delicate hand. However, if your handwriting is not the best, you can also buy some printable t-shirt transfer sheets, print out the message in a nice font (preferably not Comic Sans or Times New Roman), and iron it onto your t-shirt.
Either way, you can either go for just the plain text, or unleash your creativity to add some extra details.
404 Error: Costume Not Found Shopping List
- Plain white t-shirt (from $5/£3)
- Fabric pens (from $10/£7)
- T-shirt transfer paper (from $12/£9)
Total: $15-17/£10-12
#2 Frankenstein
This one’s for the literary pedants. For this costume, you’re not going need a lot of green face paint or a trip to the hardware store for extra large bolts. Why?
Because you’re not the monster.
Mary Shelley’s iconic novel is actually named after the doctor who created the monster: Victor Frankenstein. The monster has no name and is simply referred to by several monikers, including “the creature”, “the monster”, and “the wretch”.
- Purchase a lab coat
- Create an ID using a plastic ID badge holder reading “Dr. Victor Frankenstein”
- Use safety pins to attach ID if needed
You can accessorize your costume with many other things, such as a stethoscope, a mad scientist wig, or maybe even splash it with some fake blood. Just keep showing people your name badge to remind them that you're Frankenstein the doctor, not the monster.
Frankenstein Shopping List
- Lab coat (from $12/£10)
- Plastic ID badge holder (from $6/£4)
- Safety pins (from $5/£3)
Total: $23/£17
#3 Fake News
Honestly, what’s scarier than fake news. Misinformation is rife among our media. Lies are being spread daily in our newspapers and on our social media pages.
The horror of it all!
So why not put the unreliable-news-source willies up your friends this year by going as fake news. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that offers free newspapers on public transport, then this costume can be very cheap indeed.
- Using a red marker pen, carefully write “fake” across pieces of newspaper
- Put strips of double sided tape all over your clothes
- Stick prepared sheets of newspaper to them
Please be aware that newspaper catches fire easily, so we really wouldn’t recommend this costumes if you’re planning on being anywhere near a bonfire. You should also execute caution around candles.
Fake News Shopping List
- Newspaper ($1/£0.50)
- Double sided tape ($6/£4)
- Red marker pen ($2/£1.50)
Total: $9/£6
#4 The Invisible Man
Become the transparent scientist with a penchant for violence from the novel by H.G. Wells, made iconic by the 1933 film directed by James Whale. This costume relies on you already having a suit, jacket, or other formal wear. Otherwise, buying a formal outfit will significantly rack up the cost of this costume. However, you don’t have to be overly formal, and this costume can still work by making it fit around the clothes you already own.
The only extras items of clothing you might need to buy are the gloves and sunglasses. These items do make it one of the more expensive costumes on our list if you don’t already own them, but these can be used again for other occasions.
- Warp your head and neck area with gauze dressing/bandages, leaving gaps for your eyes
- Secure bandages with safety pins
- Put on your formal wear
- Don some sunglasses or goggles
- Wear some gloves
You can also wear a black hat, like the character is sometimes depicted in. But it’s not necessary, so you don’t need to splash out on buying one if you can’t afford to.
We certainly recommend using gloves instead of wrapping up your hands. This will make it easier to hold your drink. Don’t forget to leave the area around your mouth loose enough to stick a straw through, and ensure the bandages are not so tight that it makes it difficult to breathe.
The Invisible Man Shopping List
- Gauze dressing/bandages (from $8/£6)
- Safety pins (from $5/£3)
- Sunglasses or goggles (from $15/£12)
- Gloves (from $10/£8)
Total: $38/£29
#5 Rosie The Riveter
Whilst there’s nothing “scary” about this iconic look, it’s a great way to channel your inner female strength at your Halloween Party.
Rosie the Riveter is the nickname for the female figure that appeared on World War II propaganda posters in the USA, calling for women to take on the jobs of men who had to fight in the army. These were often manual labor jobs, such as riveting. In the classic poster image, she flexes her arm muscles to the caption “We can do it!” Since, Rosie has become an iconic image for female empowerment.
- Wear some blue coveralls
- Tie a red polka dot head scarf around your head
If you don’t own a pair of blue coveralls, the same effect can be achieved with a blue or denim shirt and some jeans. If you don’t own a red polka-dot head scarf, any red scarf will do. You can make this costume fit around your wardrobe as long as you keep the signature red headscarf, and remember to keep periodically showing off those muscles (grrrrr).
Rosie the Riveter Shopping List
- Blue coveralls (from $25/£20)
- Red polka dot head scarf (from $10/£8)
Total: $35/£28
#6 Son of Man
Art lovers will definitely want to try out this cheap Halloween costume idea, inspired by René Magritte’s famous self-portrait. Again, this does require you to already own some of the clothing to keep costs down, namely a black overcoat or jacket.
- Put on a white shirt
- Wear a red tie
- Get into a black overcoat or jacket
- Sport a stylish black hat
- Hang a picture of a green apple from the brim of the hat using a safety pin
We recommend printing out the same apple used in the painting and attaching it using safety pins. Hanging an actual apple can make the hat awkward to wear, although it can come in handy as a post-party snack. If you want a more 3D object hanging in front of your face, you can always use a plastic or a wax apple which would be considerably lighter than the real deal.
If you are going to print one out, use good quality heavy printing paper/card so it doesn’t flap about too much. Alternatively, you can paint your own using cardboard and green paint for something a little sturdier, or use face paint to paint the green apple directly onto your face.
Son of Man Shopping List
- White shirt (from $10/£8)
- Red tie (from $10/£8)
- Black hat (from $15/£12)
- Apple materials (from $5/£3)
Total: $40/£31
#7 Sim
On the subject of green objects floating around one’s person, why not got as a Sim? The Sims, created by Will Wright, is the best selling video game series of all time, selling a whopping 10 million copies across it’s series since it’s release in 2000. Whilst players can make characters of any shape and size, the game’s signature is the floating plumbob above their head.
- Wear whatever you want!
- Create a plumbob and attach it to an Alice band using some crafting wire
You can make a plumbob out of paper using templates from the internet. Alternatively, you can make one using pipe cleaners or any other materials. As it’s Halloween, instead of a green plumbob, you could make a red one; in the game this means your Sim is angry!
You can up your Sim costume game by cosplaying as one of the game’s memorable characters, such as a member of the Goth family, or even adding some flesh-colored pixilation to your outfit as if you’re nude! Don’t forget to brush up on your Simlish. “Sul Sul!”
Sim Shopping List
- Alice band (from $3/£2)
- Crafting wire (from $4/£3)
- Plumbob materials (around $5/£4)
Total: $12/£9
#8 M’n’Ms/Skittles
This are great cheap Halloween costumes if you’re going out with a group of friends or as a family. Become some of the world’s favorite confectionery with minimal cost and fuss.
- Use a plain colored t-shirt in a bold colour that matches one used for the candy
- Put a letter (“M” or “S”) on the front of it using fabric pens or t-shirt transfer paper in the style of the chosen’s candy’s lettering
M’n’Ms/Skittles Shopping List
- Plain colored t-shirt (from $5/£3)
- Fabric pens (from $10/£7)
- T-shirt transfer paper (from $12/£9)
Total: $15-17/£10-12
#9 Dominos
No, not the pizza, but the classic tabletop game. This is another great cheap Halloween costume idea if you’re going to a party as a group of friends, co-workers, or family.
- Cut white iron-on fabric to form the dots and lines you’d find on dominos
- Using an iron, stick these onto a black t-shirt and black jeans.
Alternatively, you can use white duct tape. However, trying to make circles out of strips of duct tape can be quite tricky (and sticky).
Dominos Shopping List
- White iron-on fabric (from $8/£7)
- Black t-shirt (from $5/£3)
- Back jeans (from $17/£15)
Total: $30/£25
#10 Duct Tape Skeleton
This idea is easy to and cheap to make, using just black clothes and white duct tape. You can also accessorize and add to this costume using face paint of any other bone-related paraphernalia.
- Use a black t-shirt and black jeans
- Put strips of white duct tape on your clothes to resemble a skeletal system
Duct Tape Skeleton Shopping List
- Black t-shirt (from $5/£3)
- Back jeans (from $17/£15)
- White duct tape (from $5/£3)
Total: $27/£21
#11 Jellyfish
These sea creatures may be oddly elegant, but they can be painful should you come into contact with one. Some can even be deadly! Scary, right? So why not go as one of these dastardly denizens of the deep? You’ve got the added bonus of being able to keep yourself dry should it rain whilst trick or treating.
- Use a clear umbrella
- Make tendrils using string, ribbon, crepe paper, or strips of bubble wrap
- Attach tendrils to umbrella using sticky tape
You can be as creative as you want making the tendrils. Bubble wrap works very well if you’re in a hurry or aren’t confident enough in your crafting skills. Otherwise, you can go to town using different materials and colors. If you’re feeling really flush, you can use some battery-powered fairy lights! You can and even coordinate your clothes to match your oceanic masterpiece.
Jellyfish Shopping List
- Clear umbrella (from $8/£6)
- Tendril materials (from $8/£6)
- Sticky tape ($3/£2)
Total: $19/£14
#12 Waldo
Where’s Waldo? (originally named Where’s Wally? in the UK) is the much loved children’s picture-book series created by British artist, Martin Handford. Kids would have to search for the titular character, dressed in red and white stripes, in manic and overcrowded scenes.
To create Waldo’s look is pretty easy, and one that works particularly well if you already happen to wear glasses.
- Put on some blue jeans
- Wear a red and white striped sweater
- Get yourself a red and white beanie hat
- Add glasses to your outfit
If you really want to make an extra effort, you can get yourself a brown walking cane, and even add a backpack overflowing with camping accessories like what Waldo has been depicted with in some of the books. You could also adjust the costume to go as Waldo’s female companion, Wilma, by wearing a blue denim skirt with some red and white stockings or knee-length socks.
Waldo Shopping List
- Blue jeans (from $17/£15)
- Red and white striped sweater (from $15/£13)
- Red and white beanie hat (from $10/£8)
- Glasses (from $5/£3)
Total: $47/£39
#13 Bunch of Grapes
This costume is for the wino or grape juice-lover in your life. Celebrate the tasty fruit by dressing up as it.
- Blow up some green, red, or purple balloons
- Attach them to your clothes using safety pins
Bunch of Grapes Shopping List
- Red, green, or purple balloons ($4/£3)
- Safety pins (from $5/£3)
Total: $9/£6
Spooktacular!
You’re all set! You’ve got some great Halloween costume ideas for bargain prices. Go and have a horrifying holiday rocking your cheap Halloween costumes.