| According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween | | | | Halloween costs? |
| spending in 2007 is expected to increase almost 10% | | | | Plenty. If you belong to a warehouse club, Costco or |
| on average. The increased Halloween costs could be | | | | Sam's for example, look for bulk items - and not just |
| because prices are rising or simply because people | | | | candy. Look for lunch-size versions of cookies, graham |
| are looking for a fun holiday to celebrate. Whatever | | | | crackers or popcorn. Also be sure to check local toy |
| the reason, there are plenty of ways to keep costs | | | | or teacher supply stores. US Toy is a great option. |
| down. | | | | They have regular spider rings for less than $2 for 144 |
| Lions and tigers and princesses - oh my! | | | | rings (or less than $3 for the glowing option), pick-up |
| Costumes are still the largest part of Halloween costs. | | | | sticks for about $4 per dozen, mini-Halloween mugs |
| Savvy shoppers might buy costumes the year before. | | | | for less than $3 per dozen and lots of other novelties. |
| But as many a frustrated parent knows, last year's | | | | If there is not a US Toy in your area, you still have time |
| pirate might be this year's Superman. And then there is | | | | to order off their website. |
| the Hannah Montana phenomena. Whatever | | | | Spooky decorations |
| happened to clowns, hobos and witches? | | | | The classic Halloween decoration is the carved |
| They may not be gone, after all. One way to keep | | | | pumpkin or jack-o-lantern. But it has been replaced by |
| your Halloween costs in check is to rely on traditional | | | | lots of fancy decorations - large scale decorations |
| costumes which can usually be fashioned from stuff | | | | with light and sounds and blow up decorations |
| around the house or the more general supplies in the | | | | powered by small generators. What's the solution if |
| Halloween section. Both cost less than any full outfit. | | | | you still want to have that graveyard atmosphere? |
| And, sometimes, the more traditional costumes are the | | | | Do it on the cheap. Use cardboard to make grave |
| ones that seem the most original. | | | | markers and light them with candles. Make cobwebs |
| Consider toothpaste tubes (a white sheet, magic | | | | out spray string or batting. Get a cheap (really cheap) |
| markers, wire hangers and a coffee filter), ghosts | | | | scary sounds CD and play it on a portable CD player. |
| (another white sheet) and vampires (black cape, black | | | | Use more pumpkins and hay bales. Hang sheets (full or |
| sweats or other clothes, fake teeth and face paint) | | | | cut down) from trees for ghosts that can also move |
| along with the hobos and witches. | | | | with the wind. Sometimes these unusual decorations |
| Bobbing for apples and candy bars | | | | can be more frightening than the high-tech versions. |
| It seems like trick-or-treaters get older each year. Must | | | | These are just some ideas to cut your Halloween |
| be the candy. And, boy, does it take more and more | | | | costs. Of course, you can also shop those |
| candy to get through the Halloween night crowds. | | | | after-Halloween sales to get loaded up on |
| What are the options to cut one of the biggest | | | | non-perishable items for next year! |