Four Reasons to Thrift Your Halloween Costume

Practically every costume I’ve made over the years started with something I spotted at Goodwill that inspired an idea. Whether I’m looking for a ready-made costume like a cupcake for my daughter or pieces to DIY a unique costume, I can always find what I’m looking for at Goodwill. 

Never thrifted a Halloween costume before? Here are four reasons why you should this year:

1. The Variety

Step into a Goodwill in the fall and within minutes you will understand why you should reconsider buying a costume at full retail price. Goodwill is bursting with fantastic costumes for kids. Everything from oh-so-adorable infant costumes to on-trend characters.

2. Endless possibilities for DIY creations

You don’t have to be super crafty to DIY a costume – because trust me, I’m not! It is actually really fun spending time shopping for different parts and building a costume together. I make a list of things to search for at Goodwill and keep my wish list handy when I’m thrifting. It’s such a thrill when it all comes together like my mommy and me Cruella de Vil costume. 

To make this costume, I simply thrifted the coat, black dress, bag, shoes, and gloves and purchased the wig and props online. Then, I completed the look with an infant dalmatian costume from Goodwill.

3. Thrifting a Halloween costume teaches kids the value of bargain shopping

Taking children to Goodwill to pick out their costumes can be a fun activity for the family (if they are old enough!) It teaches them not only how to become excellent bargain hunters, but more importantly the value of secondhand shopping – especially for something they will only wear a few times. 

Ask them to think of a few costume ideas in advance, set a spending budget, and head to a couple of Goodwill stores and see what you can find.

4. Goodwill is the perfect place to get a costume for that infant photo-op

Let’s be real: aren’t most of us buying Halloween costumes for our 6 month old babies for the adorable photo op? I know I did! Infant costumes can cost upwards of $30 at regular retail stores but you can get them for a fraction of that price at places like Goodwill. Many of the infant costumes I spotted at Goodwill were either brand new or in like-new condition.

What are your reasons to thrift your Halloween costume? If you have another reason to thrift this Halloween we want to hear it! Happy Spooky Season!

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