UK families cut Halloween costs with swaps, charity shops as spending rises
Parents turn to costume swaps, second-hand outfits and DIY to manage rising Halloween expenses.
At a glance
- 36% of UK shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween in 2024, up from 27% in 2025.
- Families use Facebook groups, eBay and Vinted to swap or buy costumes for a quarter of retail price.
- Charity shops sell Halloween costumes for as little as £1.50, preparing year-round for seasonal demand.
Halloween has become one of the UK's biggest seasonal celebrations, with spending on costumes, decorations and themed events continuing to grow.
As a mum, I have already found myself buying three costumes for different Halloween occasions this year. For many families, the costs can add up quickly.
That is why some parents say they are increasingly turning to costume swaps, second-hand outfits and homemade creations rather than buying new every year.
Earlier this month, businesses told the BBC that Halloween had become more important than Christmas for some attractions and retailers, while a survey found 36% of shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween this year, up from 27% in 2025.
From Facebook groups dedicated to swapping outfits to charity shop bargains and creative upcycling projects, families are finding ways to embrace the spooky season without frightening their finances.
Costume swaps and online resale
For Birmingham mum Mandy Thomas, finding affordable costumes became essential when her daughters were younger.
"I figured out really quickly that I needed to cut costs where I could when Halloween came around," she said.
"There would be a school event, trick-or-treating and a friend's party, and they didn't want to dress up as the same thing every time.
"A friend put me onto these Facebook groups where people swap or sell costumes really cheaply.
"When one of them wants to be a specific character, I search eBay or Vinted and I usually spend a quarter of the original price."
Charity shop demand rises
Charity shops have also noticed increased demand for Halloween outfits.
At the RSPCA charity shop in Coundon, Coventry, manager Ellya Hayden said staff prepare for the spooky season throughout the year by putting aside suitable donations.
"We know that at Halloween and Christmas there's going to be lots of buying going on, and people prefer to cut costs by shopping in charity shops," she said.
"We save any sellable costumes that come in and get them ready for display.
"It's really great to see the kids coming in and getting excited and there's always someone who needs a last-minute costume."
Some costumes sell for as little as £1.50, she said, while items still in their original packaging are often priced at about a quarter of their retail value.
"It's really important to reuse and recycle costumes. We try to repair items where we can so they can have multiple lives," Hayden said.
Source: BBC Business.
Questions and answers
- How are UK families cutting Halloween costs?
- Parents use costume swaps via Facebook groups, buy second-hand outfits on eBay and Vinted, and shop charity shops where costumes sell for as little as £1.50.
- Is Halloween spending increasing in the UK?
- Yes, a survey found 36% of shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween in 2024, up from 27% in 2025, with businesses reporting it has become more important than Christmas for some retailers.
- Why are charity shops seeing more Halloween costume demand?
- People prefer to cut costs by shopping in charity shops, where staff prepare for the season year-round and sell costumes at a fraction of retail value.
