Disclosure: This is a sponsored post brought to you by Nikki at Dollar Tree Deals.
Frugal Tips for Halloween Fun
Halloween is a great way to welcome in the cooler weather. It’s a good break from the routine for the kids, and it also helps children to use their imagination and creativity in coming up with costumes. There’s still time to plan out your afternoon and evening for the main event with these frugal tips for Halloween fun.
Being the Cool House
There’s always at least one house on the block that’s “the cool house.” It’s decorated for Halloween, and there’s someone dressed up at the door giving out treats. Whether your kids are into trick-or-treating for Halloween, or they’re at the age where they’re staying home and passing out the Halloween candy, you can put up some decorations to make it more fun and maybe even be the cool house. The trick is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do it. Throw a sheet over your lamp post to make a ghost, and put on some spooky music.
Related: 8 Cheap Homemade Halloween Decorations
Pets Are People Too
Something to remember about Halloween candy is that chocolate is bad for dogs. They can become quite ill. Be sure to tell your children. Keep the baskets and bags of candy away from Fido. Encourage your children to let your dog have treats that are healthy for pets, not people. If you don’t want your favorite canine to feel left out on Halloween, you can pick up some cheap dog toys and treats so that your furry family friend can join in on the festivities. You might also take your dog along trick-or-treating if you feel like it can behave without intimidating others. Your kids can have some fun coming up with creative Halloween costume ideas for your pet, whether it stays in or goes out on the town.
What’s Next?
When your Halloween crew gets back from trick-or-treating and parties, they could be cold and tired. Help them thaw out and enjoy something besides candy with warm drinks and snacks when they get home. Use a slow cooker to create up some hot drinks. If you haven’t used a crockpot before, you’ll find that you can make what you need ahead of time in one of the these small kitchen appliances. Let it cook or heat for several hours, using a recipe that fits in with your schedule. For example, you can set it up for a hot drink in the afternoon and turn it on low. You’ll have a tasty treat to come back to after the outing. Mulled cider is a non-caffeinated option that isn’t loaded with sugar. Pick up a jug of apple cider at the store or local farm stand. Spice it with some cinnamon sticks and cloves. Another option is to make some herbal tea, then add some sliced citrus fruit. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can pick one up inexpensively at the discount store.
These are great ideas, thank you so much for sharing, I know have a reference site to go to!
We dressed our cats up this year. The kids are too old 🙁
Great tips, I think having a snack waiting that isn’t sweets is great!
My son is really into Halloween so we are doing more decorations for our house this weekend!
Love the warning about chocolate for dogs. We have a teeny tiny dog and chocolate can actually kill her! This gave me the reminder to tell my kids to keep their candy high.
I think once my kids are too old to go trick or treating I will try to decorate more and play spooky music for the kids!
I hadn’t thought about it not taking a lot of money to be the cool house. The idea of wrapping a sheet around the lamp is great.
You know, I never thought about the dogs…..I might set aside some Milkbones for people who bring their dogs to the house with their kids this year!
I’m hosting kiddos at my house for our neighborhood this year – we’re going to do a taco night for dinner. Inexpensive, easy and fun with lots of different tasty & healthy taco toppings!