Easy and fun DIY Halloween costumes you can make on a budget

Halloween it is the most anticipated holiday of the year, at least for me. She started decorating in September.

But somehow, Halloween managed to wrap itself in the season of overconsumption. I’m not trying to be Scrooge for Halloween, but I can’t stand the pressure of buying huge packages candy and splurge on a fancy pre-packaged suit that you’ll only wear for one night.

Half the fun of Halloween is testing your creativity. You can bring your favorite characters to life with DIY and more frugal means. This is a tradition that should be accessible.

This Halloween, social media is picking up on “anti-spending,” and so are influencers Kristalynn Geer ( @krystslynngier ) shares tips on how she plans to stay on top of not spending a dime.

There is no shame in buying a suit in a store. But if you are trying to reduce and save some money this Halloween, like me, try shopping your closet first.

Tips on how not to spend money on Halloween

Swap costumes with friends

Costume swaps are a great way to donate Halloween outfits, wigs, and more decorations you’ve outgrown or you don’t need them. This is not only an economic, but also an ecological alternative to purchasing something new. Plan a night for your friends to get together so you can switch out costumes and props from previous years.

Can’t find something at home? Try a thrift store

If you’re looking for a specific item or need inspiration for a costume, check out your local thrift store. I’ve had the best luck finding the basics this way. Thrift stores also usually carry seasonal fashions, so you can find items specific to Halloween.

Be cunning

If you are gifted with a sewing machine, try making your own costume. You can also create your own costume from household items lying around. You’d be surprised how much you can build using cardboard, foil, paper plates, or that cardboard tube left over from the middle of a toilet paper roll. Speaking of TP…toilet paper mummy, anyone?

Think about your favorite character

You can often dress up as your favorite character using things you already have around the house. And you don’t have to choose something as complicated as Edward Scissorhands. Think about Karma Bear (white shirt, blue apron) or Zhanin s Abbott Elementary (teacher dress and belt).

Reuse an old suit

Keep your funny outfits, wigs, masks, random party finds, and fancy jewelry in a box because you never know when they’ll come in handy for your next Halloween costume. However, if you need to clean out your closet, make sure you donate items and clothes to your local thrift store, school, or charity.

8 characters to inspire your Halloween costume

If you’re trying to find an innovative costume this Halloween, think about your favorite TV or movie character. The truth is, the characters are easy to bring to life on a tight Halloween budget because they don’t require much beyond an outfit and a bit of makeup. Also, who has a random M&M costume lying around?

Below, I’ve collected some character costume ideas from my CNET colleagues, my friends, and my own personal archives. Look; they can inspire you this Halloween.

1. Abby and Ilana from Broad City

Two girls dressed as Abby and Ilana from Broad City. — Liliana Hall

It was almost impossible to pick my favorite scene from Broad City to recreate with a friend for Halloween, so we chose the most famous images. Abby, played by Abbi Abrams, is well known for her love of Bed, Bath and Beyond and her hatred of Soulstice (the fictional gym she works at in Williamsburg), so her look was light.

I made Abby’s work shirt by ironing letters from the fabric store onto a black t-shirt I had in my closet. I found the Bed, Bath and Beyond package at Goodwill in the donation bin. I begged the employee to sell it to me and they gave it to me for free. Ka-jing!

My friend Alaina put together a simple outfit for Ilana: a white shirt and jeans with a bicycle chain around the waist. If you’re familiar with the show (especially Season 3), you know why the bike chain was important to the look.

2. Ellie Sheedy from The Breakfast Club

A woman dressed as Ellie Sheedy from The Breakfast Club on Halloween. — Kelly Ernst

If you’re a fan of John Hughes or 80s movies, you’re familiar with The Breakfast Club. CNET editor Kelly Ernst dressed as Ellie Sheedy, aka “the basket,” in a completely thrifty outfit. From the scarf to the crumpled socks and sneakers, Ernst looks just like Sheedy when she was stuck in the Shermer High School detention center Saturday. All you need for this look is a black sweater, a long skirt, white socks, sneakers, and a blue scarf.

3. The Scooby gang

A group of friends dressed as actors from Scooby-Doo. — Liliana Hall

The favorite mystery cartoon series, Scooby-Doo, where are you! is the basis for a fun, easy-to-assemble group costume idea. Almost everything my friends and I wear—from Velma’s orange knee highs to Fred’s red tie and Daphne’s green scarf—came from a thrift store. I still have my Velma costume because I can use it if I need one last costume for an event.

4. Voldemort

A woman in a Voldemort costume for Halloween. — Eliza Young

Harry Potter’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort, is fun to master with a smug mug, black robes, pale makeup, and an outer wand that doubles as a wand. Bonus points if you have a bald cap hanging like my friend Alize did for this costume. But if you don’t, brush your hair with any gel you have on hand and take chalk or white powder and sprinkle it on your hair for a lightening effect.

5. Glinda from “The Wizard of Oz”.

A woman in a princess costume on Halloween. — Jenna Zapata

It’s not easy to perfect the Good Witch of the North unless you have the perfect pink dress, like my friend Jenna did for this costume. However, chances are you or someone you know has a dress that was worn once for a wedding or special event, and would be perfect for any princess or witch costume. You can also pick up a crown at just about any discount store for just a few dollars. Don’t forget to keep the crown after Halloween because you never know when you might need to wear it again for another costume.

6. Girl with a green ribbon

A woman dressed as a girl with a green ribbon for Halloween. — Kelly Ernst

No costume is too niche for Halloween. Ernst put together the perfect outfit for the “girl with the green ribbon” from In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories. If you’re familiar with Alvin Schwartz’s collection of horror stories, you know the symbolism of the green ribbon, but no spoilers here. For this costume, you only need a white cardigan, a white dress, tights and a green satin ribbon.

7. Susie Myerson from The Amazing Mrs. Maisel.

A woman in a Susie Myerson costume for Halloween. — Liliana Hall

Susie Myerson is one of my favorite characters TVand it’s not just because I love Alex Borstein (the actress behind the character). Borstein contrasts the elegance of her on-screen co-star Rachel Brosnachen with her newsboy cap, T-shirt, suspenders and trousers. But you can’t forget to throw the key to the Gaslight Café (the cafe where Suzy works in the show) around your neck before you leave.

I had almost everything I needed for this costume except for the newsboy cap and suspenders, which I picked up at Buffalo Exchange, a resale shop that buys and sells used clothing. Take any house key and throw it on the chain you have hanging. Just don’t lose it!

8. Frozone from “The Incredibles”.

A man dressed as Frozone for Halloween. — Samid Mirza

My friend Samid dressed up in a scene from Pixar’s The Incredibles when Frozone, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, is looking for his “supersuit.” If you are familiar with the animated film, you know it. Samid set the scene with a simple blue sweater, sunglasses, and black Frozone jeans, all items Samid already had in his closet, but you can easily pick up any of these at your local thrift store.