The Best $20 You Can Spend on Halloween at Dollar Tree
Halloween is a fun, spooky time of year. It’s a chance for people to dress up, go to parties, check out corn mazes, haunted houses and other themed attractions — and eat a little too much candy. For families with kids, it’s also a great time to go trick-or-treating.
Unlike other major holidays, like Christmas, Halloween tends to be a bit less expensive as well. In fact, GOBankingRates’ October survey found that 38% of people plan to spend under $50 this year on Halloween-related purchases. Even though a similar amount of people intend to spend more than $50 this year, it’s still much less than the nearly $900 they expect to spend on the winter holidays.
Related: 8 Best Items To Buy at Dollar Tree This Fall
More: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases
If you’re looking for ways to cut down on costs this Halloween while still having a good time, you may want to check out Dollar Tree. Not only does Dollar Tree have some great — and essential — Halloween-themed items, but you can get quite a lot for only $20 or less.
Here’s how to spend $20 at Dollar Tree this Halloween.
Halloween Decor
Something that sets Halloween apart from the rest of the holidays is the sheer amount of options you have when it comes to decor. At Dollar Tree, you can get very creative with your decorations without spending more than $20. A lot of these items are also durable, meaning they could last for future holidays as well.
Finding ones that are inexpensive and long-lasting can make it so that future Halloween events are more elaborate. Even if you are just starting out planning your Halloween, you can still get a lot of interesting items at Dollar Tree for much less than at other stores.
“Dollar Tree is a jackpot for Halloween fanatics on a shoestring budget. Want a place that oozes creepiness? Grab those stretchy spider webs, LED tea lights and a couple of those cheap skeleton figures. A few well-placed rats or crows can add a real chill. It’s all about layering the scare without emptying your wallet,” said Nathan Jacobs, senior researcher at The Money Mongers.
Ted Howard, gifting expert and founder of EZCustomGifts, added, “Start by grabbing some spooky decorations. You can find everything from cobwebs, hanging skeletons and window clings to set the Halloween mood in your home. A couple of dollars can go a long way in transforming your space.”
Looking for even more decor ideas? Vivek Attri, owner of Silent News, gave the following suggestions:
LED pumpkin lights ($1): “These glowing pumpkins can light up any dark corner, creating a ghostly ambiance.”
Hanging bats and ghosts ($2): “Suspend them from the ceiling or on your porch for an eerie effect.”
Window clings ($2): “Featuring witches, ghosts and goblins, these can be easily stuck on windows for an instant spooky vibe.”
See: Dollar Tree Is Dropping Prices Back to $1 — Here’s What Could Be Impacted
Decor for Pet Lovers
Halloween decor isn’t only for humans — you can get some things for your pets, too. Just make sure it’s pet-friendly.
“Grab some cute pumpkin- or ghost-themed decorations to spruce up their play area, but ensure there are no small, swallowable parts,” said Dr. Mollie Newton, doctor of veterinary medicine and founder of PetMeTwice. You can easily keep your budget to $5 or $10 while still creating the spooky vibe.
Tableware and Accessories
If you’re planning to host a party on or around Halloween and need some tableware, you can easily keep to a $20 budget at Dollar Tree.
“Pick up Halloween-themed paper plates, cups and napkins for your Halloween party or get-together. They have a wide selection of designs that can make your party feel festive without spending too much,” said Howard.
Richard Zi, general manager of Central Wires, also recommended getting your Halloween-themed plates, cups and even balloons at Dollar Tree. “Choose black, orange and other Halloween colors to create a fun and spooky atmosphere,” said Zi.
While you’re at it, get some candles, streamers and banners to help with the ambiance and make it a party to never forget.
“Dollar Tree often has a variety of Halloween-themed candles,” added Howard. “These can add an eerie ambiance to your home, and they’re great for setting the mood during a spooky movie night.”
Zi also suggested purchasing streamers and banners to decorate your party space, as well as themed garlands.
Costume Pieces and Accessories
Halloween costumes can be pricey, which is why some people opt to create their own. At Dollar Tree, you might not be able to create an entire costume, but you can still spruce up an existing one with some great accessories.
“Dollar Tree is an excellent source for costume accessories. Look for wigs, masks, hats and makeup to add a finishing touch to your Halloween outfit,” said Eric Sornoso, CEO at MealFan.
Jacobs also suggested shopping at Dollar Tree for some do-it-yourself costume design.
“Make a witch’s broom with a twig and twine or turn ghostly garlands into a spooky bride’s veil,” said Jacobs. “Throw in some makeup kits or fake blood, and you’ve nailed the haunted look. All for a buck each, your $20 will have you feeling like you’ve hit the Halloween jackpot.”
Other options at Dollar Tree to consider for your DIY costume accessories include inexpensive tiaras and horns.
DIY Projects
Are you excited for Halloween because it’s a time to stretch your creativity and do some themed DIY projects? Dollar Tree’s a great place to start when you’ve only got $20 to spare.
“Firstly, I’d grab some plastic pumpkins and foam skulls. These are versatile items that you can use for various DIY projects. I’d also pick up some Halloween craft tape and magnetic spiders for a little extra spookiness. To me, the best part about Dollar Tree is that you can find all these items for just a dollar each,” said Athina Zisi, COO of Energy Casino.
Alexander Havkin, regional sales and project manager at Ecoline Windows, suggested several other DIY project ideas. “A few cardboard tombstones, perhaps with a clever epitaph, placed in your yard or living room can add a haunted graveyard vibe,” said Havkin. “Invest in a set of Halloween-themed string lights. Orange, purple or even the ones shaped like little skulls. Drape them around your windows or door frame for that perfect spooky ambiance.” Complete the look with fake spiderwebs and window decals.
Candy
What is Halloween without candy? At Dollar Tree, you can stock up on candy for all of those neighborhood kids — or your own sweet tooth — for $20 or less.
“When it comes to treats, Dollar Tree offers a variety of candies and snacks. I’d go for some popular name-brand candies to hand out to trick-or-treaters. You can even find themed buckets and cauldrons to hold the candy, making your front door the go-to spot for treats,” said Zisi.
If you want to create your own candy, you can use Dollar Tree’s candy molds to do just that. Be on the lookout for themed candy molds with scary or spooky shapes like ghosts, pumpkins and spiders.
Pumpkin Carving Kits
Pumpkin carving is a fun activity many people partake in around Halloween. These kits often include simple tools or templates you can use to carve pumpkins with the family. If you want to keep your expenses low, shop at Dollar Tree for these kits.
“Dollar Tree sometimes offers basic pumpkin carving kits, including stencils and carving tools. This can be a fun and affordable way to engage in traditional Halloween activities,” said Sornoso.
Halloween Bags or Buckets
Last but not least, colorful bags, buckets, bowls or other containers are essential for holding candy and other Halloween goodies. If you’re going to need quite a few receptacles, you can purchase quite a few at Dollar Tree for under $20.
Dr. Newton recommended Halloween bowls in particular. “These are fantastic not just for candy for the kids, but to give your pet their meals in,” she said. “It’s all about the ambiance. $2 for a bowl.”
You can also prepare small treat bags for any kids or families who might come by. “Don’t forget bags or containers for trick-or-treaters. Dollar Tree usually has themed bags or buckets that make for cute and affordable options,” said Howard.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Best $20 You Can Spend on Halloween at Dollar Tree
