UK families are turning to costume swaps, second-hand outfits and homemade decorations to manage Halloween costs in 2026, as more shoppers say they plan to celebrate.

Key Takeaways

  • A survey found that 36% of shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween in 2026, up from 27% in 2025.
  • A Coventry charity shop sells some costumes for as little as £1.50.
  • Parents are also using unwanted clothing and household materials to make outfits and decorations.

How families are reducing Halloween costs

Multiple events can mean buying more than one outfit. Birmingham mother Mandy Thomas said her daughters had wanted different costumes for school events, trick-or-treating and parties.

Thomas said she uses online groups to swap or buy inexpensive costumes and searches eBay or Vinted when a child wants a specific character. She said she usually spends a quarter of the original price.

Charity shops and homemade alternatives

At the RSPCA charity shop in Coundon, Coventry, manager Ellya Hayden said staff put aside suitable donated costumes throughout the year. Some sell for £1.50, while packaged items are often priced at about a quarter of their retail value.

Cov Cloth founder Adele Harrison runs paid workshops in Coventry where families turn unwanted textiles and household items into costumes, accessories and decorations. She said the same ideas can be used at home with materials such as old tights, cereal boxes and unwanted clothing.

More shoppers plan to celebrate

A survey found that 36% of shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween in 2026, compared with 27% in 2025. Businesses said earlier in October that Halloween had become more important than Christmas for some attractions and retailers.

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