Ask the Readers: Will You Buy a Halloween Costume this Year?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Hofken, Verl, and Lisa for winning this week's contest!

Halloween is right around the corner! The time is upon us to stock up on candy for the trick-or-treaters, decorate the house, and get our Halloween costumes ready. While many people opt to go to the local Halloween costume shop to secure the perfect costume, others prefer to make their own costumes to save money.

Will you buy a Halloween costume this year? Or will you opt to make your own costume?

Tell us if you will buy a Halloween costume this year and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.

Mandatory Entry: 

  • Post your answer in the comments below 

For extra entries (1 per action):

  • Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, and leave a comment telling us you did, or
  • Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, October 31st at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 31st on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Note: Due to recent changes in Facebook's promotions guidelines, we have restructured the entry format of our giveaways.

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.

Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


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Victoria

This year I will be making a budget costume!

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Victoria

I liked Wise Bread on Facebook

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Therese

I am not buying a new costume, just rearranging items I already have into a new costume

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Jennifer

I will be putting together a homemade cowgirl costume with boots, bandana, t-shirt and hat.

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Christie

Nope. Sometimes....those old bridesmaid dresses come in handy!! (I have a red one, bought a red cape at an after-Halloween sale several years ago -- they match! Going as the Queen of Hearts. All I need to make is a scepter with a heart on top and to find some sort of tiara or crown. Should be fun!)

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Keith

buying a costume is cheating! the best costumes are always homemade

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OFG

I typically make my own costumes from random articles of clothing and makeup around the house. It's a lot cheaper than purchasing a costume and most of the time it looks better too!

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April

I bought our costumes last month, seems I always exceed my budget!

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Hollie

Going to TRY and make costumes! With two kids who keep changing their minds, I haven't even started, but they seem to be leaning towards generic costumes (i.e. pirate) rather than a specific hero or star, so that should make it easier to pull together. Or at least I hope...

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NJJ

Yes, I'm buying Halloween costumes this year. With some homemade accessories!

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Lynda

no costume this year ;)

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Lynda

i like wisebread on facebook

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Lynda

tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/oshkoshbgosh123/status/128837735128633344

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Kaye

I bought a Halloween costume for myself this year for the first time since I was 8. Seriously. We did buy them for the kids as well but saved over 75% through various deals, sales, and coupons.

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lostAnnfound

No costumes here. The kids (teens, really) make their own and I'm handing out candy so don't really see the need for one for me.

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Natalie

Nope, won't be buying a costume. I never bought a costume when I was growing up, and my little brother and I still come up with our own costumes (if needed, in my case).

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LCM

No Halloween costume for me.

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Miranda

Bought kids' costumes at the dollar store ($8-$10 each), made my own costume with clothes and props from thrift shops and other stores (most of the pieces of my costume are reusable).

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Guest

No, I'm just planning on passing out candy this year.

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Brenda Faulkner

We are using last years - still fit the kids!

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Alex

No buying this year. I have plenty of bits and pieces of costumery. I am sure I can invent something fun.

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Brenda Faulkner

I "like" you on Facebook!

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Sarah

We bought a little pumpkin costume for our LO's first Halloween. Dh was all excited about our first child's first halloween costume. Future costumes will be homemade, though. And we did get it for 40% off, so that helps :-)

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Betty

I always make my own, but truthfully, I can't say it saves money. I'm really into Halloween, so my costumes (for daughter) have every detail. This year is Kat Von D. So excited!

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Betty

Liked your post on Facebook.

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Betty

Responded on Twitter. http://twitter.com/#!/1bets1/status/128867403500236800

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Carson M.

I've chosen to buy a pretty inexpensive costume this year. Since I haven't dressed for Halloween in almost a decade, I figured it wouldn't hurt to spend a little extra this year and try to have some fun for a change :)

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Kate

No way! Homemade costumes are always better.

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Allyson

My daughter is only 13 mos, so she'll be going as a cutie-pie Halloween girlie (i.e. cheapo Halloween t-shirt, black leggings, and a homemade orange & black tutu). Happy Halloween!! :)

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Kristy

No, I don't have the money this month. I'll just pull something together from costumes of halloweens past.

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Melanie Bird

I will be buying a accessories to add to my homemade Halloween Costume!

http://twitter.com/#!/melaniebirdd/status/128874133571379201

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Christina

I'm re-using last year's costume! I probably buy a new costume every 2-3 years and rotate the ones I have (currently, I have 3) so I can wear a different costume for the - essentially - 3 days of halloween (Friday night, Saturday night, and whatever day Halloween actually falls on).

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Brandon

No I will not. I saw prices at Target and was floored to see a banana costume going for $50. I will definitely make my own this year and every year after!

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Trish

I'm reusing one of my cosplays as my Halloween costume this year. Pikachu!

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Eric

I did buy a Halloween costume this year. It's my favorite holiday. :)

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Eric

I already like Wise Bread on Facebook.

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Holly

This year I personally am not wearing a costume, but we made my oldest daughter's costume and my younger daughter is wearing one of her sister's old costumes.

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Holly

I Like Wise Bread on Facebook

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Holly

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/nafyboocs/status/128885103622504449

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jenn

Since halloween is a big deal at my company, I bought a few accessories and my mom made the dress for my costume. I tried to keep the costs low and within my budget.

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Anne Dunlea

I will definitely be buying a costume for my daughter as I'm here on vacation in California and we don't have a good selection of costumes in Ireland :)

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Guest

No. I'll be using the supplies that I have on hand.

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sharon

no, not at all, we have a hand me down from a friend, that looks brand new...why waste money..

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TMoney

My answer....maybe...may be going to a halloween party, in which case, I kinda have to. But I hate forking over tons of dough for something I will probably wear 1 time

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No buying! I've been working on sewing our costumes (from The Princess Bride) all month!

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https://twitter.com/#!/lilmsmoneybags/status/128897146270388225

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Stefany

I will be buying a (cheap!) costume this year!

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Carmen

I doubt I'll dress up this year and my daughter (her first Halloween) received a lion costume from her aunt before she was even born! Fortunately it looks as though it will fit.

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Lisa

No costume for me! Even when my son was young, we always went the homemade route.

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Amy Nordstrom

Nope, don't need one!

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Mary

I will not this year nor have I in the past 10 years purchased a Halloween costume. Since they are only good for one day it seems silly to spend $50-$100 on something I'll probably never even wear again! If I do dress up I'll use stuff from my closet and, if necessary, add a couple used accessories from a Goodwill store.

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windkey

I mostly disguise myself as a normal person on Halloween, and most every day for that matter.

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NL

not buying, just wearing a mask and handing out candy

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NL

Facebook liked

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Sylvia Rajsk

I'll be making mine to save money!

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Hannah

I will not be buying a Halloween costume. I have a bee costume in my closet that will work for the the low-key school party I will be attending.

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Elizabeth S.

No! My little one is using one my oldest previously used and my oldest got into her dress up clothes and picked a princess costume.
Now to figure out how to get out of buying candy!

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Elizabeth S.

I like (love) your facebook page!

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Lauren

No costume this year since halloween has suddenly snuck up on me and I dont have the time to plan/spend for it.

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Lauren

Liked the facebook comment (already "like" your page) and commented on facebook

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Lauren

twitter timestamp:http://twitter.com/#!/ldelangel/status/128967244020592641

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Jennifer

I already like you on FB.

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Jennifer

I won't be buying a costume this year because I'm not going to any parties. No time now that I'm back in school!

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Julie

Absolutely not! Hate Halloween!

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Julie

Liked WB post on FB!

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Rusty

No costume, but lots of candy to give out.

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Rebecca B. A. R.

Nope, not for me, but I wish I could for my dog!

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judyyy

No-I need money for other things.

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Emily

Yeah, we ended up splurging on a pirate costume for our 1.5 yr old daughter... didn't think we'd actually buy a costume, but my mother-in-law just passed away and I'm not in the mood to make one this year. This will be our daughter's first year trick-or-treating, so we do want to make it special :-)

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Ernest S.

Looks like I will be reusing an old pirate costume that I bought a couple of years ago. It's not the most original costume, but I think this year is going to be a little more "low-key" of a Halloween.

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Ernest S.

"Liked" on Facebook!

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Joy

Not this year, its hard to fit in costumes pregnant, but DH wants to paint my belly like a pumpkin

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CRich

Mike will be a combination of what I have and what I can find at the Goodwill. I don't believe in spending a ton of money on a new costume from a halloween store

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Dee Dee

No Halloween costume this year.

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kristina

No.

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lmtease

Nope. I prefer to make my own costumes.

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Raina

I've never bought a Halloween costume. If I were to buy one this year, it would be for my dog, but I'm not even likely to do that either. I don't celebrate Halloween or go to Halloween parties, so it seems irrelevant.

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Tomomes

No costume this year!

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KelR1

I'm not dressing up, but I bought a costume for my dog as I do every year.

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Karyl

Sort of. We're buying them from the thrift store. :-) Something nice for between $1 to $3.

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Alana

Nope, I have all kinds of clothes I'm getting ready to donate, I figure if I end up needing a costume I'll put together an outfit from my pile at home.

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IS

I'm planning on buying one. I already like your FB page.

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BRB

No, I usually make a costume or wear a costume from a previous year that I've made.

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Tomomes

No Halloween costume this year so no purchasing!

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Sue Anderson

I'm with Keith. Making your own is the best!

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Bryan

I don't need a costume. I'm scary enough as it is!

liked on facebook.

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Guest

I usually make all of the kids' costumes, but we just moved cross country for the doctorate into a tiny place and I left the sewing machine at home! So I bought one at an online clearance sale, handed down the second, and inherited the third from a friend.

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Renee

no we don't buy Halloween costumes :)

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Renee

like you on facebook :)

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Renee

https://twitter.com/#!/ReneeAChapman/status/129710949534937089

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Rebekah

No costumes at all this year. Our teenager has decided he's too old for Halloween, and I never understood how this became a holiday for grownups, so I'm not getting one for myself either.

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Julie

I ordered my costume from Amazon.com and just received it today.

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Verl

We're making our own this year. Cost: about $8

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Linda

I won't be making a costume this year :(

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sabrina andrews

Im making mine this year! 80's prom queen ZOMBIE!!!! Just tearing up a old dress, teasing the hair, hairspray, hairspray, hairspray! To be extra frugal this year im actually making my zombie rotting flesh and blood with just a few simple items around the house! Happy Halloween!

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Nope. I won't be wearing a costume at all this year. It's more of a kid thing, after all.

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Guest

Some folks accuse me of already being in a scary costume, so I can get by without actually purchasing one. I just get dressed and am ready to go.

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Diana

I actually won a costume through a giveaway :)

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electrogeek77

I worked at a haunted corn maze this year, so I made a few costumes with old clothes or stuff from Goodwill, and I only bought a few pieces of costume makeup. The majority of my makeup came from either my personal collection or from my freelancing kit. I was able to do a convincing zombie look just with some white makeup, matte eyeshadow, bright red blush, and highlighting and contouring techniques.

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GM

We have costumes here year-round. We didn't need to buy anything.