Helpful Hacks for a Happy Halloween

Halloween seems to come around very quickly. Well in my house anyway. We’ve no sooner crammed away all the decorations, trick or treating lootbags and costumes when it’s suddenly time to haul it all out again!

Finding the perfect costume can be a headache. Scouring the shops for the right style, size and price …everything is out of stock or costs a bomb. As fun as it is on the day and no matter how much you get caught up in all the playful excitement, it is a lot of work and can be extremely chaotic to organise.

So we’ve compiled a list of 10 hacks to help you to enjoy a stress-free Halloween:

1) Plan ahead. Look for your costume or your child’s costume now. Don’t delay. Waiting until the day before will only add to the stress. Sort it way ahead of schedule.

2) Shop online. Avoid the shops and all the traffic and crowds. Going online in advance gives you the freedom of a whole range of stock with time for delivery. And you’re still ok if there’s a delivery delay or you need to make an exchange or return.

3) Do your research. Compare a number of sites. Don’t just stick to one. You’ll soon find your favourite, but it’s good to see what’s on offer to get a sense of pricing, trends and availability. Check the delivery dates too – make sure that you’re not in for an 8-10 week delivery.

4) Sign up. Join any clubs or sign up to newsletters so you can get the benefit of promotional offers, exclusive deals and sign-up discounts. This can save you cash – especially if you have multiple costumes to buy.

5) Measure up. This is very important and can save the frustration of having to exchange – or worse, the disappointment of no stock in the right size. Have your measurements and your children’s measurements to hand. And literally measure – with a tape measure. Don’t just use the clothing size.

6) Consult the size chart. Match your sizes with the sizing chart to ensure you’ve chosen the most accurate size.

7) Go slightly bigger. Costumes often come slightly smaller – so we advise going slightly bigger if you’re unsure. Especially for your children.

8) Check it’s safe. Make sure – and ask the retailer if you have to – that the costume isn’t flammable and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Remember too that if something is suspiciously cheap, there is a reason for that. Don’t be fooled. Choose a reputable seller and check the reviews.

9) Shop the sales. When Halloween is over and there is a load of stock that’s reduced – buy ahead for next year!

10) Take load of pics. Be sure to record every moment of the madness. It’ll be great to look back on these memories when your children have grown. You can laugh at the spooky ninja skeleton or the crazy pirate princess! Or at your own wild and wacky outfit.

Here’s to a Happy Halloween to you and your loved ones! May it be filled with loads of playful mischief, spooky magic, laughter and fun – all the ingredients for the best Halloween.