How to throw a Halloween party on a budget

October 23, 1:30 PMBoston Party Planning ExaminerDanielle E. Brown

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Haunted house.  Image courtesy of Flickr user country_boy_shane.

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Times are tough, but it's not stopping folks from spending on Halloween parties this year, as evidenced in this report on Halloween spending, released on Wednesday.  Consumers are still looking to have a good time without breaking the bank.  Read on for the Boston Party Planning Page's tips for hosting a Halloween bash that won't leave you broke.

Make your own decorations.
While party supply stores can charge high prices for decorations, you can make many on your own for very little money.  You can go the route of ghosts make from bed sheets or tissue-covered lollipops, or explore Internet resources like Disney's Family Fun Halloween Crafts or About.com for step-by step instructions for making your own decorations.

Shop at dollar and discount stores.
At the Dollar Tree, you can find party supplies on the cheap.  This week they're offering candy pails, Halloween lanterns, costume accessories, themed-paper goods, and more, all for $1.  While not everything is a bargain (you can probably buy bulk candy cheaper than the candy at the Dollar Tree), most things are a good deal.  Check out local discount stores as well.

Make your own costume, instead of buying something prepackaged.
You don't need to buy a prepackaged costume to look ready for a party.  Want to be pirate?  Raid your closet for a striped shirt and vest to wear with billowy black pants or a black gypsy skirt; supplement your outfit with a pirate's eye patch and sword from a dollar store.  Want to try something "punny"?  Go as a devil in a blue dress (wear a blue dress and devil's horns) or a pig in a blanket (wear a pig nose and wrap yourself in a blanket).  The possibilities are endless and you can supplement your closet-costume with items from second-hand stores.

Have dessert double as a centerpiece or decoration.
Make a batch of eyeball cupcakes, creepy Rice Krispies treats, or witches' fingers and let them serve as decorations in addition to dessert.  You can also serve snacks or treats in hollowed-out pumpkins or gourds as decorated food choices. 

Make your food do double-duty!
Don't throw away those pumpkin innards!  Roast the seeds, and turn the pumpkin meat into soup or pie.

Feel free to share your own thrifty party-planning suggestions in the comments.  Happy haunting!