Halloween is closing in, and it’s the perfect time to start putting together your costume. I love coming up with unique family costumes every year, but it can get expensive. Here are some ideas for finding the perfect Halloween costume on a budget. And guess what? Budget costumes tend to be more unique than store-bought ones, and it’s better for the environment!
🐈⬛ Your Closet, and Your Friend’s Closet, Too
My closet is the first place I look for Halloween costumes. One year, my daughter wanted to be a crayon witch, and I went as her crayon cat. I found everything for my outfit right here at home: A black dress, pink belt, and rainbow leggings, and I repurposed used Crayola boxes for a necklace. I made cat ears out of leftover fabric. I only had to buy a Crayola hat for my daughter when I failed at hot gluing crayons to an old witch hat from a previous Halloween costume. Oops.
Another year, I stole — ahem — “borrowed” a friend’s fishnet tights for a costume. Use those friends! That’s what they’re there for. 😂
🧛 Facebook Groups
Facebook might be so 2014, but Facebook groups can be a great place to find cheap, or even free, Halloween costumes. Keep an eye on Buy Nothing Nashville, or other neighborhood Buy Nothing groups. If you’re a parent, check local parent groups, like the Nashville Moms Group. Often, moderators start Halloween threads so people can buy and exchange costumes in a single discussion.
👻 Thrift Stores
Thrift stores are your best source for buying a unique and cheap Halloween costume. Here are some around Nashville that typically have a good selection.
- Goodwill
- ThriftSmart on Nolensville
- Music City Thrift, also on Nolensville
- Southern Thrift on Charlotte
- For children’s costumes, try Once Upon a Child in Antioch and Franklin or Kid to Kid in Brentwood
🧙 Costume Swap Party
- This Saturday, the Madison Library Branch is hosting a costume swap playdate for kids!
- Not a kid? Host your own costume swap party! Break out the Halloween playlist and invite friends or neighbors to bring their old Halloween costumes for trade.


