Halloween Guide: Costumes, Decor & Treats You Can Keep

This practical guide walks you through fun, simple choices for Halloween that work for you.

Plan costumes from what you already own first

Before you look for anything new, open your own closet first. Pull every black top, long skirt, hoodie, hat, scarf and belt you already have. Almost all costumes only need one small extra detail, not an entire new outfit. You can lay combinations out digitally in the Virtual Closet to test looks without pulling everything off shelves. If you are missing one small piece, ask three friends first. Almost everyone has an old costume item tucked away that they will happily lend you for the night. When you do add something, pick items you will wear after Halloween too. A plain black cape works for the party, and also over coats on cold evenings. A striped shirt works for a pirate one night, and with jeans every other week. You can try full costume combinations on your avatar in the Mix & Match Studio before you commit to anything.

Borrow and swap before buying

You do not need to own a costume to wear one. Arrange a small swap evening with neighbours or friends one week before Halloween. Everyone brings pieces they no longer wear, you can try things on and exchange for the night. Many local groups also run costume swap events open to everyone. When you pick something up this way, you get to try it on properly, and you can pass it on again once you are done. If you do get something new, always check that it fits well, feels comfortable and will wash properly. Bad fit is a common reason people only wear something once. Use our size calculator to get this right first time.

Decorations you keep year after year

Before you put anything new in your basket, go through the box of decorations from last year first. Most things only need a quick wipe or a small repair to look good again. When you add new pieces, pick solid items that will not break easily, that you will enjoy having up for more than one week. A plain wooden lantern works for Halloween, and also for winter evenings all through the year. Fabric bunting can be folded flat and stored safely. You can carve real pumpkins, then cook the flesh after the holiday. Put decorations up slowly, enjoy putting them together, and pack them away neatly straight after. This is how things last for ten or more Halloween nights. You can preview any decor piece in your own hallway or living room using Magic Mirror · Home before you order.

Treats that work for everyone

When you are preparing treats to give out, pick items that will be enjoyed fully. Avoid tiny items that will be discarded immediately after the night. Small wrapped candies are fine, you can also give out stickers, tiny pencils or little toys that children will keep and use. If you are hosting a party, serve food that can be wrapped up and taken home at the end of the night. Put out clean containers so guests can take any leftovers with them. Plan portions properly, ask people to let you know if they are coming, and adjust what you buy accordingly.

Plan for after the night

Many people forget this step. Before Halloween even starts, decide what you will do with every item afterwards. For costumes: will you keep it, pass it to a friend, return it to the person you borrowed it from? For decorations: will you wash and pack it away, or pass it on? Write this down on a small note when you get each item. This stops things being shoved in a cupboard and forgotten. Wash costumes within two days of the event, while any marks come out easily. Follow the fabric care guide for anything you are unsure about. Store things folded neatly in labelled boxes. You will thank yourself next year when you open the box and everything is clean and ready to use.

Keep the fun first

None of these choices mean you have less fun. In fact, putting together a costume from things you already own is usually much more fun than ordering a pre-made one. Carving your own pumpkin takes longer, but you get to laugh at the bad ones, and that is the actual point of the holiday. Halloween is about gathering people, being silly and enjoying the dark evenings. Nothing about that requires getting lots of new things that you will only use once. You do not need to change everything this year. Pick one small thing to do differently, and see how it goes.

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