Halloween is still 29 days away but I guarantee you, the most popular kid costumes are almost out of stock. I learned this the hard way. I can’t even remember what Ava wanted to be but I do know I came this close to having to order a $150 costume from Chasing Fireflies because it was the only site that carried the one she wanted – the knock off version was $40 on Amazon but, of course, sold out. Now that I’ve lived thru ten plus years of kids Halloween costume shopping, I feel like I’m kind of a pro. Below are my Halloween shopping tips & tricks and helpful sites to shop.
- Start Early – As soon as the Halloween costume magazines start rolling in, have your kids sit down to flip thru them. The popular costumes will sell out quickly and then you will have to pay thru your nose for the eBay version! (If you are purchasing for a baby, consider their size on October 31st – babies grow quickly in those first few years!)
- Geography – Another misstep I made when my kids were babies. I ordered these adorable thick wool costumes, meant to be worn with long sleeved undershirts and tights, and didn’t even consider the weather. Of course it was 80 degrees – we live in Charleston. Needless to say, they were not happy and we ended up home before dark. Make sure you consider your geography when ordering your kids costumes!
- Read the Costume Description – Know what items are included in the price listed. I’m currently dealing with this issue. Regan wants to be a Voo-Doo person and the fabulous cane, that makes the outfit according to Regan, is not included – and, it’s $25. Know what you are getting into!
- Try It On – If you do nothing else, try the costume on. Or better yet, order their top two choices, try them on, and keep the one the kid likes WEARING the best. Wearing being the key term here. It never fails – my kids get obsessed with a costume. We order it. It arrives. They are ecstatic. They try it on. It’s too itchy. Tears and threats of never wanting to put it on again. Trust me – try on the costume.
- Shop Around – While Pottery Barn Kids and Chasing Fireflies really do have the cutest costumes (and both are having a decent sale right now) there are other, less expensive, options. Target, Wal-Mart, HalloweenCostumes.com, Spirithalloween.com, Party City, Amazon, and Wholesalehalloweencostumes just to name a few!
What are your kids going to be for Halloween this year? Regan is a Voo-Doo chick and Ava, Captain Marvel – both available on Target for under $40 – minus the cane.
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