The prices of Halloween costumes have been rising at a constant pace for the past eight years. So why is there such a demand to spend this kind of money on a one time outing.

According to childsupercenter.com, a children’s Star Wars costume can range anywhere from $19.99 to $58.99. This can limit a lot of families from buying their child that perfect costume.

So if little Johnny wanted to be a ninja, that costume would be an estimate of $59.99. His older sister Jamie wants to be Hannah Montana and that would cost them $49.99. The parents do not want to be left out so they decide that they are going to be Vampires so that would cost them $39.89 a piece. So the family would spend a total of $189.76 before tax.

Halloween is a time when families go out and have a good time and they should not have to pay so much for that outfit that they will probably never wear again. According to buycostumes.com the cheapest costume that you can get before shipping and handling is $19.99, and that is for a toddler costume.

Back in the early 2000’s one would be able to recall spending around $10 on a costume, and going and getting bags and bags of candy in the cold fall night.

On the flip side there are many alternatives to having a cheap costume but still being able to have an enjoyable Halloween. One may decide that they want to be a ghost and all that is required is a twin size sheet that you cut two holes where your eyes go, and draw spider webs etc. Another idea would to be a ninja. One would need black clothes, make a ninja mask out of a small scrap of black cloth. Instead of buying make believe weapons, make them out of cardboard and color and cover with aluminum foil - easy to make Ninja stars, knife. Take two paper towel rolls, connect with piece of twine, cover them with black construction paper and you have num-chucks.

Halloween does not have to be a time to go out and spend a lot of money on a costume, it is a time to go out with friends and family, have a good time and get lots of candy.