The countdown has officially begun. Halloween is officially three weeks away and for parents across the country, it’s time to figure out what their little ghouls and goblins will wear on Halloween night. But instead of grabbing a costume off the rack this year, more families are breaking out the glue guns and getting creative.
A new CouponBirds survey of nearly 2,000 Americans across all 50 states reveals that 51.6% of parents plan to make their children’s costumes completely from scratch, while 40.8% will buy store-bought looks, and 7.6% plan to do a mix of both.
The DIY spirit is thriving in the Midwest, with Iowa (71.8%) and Nebraska (66.7%) leading the nation in homemade Halloween pride. Meanwhile, families in states like Connecticut and North Carolina are sticking with store-bought favorites from big-name retailers like Target and Walmart. As for what kids are asking for? Pokémon characters and Taylor Swift-inspired outfits top the list.
Why are more parents insisting on getting crafty this year? Well, as inflation is shaping how families celebrate the holiday.Parents want to save money.
According to the survey, the average cost to make a costume is $39.96, while a store-bought costume runs about $74.37. For more than a third of parents, cutting costs is the main motivator. Economic pressures, from higher grocery bills to stagnant wages, have made DIY a budget-friendly solution, especially for parents in Colorado (48.7%), Iowa (48.7%), and California (46.2%).
Of course, money isn’t the only reason parents are opting to make costumes themselves. Store-bought looks can be mass-produced, meaning your child might bump into their costume twin down the block. Nine percent of parents say the ability to create a higher-quality, one-of-a-kind costume drives their decision to be creative and DIY.
And we couldn’t leave out the pressures of getting that perfect social media pic. Eight out of 10 parents admit that the desire to create an “Insta-worthy” costume influences their decision. Between TikTok tutorials, Pinterest inspiration, and the ever-present pressure to impress other parents, it’s easy to see why. The survey found that the pressure peaks in Idaho (97.5%), Missouri, and Connecticut (both at 94.9%), proof that even Halloween can feel like a social media competition.
Whether you decide to do a DIY costume this year or head to a retailer, remember, your child probably won’t remember how much their costume cost, but they will remember how much fun they had trick-or-treating, but most importantly, how much candy is in their bag!