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Don't be haunted by Halloween spending

Trick or treat with Liz’s Mom

[October 1, 2011]

Elisabeth Hooker, STCU education outreach officer

For 10 percent of my Halloweens, I've been Rainbow Brite.

If you didn't grow up in the 1980s, you may be unfamiliar with the animated girl who brings color to the world. She rides a white horse with a rainbow mane. And she was my childhood hero.

Cheap Rainbow Brite costumes aren't exactly available in stores. Luckily, I was born with a mom who always uses her creative talents to come up with fun, innovative and thrifty ways to celebrate. She also happens to be a talented seamstress.

Even if you can't sew, the Halloween price tag shouldn't scare you away from a great annual celebration. Here are some patented Hooker household Halloween traditions to help you get through:

• Always make your own costume. You don't have to be talented to be creative. Think about what you want to be and simplify. Plus, you won't end up in the embarrassing situation of having the same costume as someone else.
• Use practical items to decorate. Each year I got to decorate the front porch with a homemade scarecrow. A pumpkin, a flannel shirt, an old pair of jeans, some newspaper for stuffing and viola! Leaves, twigs, cotton ball cobwebs and a variety of other household items can provide affordable atmosphere.
• Find alternative places to trick-or-treat. Dark streets and cold weather can be a hindrance for young ghouls and ghosts. Check out local schools, community centers, or churches for parties.
• You don't have to give away candy. One year, mom was the woman handing out toothbrushes. At 10 cents a brush, she couldn't resist a deal, and the opportunity to avoid cavities.
• When all else fails, hide. Bags of Halloween candy can get pricey. One year, when the count in my parent's neighborhood went up to over 300 trick-or-treaters, mom and dad cut their losses. They donated candy to the local elementary school and turned out the lights.
• Set rules for your kids. In our household, trick-or-treating was only for pre-teens. After that, if I wanted to participate, I had to answer the door.
• Bring the party to you. For a safe Halloween, host a party. Bobbing for apples, gummy worms in pudding, pealed grapes for eyeballs and music are all you need to be the haunted host with the most.
• Save the seeds from your pumpkin carving. A little salt and a few minutes in the oven… Yum!

I'm sure that I will dress-up like Rainbow Brite again, and Mom will be there to help me craft my costume. But no matter how old I am, Mom's thrifty ways will inspire me to make each holiday fun, creative, and affordable.