Families don’t need to break the bank to be their spooky best

OCTOBER 4, 2021 — More Americans are planning on participating in spooky Halloween festivities in 2021, according to the National Retail Federation, with nearly half (46 percent) planning to dress up and more than half (52 percent) planning to decorate. Overall, 65 percent of us plan to celebrate in some fashion.

Even so, Halloween isn’t immune to ongoing supply chain shortages. Items most difficult to find are home and yard decorations, but shortages have also impacted costumes and accessories. Shoppers wanting to continue their spooktacular lifestyle will likely need to get a little more creative to fulfill their “claret wishes and cobweb dreams.”

TOP 10
ADULT COSTUMES		 TOP 10
TEEN/KID COSTUMES
1.      Witch 1.      Superhero
2.      Vampire 2.      Princess
3.      Pirate 3.      Ghost
4.      50s Biker/Greaser 4.      Witch/Wizard
5.      Skeleton 5.      Cartoon Character
6.      Superhero 6.      Pumpkin
7.      60s Flower Child 7.      Zombie
8.      Zombie 8.      Cartoon Character
9.      20s Flapper 9.      Pirate
10.  Cat/Other Animal 10.  Vampire

 

“Halloween is a shopper’s paradise,” said Kolbi Jamison, retail project manager. “We save unique donated items all year long, starting November 1 for the following season. We also have a wide variety of accessories for any costume idea, making Goodwill your one-stop shop for an exceptional Halloween costume, unlike anyone else’s.”

There’s good reason Goodwill is known as “Halloween Headquarters.” From DIY videos to one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories, the thrift stores are a one-stop shop for those who relish the creativity of the holiday.

The retail team prepares for Halloween throughout the year, setting aside donations that could be used for costumes. Dark evening gowns, for example, make great witch dresses – pointy black shoes finish the look. White blouses are must-haves for pirates and vampires. Cowboys need boots and a western hat.

New goods provide those finishing touches that aren’t typically available as donations or shouldn’t be donated. Stores, for instance, carry vampire blood, make-up, eye patches and hosiery.

There is so much merchandise that our stores are segmented by costume theme, which makes shopping easier.

Crafting a perfect Halloween at Goodwill is a win-win for shoppers and the community. Shoppers can find unique items at low prices. Even new goods are sold at prices well below what shoppers will find with other retailers. And Goodwill depends on strong Halloween sales to support our mission. It is essentially our nonprofit’s largest fundraiser.

Roughly 88 cents of every dollar is returned to the community. Goodwill helps people with disabilities, veterans, seniors and young people facing employment challenges. The organization works with people overcoming struggles with substance abuse, as well as those reintegrating after incarceration. At Goodwill, people can learn new job skills and gain valuable work experience. Those who need extra support to live independently or thrive in a community job setting also find a helping hand.