CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's that time of year again: Halloween costume shopping season!
Last year, Americans spent over $3 billion purchasing costumes. Finding the right costume can be a challenge, especially if you're on a tight budget. But with a little do-it-yourself creativity, the perfect Halloween costume can be very inexpensive. Finding them is as easy as shopping at Goodwill.
Besides bargain prices, shopping at Goodwill helps the whole community. The organization trains people for careers in various fields, such as financial services, computer programming and manufacturing, as well as technology and health care.
Local, independent Goodwill stores employ around 129,000 people directly and provide support services to hundreds of thousands of people. Every day, more than 350 people earn jobs with the help of Goodwill.
A new Halloween costume can start around $30, but when you add in all the pieces and accessories, it's pretty easy to spend more than $100. Since most store-bought costumes are mass produced, you could be one of many wearing the same outfit.
That's why Goodwill is a fabulous place to find a unique costume at a great price. Goodwill stores across the Charlotte area have organized Halloween sections that include costumes and decorations. Prices can vary but it's possible to get a complete outfit for less than $20, according to LiZeatra Wilson, the communications manager for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.
Every Goodwill location has its own special variety, too. For adult women ,ladies can choose from an assortment of new wigs, including the flapper bob style to a blue rocker look. Wilson says Goodwill also has hundreds of shoes to choose from to complete your Halloween outfit, whether you're looking for boots, heels, wedges or sandals to match your costume.
For less than $100, a family of four can find Halloween costumes for a fraction of the cost at big box retailers. Those affordable costumes mean you have more money in the decorations budget, allowing families the flexibility to have the spookiest house on the block!
And speaking of decorations, Goodwill has plenty of stock. Whether it's a witch's cauldron or orange lights to wrap around your home, you can find just about everything you need at Goodwill. Plus, you can help other families while shopping. Customers can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar at checkout and those donations go toward the Goodwill mission of helping people reach their full potential through learning and job placement.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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