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Halloween is one of Ohio’s favorite fall traditions, and hosting a party is a great way to celebrate with friends, family, and neighbors. But between costumes, decorations, and snacks, costs can creep up quickly. The good news? You don’t need a big budget to throw a memorable bash.

Here are five easy ways to keep your Halloween party festive and affordable — plus local store recommendations and free planning resources to help you get started.

1. Decorate with Dollar Finds & DIY Touches

Skip the pricey decor and head to budget-friendly stores like Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Party Place Superstores (locations in Avon, Findlay, Mansfield, and more). You’ll find everything from spooky tableware to string lights and window clings.

DIY ideas:

• Cut out bats and ghosts from black construction paper.
• Use mason jars with orange tissue paper and LED tealights for glowing lanterns.
• Re-purpose old sheets as ghostly drapes or table covers.

2. Serve Simple, Crowd-Pleasing Snacks

You don’t need gourmet catering to impress your guests. Stick to easy, affordable treats that can be made in bulk.

Budget-friendly snack ideas:

• Popcorn “monster mix” with candy corn and pretzels
• Deviled eggs with olive “spiders”
• Cupcakes decorated with Halloween sprinkles (check out Freshness Guaranteed mini cupcakes at Walmart for under $4)

Tip: Buy store-brand ingredients to save even more — many are just as good as name-brand options.

3. Plan Free or Low-Cost Games

Games are a great way to keep guests entertained without spending much. You can even download free printable games like Halloween Bingo or Pin the Spider on the Web from Catch My Party.

Other fun ideas:

• Costume contest with small prizes (think candy or dollar store trinkets)
• Mummy wrap race using toilet paper
• Pumpkin bowling with mini pumpkins and plastic bottles

4. Use a Free Printable Party Planner

Stay organized and avoid overspending with a printable Halloween party planner. These tools help you track your guest list, budget, shopping list, and schedule.

Free download options:

• World of Printables Halloween Planner
• Free Kids Printables Halloween Menu & Planner

Print what you need, hang it on the fridge, and check off tasks as you go.

5. Shop Local for Last-Minute Supplies

Ohio has plenty of great stores for Halloween essentials. Here are a few worth checking out:

• Spirit Halloween – Locations across Ohio, including Marion
• Cappel’s – A Cincinnati favorite for costumes, decorations, and party supplies
• Party City – Multiple locations statewide with seasonal discounts

Many offer online ordering with in-store pickup, which can help you save time and avoid impulse buys.

Celebrate Smart & Spooky

Hosting a Halloween party doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a fun, festive atmosphere that guests will remember — without haunting your budget.

Middlefield Bank is here to support your financial wellness all year long. For more tips on saving, budgeting, and planning seasonal events, visit our blog or stop by your local branch.