Welcome to Blogtober day 7! Today, I want to dig in to one of my favorite topics. Thrift shopping! Specifically, I’ll share all my best tips and tricks on how to thrift shop for Halloween decor.
Obviously, this post is late. Don’t worry, I haven’t given up on Blogtober! I still plan to publish 31 posts this month. Here’s the thing though, I needed a mental health break. My job has become super stressful, Baby Girl is cutting more teeth, (she’s never gonna grow them all…) and it takes me at least a few hours per blog post.
I’m burning out hard recently, and I just didn’t have the time or energy I needed to juggle everything, so I took a short break. I caught up on a little bit of work, and Baby Girl got some extra love. This blog is really important to me, but my little one comes first. Until the blog starts bringing in a bigger chunk of change, so does my day job. So now I’m back and ready to get spooky!
No clue what I’m talking about? Head on back to Blogtober Day 1 or this pre-Blogtober post I wrote, and get caught up.
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Why Thrift Shop for Halloween Decor?
There’s a lot to love about Halloween, and decor is a huge part of that. While you definitely can spend a fortune decorating your home, you don’t have to. Halloween DIY’s really well, and the grungier your materials, the better.
It’s the perfect holiday to thrift shop for Halloween decor!
Decorations this time of year gain a little extra flair when they’re worn out, used, dusty, or antique.
If you’re going for the really old, worn down look with your decor, thrift shopping is perfect because you don’t have to feel guilty about tearing up a brand new expensive piece from a Halloween store.
Halloween thrift shopping isn’t all sunshine and roses, though. Storm clouds and thorns?
You have to have a little vision, and it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Most likely, you won’t stroll in to your local thrift store and find a whole family of posable skeletons just sitting there.
Let’s look at some of my favorite Halloween thrifting tips and tricks.
Oh, and if you’re looking for other budget friendly places to grab spooky decor, I’ve got you covered!
Know Your Local Thrift Store Options
My immediate area houses nearly a dozen thrift stores, and they’re not all equal!
Some are super budget friendly and hold regular specials.
A few really only specialize in furniture or clothing.
One of my local thrift stores is REALLY proud of it’s donations, and charges prices that I’d consider exorbitant.
Find the thrift stores near you that have reasonable prices and accept a variety of goods. Don’t be afraid to look around in unexpected places either! Antique shops, flea markets, and small donation centers often still hold spooky diamonds in the rough if you’re willing to dig a little bit.
Get Familiar with Sale Cycles
Anyone who frequents thrift stores knows that these locations often have a sale cycle! Who doesn’t want a discount on already cheap items?
My local thrift stores use a tag system. All the items in the store are priced with different colored tags. Each day, the sale cycle changes based on the tag color.
Typically, one tag color prices at 25% off, another color marks down to 50%, and a third tag color goes on sale from anywhere between 75%-90% off!
Ask around and see if your thrift store has a sale cycle pattern, or if it’s just random. Then, when you’re thrift hunting, pay special attention to the sale tag colors. You might just score a great piece for next to nothing!
Remember to consider those items that aren’t on sale. If you find a piece you can’t live without, and it’s going to be discounted soon, you have to decide whether you risk waiting for the sale, or grabbing that gem before someone else scoops it up first!
Visit Your Favorite Stores Frequently
The stock in thrift stores changes constantly. Don’t just wait until October to go find Halloween pieces. For sure, stop in during the spooky season because your local thrift store will probably have Halloween displays front and center.
Don’t forget, though, to stop in year round, especially in the summer, right after the new year, and during early spring. You’re more likely to find actual Halloween decorations during these times since people usually declutter and donate during these times.
I made a thrift store run early this summer and found some awesome pieces, including a pumpkin shaped soap dispenser, wire spider web baskets, a big ceramic witch jack o lantern, and tons of red, orange, purple, and black candles.
Shop with an Open Mind... and a Plan!
That might seem a little contradictory, and it is. Both steps are important, though.
When you thrift shop for Halloween decor, you never know what you’re going to get. Stock changes every single day, and you’re not the only one out there on the prowl.
If you don’t have any plan, you’ll get lost, overwhelmed, and end up buying a bunch of junk with no purpose.
However, if your plan is too strict, you’ll miss out on opportunities that pop up.
I also find it incredibly helpful to think outside the box with the items you find. A glass decanter adds flair to a spooky Halloween party and holds flowers really beautifully. It also displays plastic eyeballs or tiny skulls nicely and makes a great witchy potion bottle for your spooky apothecary!
Know What to Look for When You Shop
A trained eye can turn almost anything into spooky Halloween decor! If you’re not quite as well versed in the dark aesthetic, here are a few ideas to get you started as you thrift shop for Halloween decor!
- Glassware – vases, decanters, pitchers, bowls, goblets, and dishes have a variety of uses beyond flowers and dinnerware. Find antique looking glassware to hold spooky party food and drink, display witchy potions, make creepy terrariums, create crystal balls, and so much more!
- Candles and candle holders – Those little chunks of wax cost a fortune at the store! I’m always amazed by how many candlesticks and pillar candles I find when thrifting. I once bought a whole shoebox full of candlesticks for under $3, and I often find large pillar candles for under a buck. While you’re at it, look for affordable candelabras and intricate candle holders for just a few dollars. Don’t let the color or material turn you away either. A can of spray paint works wonders on tacky or damaged pieces.
- Books – Spooky books really add an authentic touch to your Halloween decor. Grab large hardcovers and dress them up with hot glue, decals, paint, or decoupage. Alternately, grab a few modern books with spooky titles and display them in clusters around the house.
- Picture frames – Again, spray paint works wonders here. Grab cheap but intricately designed picture frames and print out creepy art or use them to frame out spooky 3D wall decorations. You can also dress them up by attaching flowers, trinkets, skulls, and more with hot glue.
- Antique trays – What screams haunted house more than a collection of potion bottles and goth florals perched atop an antique silver tray? Granted, you’re unlikely to find an actual silver serving tray on the cheap, but you can still grab some beautiful pieces to display your treasures.
- Containers and storage pieces – I’ve seen truly spectacular things done with old suitcases at Halloween. If you’re lucky, you can grab up antique luggage, hat boxes, and storage trunks to add to your haunted aesthetic.
- Old toys – What’s more terrifying than scary old dolls and reanimated toys? Grab some old dolls, stuffed animals, and other toys. Then dress them up with paint, stiches, fake blood, and creepy cloth, and terrify all the neighborhood children.
- Holiday village pieces – You know those little houses and decorations people buy to create a whole Christmas village that overtakes the living room? Sometimes, those pop up at thrift stores. They might not look very spooky as is, but if you’re crafty or artistic, you an creep up those pieces very nicely with paint and a few simple craft supplies!
- Old Christmas trees – Halloween tress are a whole thing right now. If you happen upon an old Christmas tree, especially a white one, you can decorate your very own Halloween tree with spooky garland, red, green, orange, or purple string lights (don’t mix red and green! Too Christmasy) and Dollar Tree favors like pumpkins, bats, skulls, skeletons, ghosts, and ghouls.
- Fabrics and yarn – Every so often, I come across unique and creepy fabric swatches that make for great patchwork projects. I actually once sewed together a Sally style patchwork dress entirely from old clothing and fabric samples. Honestly, though, while I never find great tablecloths or curtains, I always find incredible (and large) scarves. These look amazing draped on fireplaces, over side tables, or adorning a witchy divination themed table.
A Thrifty Sneak Peek
This post has a lot of great ideas, but how much can you actually find? So much!
Today, I’m offering up a little sneak peek of things to come for the rest of this month!
Here’s what I gathered up for around $76!
Full disclosure here, all the florals and the butterfly wings were from Dollar Tree. Everything else came from two thrift stores I visited on the same day in late July. As you can see, I grabbed A LOT of candles and glassware, but I also found several unexpected little gems.
Double full disclosure. I broke that green wine bottle the same night…
Are You Ready to Thrift Shop For Halloween Decor?
So, what can you find while you thrift shop for Halloween decor? The real question is, what can’t you find?
Since this is my first “going all out” DIY Halloween, I feel like I’ve really only scratched the surface of what’s possible.
What’s your best Halloween thrift shopping tip? Teach us your favorites in the comments below.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to share this post on your favorite social media, follow us, and subscribe to our newsletter, so you can stay up to date on all the Blogtober fabulosity happening this month. I won’t email you every day this month, I promise!
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