12 ways to keep your Halloween fun, safe and friendly to your wallet

Practical tips for costumes, makeup and savings so your celebrations won’t come back to haunt you

It’s that time of year when witches and wizards of all ages dust off their costumes for another night of Halloween fun. Whether you’ll be dressing up the kids, giving out sweets, or heading off for a spooky party, these simple tips from Spain’s leading consumer groups will help you make the most of the big night without any frightful surprises.

Costume and makeup safety for the young

1. Check all children’s makeup is CE-marked as a toy, with a clear expiry date and a full ingredients list. Avoid products with perfumes, parabens, BHA or BHT.
2. Don’t use any makeup at all on children under three, and steer clear of fake blood for kids under 14. These can contain nasties that shouldn’t go anywhere near mouths, noses, eyes or ears.
3. Test a small amount of any product on yours or your child’s skin before the big night. If there’s itching or redness, rinse off well and avoid reapplying.
4. Give nail polish and hair colouring sprays a miss. They often contain solvents or chemicals young children are best kept away from.
5. For little ones (under three), skip costumes with dangling cords or ribbons, pointy accessories, or small foam bits that might come loose and become a choking risk.
6. Always open costumes away from kids and throw the bag out straight away to avoid any suffocation hazard. Wash new costumes where possible, or air them for 48 hours if they can’t be washed.

Smart Halloween spending

1. Make a list of the essentials for Halloween and set a firm budget. Stick to what you actually need and check what you already have from last year before shopping.
2. Borrow a costume or create your own at home instead of buying new. Get creative with old sheets or bits and bobs from around the house.
3. Stock up on supermarket own-brand sweets instead of big-name treats and use leftovers from past birthdays if you have them.
4. Use up last year’s spooky decorations, or get crafty and make your own with cardboard and coloured pens for a personal touch.
5. If you plan on going to a Halloween party, get your ticket early to save a little cash. Advance tickets are nearly always cheaper.
6. Buy in physical shops when possible, especially for costumes and makeup. You’ll avoid impulse spending and can check labels for safety.

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