How to celebrate Halloween on a budget in Estonia

Halloween has become increasingly popular in Estonia over recent years, with more families embracing the spooky season’s festivities. Between costumes, decorations, sweets, and parties, the costs can quickly mount up—particularly unwelcome when household expenses are already stretching budgets thin. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Halloween’s magic.

Halloween has a rich history and is celebrated with various Halloween traditions around the world.

Whether you’re planning to welcome trick-or-treaters in Tallinn’s neighbourhoods or hosting a party with friends, there are plenty of clever ways to keep the fun high and costs low. Here’s how to celebrate without frightening your wallet.

Save money on Halloween costumes

Make your own costumes

There’s something genuinely special about homemade Halloween costumes—they’re crafted with imagination, love, and resourcefulness. Using materials you already have around the house or repurposing old clothes, you can create unique outfits that stand out from mass-produced alternatives.

A classic ghost needs nothing more than an old white sheet. More ambitious? Turn cardboard boxes into robot suits, create a witch’s ensemble from black clothing and accessories, or fashion a vampire from formal wear and clever makeup. Making your own costume not only saves money but also becomes a cherished memory, especially when involving children in the creative process.

Pinterest and similar platforms offer endless inspiration before you consider spending money on supplies. Often, what you need is already in your wardrobe or storage cupboard.

Buy second-hand costumes

Second-hand shopping is very much “in” right now, and Halloween costumes are no exception. Estonian online marketplaces like Osta.ee and Facebook Marketplace are excellent sources for pre-loved costumes at a fraction of their original price. Buying second-hand is not only thrifty but also environmentally conscious—a costume that’s worn once or twice has plenty of life left.

Organise a costume swap

Consider trading costumes with family, friends, or neighbours. Last year’s outfit can find new life with someone else, whilst you acquire a fresh look without spending anything. Costume swaps embody the sharing economy at its best—budget-friendly, sustainable, and community-building. Before buying new, always think about swapping.

Spend less on Halloween sweets

Split costs with neighbours

Just as bulk grocery shopping makes sense when divided amongst friends or family, the same principle applies to Halloween sweets. Why not buy wholesale and share the costs? Shopping at bulk retailers like Selver or Prisma gives you better value per piece.

By splitting purchases with neighbours, you can ensure a well-stocked sweet bowl without straining individual budgets. It’s genuinely win-win: more sweets, less cost. Plus, shopping together becomes a fun pre-Halloween outing.

Practise moderation

Halloween presents an opportunity to teach and learn about moderation. Instead of distributing handfuls of sweets, consider giving one or two pieces per trick-or-treater. This stretches your supply whilst promoting healthier choices—a subtle reminder that sometimes, less truly is more.

Set boundaries around trick-or-treating hours

Whilst it’s tempting to be the house distributing sweets all evening, there’s no harm in setting sensible boundaries. Choose to give out treats for an hour or two, or decide on a set amount to distribute. When the sweets are gone or time’s up, simply turn off your porch light.

It’s not about being stingy—it’s finding a comfortable balance that works for your circumstances. Remember, setting limits doesn’t diminish your enjoyment of the holiday.

Consider non-sweet alternatives

If you’re expecting many trick-or-treaters, non-sweet alternatives can be surprisingly popular and often more affordable. Small toys, stickers, pencils, or temporary tattoos offer variety and cater to children with dietary restrictions or allergies. Check local budget shops like Tiger or Euronics for multi-packs of small items.

Halloween decorations on a budget

Create DIY decorations

Using everyday items, creativity, and a bit of craftiness, you can transform your space into a haunted haven. Homemade lanterns from old jars and tea lights, ghostly drapes from white sheets, paper bats stuck to windows, or carved turnips (the traditional alternative to pumpkins) all create atmosphere without expensive shop-bought decorations.

DIY decorations allow you to add a unique stamp to your celebrations. Involving the whole family can turn decoration-making into a cherished seasonal tradition that children remember for years.

Reuse decorations year after year

Reusing Halloween decorations is both eco-friendly and budget-conscious. Store decorations carefully after the festivities—appropriately wrapped and kept dry—ensuring they remain in excellent condition for the following years. With each passing Halloween, these decorations gain sentimental value, turning your setup into a collection of memories.

After the sweets have been distributed and costumes stored away, pack up your decorations knowing they’ll be ready to create scares again next October.

Shop post-Halloween sales for next year

Once Halloween ends, many Estonian retailers slash prices on seasonal items, often by 50% or more. This is your opportunity to acquire fantastic bargains for next year’s festivities. Shopping post-Halloween sales requires a bit of forward planning, but it’s an excellent way to refresh your decoration collection without breaking the bank.

Mark your calendar for 1st November and prepare to hunt for spooky bargains.

Skip decorations entirely

Halloween is as much about the season’s spirit as about decorations. If budget constraints are a concern, it’s perfectly acceptable to opt out of elaborate displays. Celebrating Halloween isn’t about grandeur but about joy and memories created with loved ones.

Embracing a simpler approach can be just as meaningful. Often, minimal decoration serves as a reminder that the holiday’s heart lies in shared moments, stories, and laughter—not how much you display externally.

Host budget-friendly Halloween gatherings

Organise potluck parties

Hosting a Halloween party? Skip the catering and organise a meal with guests, known in American English as a ‘potluck dinner.’ Invite guests to bring a spooky dish to share. This not only lightens your food budget but also creates a diverse, interesting menu. From “witch’s brew punch” to themed finger foods, potluck dishes can be as creative as your guests’ imaginations.

Potlucks foster community and shared experience, making everyone feel part of the celebration rather than merely attending. You might discover new recipes for future gatherings.

Choose DIY entertainment

Skip expensive entertainment and opt for DIY Halloween games that are equally fun. Try classic “mummy wrap” games using toilet paper, organise scavenger hunts around your home or garden, or host pumpkin decorating contests with small pumpkins and markers.

Numerous free resources online offer downloadable Halloween-themed printable games. With imagination, entertainment costs can be minimal whilst fun remains maximum.

Reconnecting with Halloween’s roots

If Halloween expenses feel overwhelming, it helps to remember that 31st October wasn’t always about costumes and commercialism. Long before today’s traditions, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain marked harvest’s end and winter’s beginning. It was a time for reflection, honouring ancestors, and gathering with loved ones—no shopping lists required.

Revisiting this spirit offers a refreshing, cost-free way to mark the season. You might:

• Light candles in memory of loved ones who have passed
• Take mindful autumn walks through Tallinn’s parks or Estonia’s forests, collecting natural objects like leaves, pinecones, or interesting stones for seasonal displays.
• Journal about what you’d like to leave behind from the past year and new beginnings you want to welcome.
• Share stories, meals, or quiet moments with family and friends
• Read Estonian folklore about spirits and the changing seasons

These small rituals reconnect Halloween with deeper roots, reminding us that the holiday is ultimately about meaning, memory, and togetherness—not expenditure.

The bottom line

Halloween in Estonia continues growing in popularity, but celebration needn’t need to mean financial stress. By embracing creativity, reusing what you have, shopping cleverly, and focusing on experiences rather than expensive purchases, you can create memorable Halloweens without the frightening price tag.

The most important elements of Halloween—imagination, community, and enjoyment—cost nothing at all. Whether you’re making costumes at home, swapping decorations with neighbours, or simply gathering with friends over homemade treats, these experiences create lasting memories far more valuable than anything purchased from shops.

This Halloween, challenge yourself to spend less whilst enjoying more. Your wallet—and perhaps the planet—will thank you.