The Ultimate Budget Halloween: 10 DIY Decorations Under $10 + Last‑Minute Costumes You Can Pull Off Tonight

The Ultimate Budget Halloween: 10 DIY Decorations Under $10 + Last‑Minute Costumes You Can Pull Off Tonight

Halloween shouldn’t require a scary price tag. With a little creativity, you can transform your home and yourself into the spirit of the season without breaking the bank. The best part? Budget DIY is often more original, more sustainable, and a whole lot more fun than buying a cart full of mass-produced decor and pricey costumes that look the same as everyone else’s.

Below you’ll find two things every busy ghoul could use in October: a curated guide to 10 atmospheric decorations you can make for under $10 using everyday materials, plus a big roster of genuinely easy, last-minute costume ideas that range from punny and clever to pop-culture crowd-pleasers. We’ll layer in time-saving shortcuts, safety tips, and storage ideas so this year’s effort pays off for the Halloweens to come.

Think of this as your budget-friendly Halloween playbook—part craft guide, part costume cheat sheet, all treat.

10 DIY Halloween Decorations You Can Make For Under $10

Each project below uses low-cost or recycled materials, comes together quickly, and can be customized to match your space and style. Whenever possible, opt for LED lights and household-safe adhesives so your handiwork is both safe and reusable.

1) Ghost Lanterns From Recycled Jars

Turn empty pasta sauce or jam jars into glowing little specters in minutes. A coat of white paint, a few black marker dots for a face, and an LED tea light are all you need for porch steps, window sills, or mantel displays.

• Supplies: Clean glass jars, white acrylic or spray paint, black permanent marker, LED tea lights.
• Steps: Paint jars white and let dry. Draw simple ghost faces. Drop in LED lights.
• Budget tips: Save jars from your recycling; one can of paint covers many. Multipacks of LED tea lights keep costs low.
• Safety: Prefer LEDs over real flames—especially indoors or with kids and pets around.
• Storage: Wrap in paper or bubble wrap and store upright; faces won’t smudge once paint is fully cured.

2) Spooky Silhouettes For Windows

Black paper cutouts stuck to windows create show-stopping scenes at night. Interior lamps backlight bats, cats, witches, or gnarly trees, producing a dramatic, haunted-house glow from the street.

• Supplies: Black construction paper or cardstock, scissors, clear tape or removable tabs.
• Steps: Cut shapes; tape to windows; position a lamp nearby for that glowing, theatrical effect.
• Budget tips: One pack of paper yields dozens of silhouettes. Keep the offcuts—tiny bats and stars add detail.
• Reuse: Store flat in a file folder or large envelope labeled by theme.

3) DIY Pumpkin Balloon Garland

Fast, festive, and highly photogenic, an orange-balloon garland with jack-o’-lantern faces transforms a wall, doorway, or dessert table. Mix balloon sizes for a more organic “pumpkin patch” look.

• Supplies: Orange balloons, black permanent marker, string or ribbon. Optional: green balloons for “stems,” paper bats, plastic spiders.
• Steps: Inflate; draw faces; tie to string; layer in accents between balloons.
• Budget tips: A single bag of latex balloons goes a long way. Repurpose ribbon or twine you already have.
• Sustainability: Choose latex over foil, and dispose of popped balloons responsibly.

4) Creepy Candle Holders From Toilet Paper Rolls

Cardboard tubes + hot glue “drips” + black paint = gothic candles without the fire hazard. Top each with an LED tea light for a convincing flicker.

• Supplies: Toilet paper or paper towel rolls, hot glue, black acrylic or spray paint, LED tea lights.
• Steps: Drip hot glue down sides to mimic wax; let set. Paint everything black. Insert LED at the top.
• Budget tips: Save tubes for a few weeks; inexpensive craft paint covers many candles.
• Pro look: Dry-brush a little gray or bronze over the “wax” for a distressed, antique finish.

5) Trash Bag Spider Webs

Like making paper snowflakes, but spookier. Fold a black trash bag, snip out wedge shapes, then unfold to reveal large, dramatic webs you can tape to windows or walls.

• Supplies: Black trash bags, scissors, clear tape.
• Steps: Flatten and fold bag; snip patterns; unfold carefully; tape in place.
• Budget tips: Even a handful of bags yields lots of decor—layer webs for depth and scale.
• Reuse: Fold gently and store in a large zip bag or file folder to prevent creasing.

6) Floating Cheesecloth Ghosts

Fabric stiffened over a simple frame dries into a freestanding phantom. Cluster several in your yard or by a window for maximum chills.

• Supplies: Cheesecloth, balloon and wire frame (hanger or tomato cage), liquid or spray fabric starch.
• Steps: Drape cheesecloth over the frame; soak with starch; shape folds; let dry fully; remove balloon.
• Budget tips: One package of cheesecloth and a bottle of starch typically make several ghosts.
• Pro tip: Add black felt “eyes” or insert a battery fairy light inside for an ethereal glow.

7) Painted Rock Monsters

Collect smooth stones and turn them into grinning goblins and googly-eyed creatures. They’re durable, weather-friendly, and endlessly reusable.

• Supplies: Smooth rocks, acrylic paint, paint pens, optional googly eyes, clear sealer for outdoor use.
• Steps: Clean rocks; paint base coats; add faces; seal if they’ll live outdoors.
• Budget tips: Use leftover craft paints; a basic set goes far. Skip googly eyes and paint them on for free.
• Display: Line a path, cluster on steps, or tuck little “peekers” into planters.

8) DIY Bats From Egg Cartons

Upcycle cardboard egg cartons into lightweight bats that flutter with indoor drafts or outdoor breezes. Hang in flocks for a high-impact look.

• Supplies: Cardboard egg cartons, black paint, glue, string or fishing line, optional googly eyes.
• Steps: Cut cups and wing shapes; paint; glue together; add eyes; hang at varying heights.
• Budget tips: Households go through cartons regularly—save them in September for October crafting.
• Pro tip: Dry-brush a little metallic paint on the wings for dimension.

9) Spooky Mason Jar Mummies

Bandage-wrapped jars with googly eyes become glowing mummies in minutes. The gaps in the gauze create a wonderfully eerie glow.

• Supplies: Mason or recycled jars, gauze or medical tape, glue or tape, googly eyes, LED tea lights.
• Steps: Wrap jars loosely; secure; stick on eyes; light from within.
• Budget tips: One roll of gauze wraps multiple jars. Reuse jars for storage after the season if you remove the wrapping.
• Safety: Use only LEDs inside jars—no open flames near fabric.

10) Creepy Hands In The Yard

Make it look like something is clawing out of the earth. Stuff old rubber gloves, bury the “wrists,” and arrange fingers into grasping poses.

• Supplies: Rubber or latex gloves, dirt/newspaper/cloth for stuffing, twist ties or rubber bands, optional gray/green paint.
• Steps: Fill and seal gloves; paint for a decayed look; bury the cuff so only hands show.
• Budget tips: Use worn-out gloves headed for the trash. Stuff with yard dirt to add weight for windier spots.
• Pro tip: Scatter fallen leaves around each hand for realism and to conceal the planting spot.

Last‑Minute Costumes: Low‑Effort, High‑Reward Looks You Can Build From Your Closet

Whether you forgot about a party or simply prefer simple, these ideas are fast, flexible, and fun. Each category includes quick how‑tos so you can pull a costume together in minutes. Use what you have first, then supplement with a thrift-store run or a dollar-store accessory if needed.

Punny, Clever, And Crowd‑Pleaser Costumes

• Breadwinner: Wear workout gear or a medal and carry a loaf of bread. Add eye black for sports vibes.
• Tough Cookie: Attach paper “cookie” cutouts to a shirt and wrap hands or wear a boxing glove; add faux bruises with makeup.
• Cereal Killer: Tape mini cereal boxes to your clothes and stick plastic knives or spoons in them; add a little fake “milk” splatter (white paint).
• Copy Cat: Cat ears + whiskers + a sheet of paper on a lanyard that says “Ctrl + C.”
• Holy Cow: Cow print or white top with taped-on black spots, plus an angel halo.
• Gold Digger: Gold outfit or accessories and a toy shovel or sand pail.
• Ceiling Fan: Wear a tee that says “Go Ceilings!” with pom-poms; add a paper fan or mini ceiling fan cutout.
• Freudian Slip: White tee or slip dress with “Freud” name tag or doodled quotes.
• Life Handing Out Lemons: “Life” written on a shirt and a bag of lemons to pass around.
• Netflix and/or Chill: Red shirt with “Netflix” + a blue beanie or iced pack for “Chill.” Do one or both as a duo.

Five‑Minute Classics

• Cat Burglar: Black clothes, black beanie, cat ears, and a striped bag with a dollar sign drawn on it.
• Skeleton: All black outfit and black-and-white face paint; add white tape “bones” to your clothes for extra flair.
• Unicorn: White or pastel outfit with a DIY horn headband; add shimmer highlight.
• Rain Cloud: Gray hoodie with cotton-ball “clouds” and dangling blue ribbon “raindrops.”
• Egg (with bacon friend): White shirt with a yellow circle in the middle; a buddy wears red stripes for “bacon.”
• Loofah: Tulle poufs safety-pinned to a dress or tee; add a rope “hanger” loop.
• Party Animal: Any animal ears plus a party hat and noise maker.
• Magic 8‑Ball: Black outfit with a big paper “8” on your chest; carry cards with “Yes/No/Ask Again.”

Pop‑Culture And TV Faves (No Sewing Required)

• Wednesday Addams: Black dress with white collar (or layer a white shirt under a black dress), braids, deadpan expression.
• Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction): White button-down, black pants, bob wig (optional), red lip.
• The Dude (The Big Lebowski): Robe, pajama pants, sunglasses, and a chilled drink prop.
• Jake from State Farm: Khakis, red polo, headset or name tag.
• Rosie the Riveter: Chambray shirt, rolled sleeves, red bandana, bold red lip.
• Effie Trinket (The Hunger Games): Bold, structured dress, colorful makeup, statement hair accessory.
• Cruella de Vil: Black dress, faux fur, black-and-white wig or hair spray, red gloves.
• Jigsaw (Saw): Black suit, white shirt, red bow tie, spiral cheek makeup.
• No‑Face (Spirited Away): Black robe or sheet; white mask drawn on cardstock.
• Spinelli (Recess): Orange beanie, black jacket, red dress or tee, striped leggings.

Duo And Group Ideas That Scale Up Or Down

• Salt and Pepper: One wears a big “S,” the other a “P.” Black/white outfits complete it.
• Cards Against Humanity: Black poster-board “cards” worn as sandwich boards with your own funny prompts.
• Powerpuff Girls: Monochrome dresses/tops in green, blue, and pink; black belts.
• Johnny and Moira (Schitt’s Creek): Suit for Johnny, dramatic wig and black-and-white outfit for Moira.
• Belle and Gaston (Beauty and the Beast): Yellow dress for Belle; red top, belt, and bravado for Gaston.
• Cosmo and Wanda (Fairly OddParents): White shirt/black tie + pink/green wigs and paper wands.
• Max and Roxanne (A Goofy Movie): 90s casual looks with signature colors; add name tags if needed.
• Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head: Brown outfits with felt or paper facial features stuck on with safety pins or tape.
• Before/After Princess Mia (Princess Diaries): One “pre-makeover” look, one “post-makeover” glam.
• Megan and Air Marshal John (Bridesmaids): Simple airport or suit looks with character cues.

Food And Object Costumes That Are Almost Too Easy

• Frappuccino: Tan outfit with a green straw headband and a printed coffee logo.
• Bunch of Grapes: Tape purple or green balloons to a matching outfit; add a leaf headband.
• Piñata: Layer colorful streamers on a tee and add animal ears.
• Oreo: Two black poster boards with “cream” in the middle; wear like a sandwich board.
• Spaghetti & Meatballs: Yellow yarn “pasta” pinned to a red shirt with brown pom-poms as “meatballs.”
• Kit Kat: Red shirt and a printed logo; add cardboard “chocolate bar” sleeves if you’re extra.
• Crayon: Single-color outfit with a matching paper cone hat and “Crayon” label.
• Jerry Garcia Beanie Baby: Tie-dye shirt and a DIY Beanie tag pinned to your sleeve.

Meme And Internet‑Inspired Costumes

• “This Is Fine” Dog: Yellow/brown outfit, a simple dog ear headband, and a sign that says “This is fine.”
• Rainbow Vomit Snapchat Filter: Simple glam makeup with rainbow paper streamers taped under your lower lip.
• Kermit Meme: Green shirt and hood, a collar made from paper triangles, and a tea cup.
• Tinder Profile: Poster-board “phone screen” with your photo and cheeky bio.
• Operation + Nurse duo: One wears an “Operation” board body with red felt “organs,” the other a nurse outfit.

Kid‑Friendly, School‑Safe Picks

• Mike Wazowski (Monsters, Inc.): Green shirt with a big painted/paper eye; baseball cap.
• Dora the Explorer: Pink top, orange shorts, purple backpack, and a map prop.
• Mushroom: Red hat or umbrella dotted with white paper circles; neutral outfit beneath.
• Tamagotchi: Poster-board egg with a cutout “screen,” hung like a sign.
• Gnomes: Blue top, red cone hat, belt, and a fake beard or mustache.

Decades And Vintage Vibes

• ’80s Workout: Bright leggings, oversized tee, scrunchie, and sweatbands.
• Greaser (Danny Zuko or generic): Black tee, leather jacket, slicked hair.
• ’90s Pop Diva: Metallic mini dress, platform shoes, bold hair accessories.
• Y2K Aesthetic: Baby tee, mini skirt, butterfly clips, lip gloss.

Horror Lite: Spooky Without The Gore

• Ghost: Classic sheet with cutout eyes or a chiffon scarf wrap for an ethereal effect.
• Vampire: Black outfit, red lip, winged liner, paper collar or thrifted cape.
• Witch: Black dress, pointed hat, broom; add green eyeshadow for drama.
• Skeleton Couple or Family: Matching black outfits with white “bones” tape or paint.

One‑Hour Plan: Decorate Your Space And Dress Up Fast

Pressed for time? Use this 60-minute roadmap to get both your home and yourself Halloween-ready with minimal stress and maximum impact.

• Minutes 0–10: Light and silhouettes. Flick on lamps near front-facing windows. Tape up a handful of black paper bats or a witch silhouette to create instant curb appeal.
• Minutes 10–20: Entryway glow. Drop LED tea lights into a few ghost or mummy jars and set them on steps or the porch. If you don’t have jars ready, grab white paper bags, draw faces, and drop LEDs inside for quick “bag ghosts.”
• Minutes 20–30: Big backdrop. String up a short pumpkin balloon garland over a doorway or behind a food table. Even six to eight balloons make an eye-catching mini display.
• Minutes 30–40: Statement piece. Hang two trash bag spider webs across a wall or window. Layer for a more intricate web if you have time.
• Minutes 40–55: Costume dash. Pick a punny or classic costume from the lists above and assemble using items you already own. Focus on one strong visual cue (hat, color, prop) and keep makeup simple.
• Minutes 55–60: Final touches. Cue a spooky playlist, place a candy bowl near your most photogenic spot, and take a test selfie to check lighting and backdrop.

Safety, Sustainability, And Storage Tips

DIY is budget-friendly and planet-friendly when you plan for safety and reuse. A few small choices make a big difference.

• Lights: Choose LED tea lights and fairy lights over open flames. If you must use real candles outdoors, keep them in sturdy jars away from foot traffic.
• Adhesives: Use removable tabs or painter’s tape on windows and walls to avoid damage. A hair dryer on low heat helps loosen adhesives when it’s time to remove.
• Paint and fumes: Spray paint outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Let items dry completely before bringing them inside.
• Trip hazards: Keep garlands and webs well above eye level and away from door swings and stair railings.
• Kids and pets: Skip small loose pieces in reach of little hands or curious pets. Hot glue guns should be handled by adults.
• Allergies: If latex balloons or rubber gloves are a concern, switch to latex-free options or paper substitutes.
• Sustainable choices: Shop your home and recycling bin first. Favor cardboard, paper, glass, and fabric over single-use plastics when possible. Store what you make for future years.
• Storage: Flatten silhouettes and webs, nest jars with padding, and label bins by room (“Porch,” “Mantel,” “Yard”) so next October setup takes half the time.

Smart Spending: How To Keep Halloween Under Budget

A few strategic moves keep your total spend comfortably under what a single big-box haul would cost.

• Set a project cap: Decide on a per-project limit (e.g., $5–$10) and stick to it. This narrows choices and makes you more creative.
• Shop your home first: Before you buy, gather supplies: jars, boxes, cardboard, paper, ribbon, leftover paint, string lights, and old fabric.
• Batch builds: Make multiples of the same decor at once (mummy jars, egg carton bats) to save paint and glue—and time.
• Thrift and dollar store strategy: Hit thrift stores for frames, vases, and fabrics; dollar stores for LEDs, gauze, balloons, and tape. Bring a list to avoid impulse buys.
• Share the stash: Team up with neighbors or friends—split multipacks of tea lights and balloons, and swap finished decor to freshen up your look each year.
• Plan around availability: Seasonal items can sell out late in October. If something’s gone, pivot: trash bag webs instead of faux spider webs, hand-cut bats instead of store-bought garlands.
• Reuse essentials: Invest once in reusables (good scissors, hot glue gun, a few acrylic paints) that pay off for holidays year-round.

Styling Ideas: Pull Your Look Together Like A Pro

Once you’ve got decor and a costume, a few styling touches will elevate everything from “cute” to “cohesive.”

• Color story: Pick 2–3 colors (classic orange/black/white or moody purple/green/black) and stick with them across balloons, jars, and paper decor.
• Repetition: Repeat key motifs—bats on the windows, a few hanging from the ceiling, and tiny bat stickers on cups or treat bags.
• Layering: Combine one large focal point (a silhouette window or big web) with many small lights (mummy jars) for depth.
• Height variation: Hang bats at different levels, stagger jars on books or boxes, and vary balloon sizes for a more dynamic scene.
• Texture: Mix smooth glass jars, gauzy cheesecloth, matte paper cutouts, and shiny balloon finishes for visual interest.

Quick Troubleshooting For Common DIY Hiccups

• Paint won’t stick to jars: Wipe with rubbing alcohol first and let dry; use a primer spray if you have it.
• Silhouettes keep falling: Clean the glass, use fresh removable tabs, and press firmly; add a lamp behind the window to help “anchor” them visually even if a corner lifts.
• Balloon faces smear: Let marker fully dry and avoid alcohol-based cleaners near the balloons.
• Cheesecloth ghost collapses: Apply more starch and let it dry 100% before removing the balloon; use a fan to speed curing.
• TP roll candles wobble: Anchor them with a bit of poster putty or a coin hot-glued inside the base for weight.

Ready‑To‑Use Checklists

Household Items To Save For Halloween Crafts

• Glass jars and bottles
• Cardboard tubes (toilet paper/paper towel)
• Cardboard boxes and egg cartons
• Scrap fabric, gauze, and ribbon
• Black paper, old magazines (for cutting shapes)
• Leftover paint, markers, tape, string

Mini Craft Toolkit That Pays For Itself

• Good scissors and a craft knife
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Assorted acrylic paints + 2 brushes
• Removable adhesive tabs/tape
• LED tea lights or fairy lights
• Black permanent marker

Inspiration To Personalize Your Display

Make your Halloween unmistakably yours with small custom twists that don’t cost extra. Here are simple ideas to add personality without adding dollars.

• Pick a theme: Classic “Haunted House,” “Witch’s Workshop,” or “Ghostly Garden.” Use your motif to guide silhouettes and props.
• Custom faces: Give each ghost jar a different “expression”—surprised, sleepy, mischievous—for instant charm.
• Neighborhood story: Place yard hands near a DIY “Graveyard” sign bearing punny names. Kids love the narrative element.
• Mix cute and creepy: Balance painted rock monsters (kid-friendly) with a single eerie cheesecloth ghost (spooky) to please all ages.
• Photo spot: Choose one decorated corner as your “boo-th.” Hang the mini balloon garland, add a few bats, and set a jar lantern on a stool for the perfect selfie frame.

Your Sustainable Halloween, Year After Year

The secret to budget decorating is reuse. Most projects here are either made from materials you already have or can live to haunt another October if you store them with care. Label one bin “Halloween: Lights & Jars” and another “Paper & Props.” Next year, you’ll assemble a complete display in minutes, then spend the time you saved on pumpkin carving, movie marathons, or a neighborhood walk to admire everyone else’s creativity.

And don’t forget: these skills translate to other holidays too. Silhouettes work for winter snowflakes, balloon garlands for birthdays, and painted rocks for garden markers in spring. Your Halloween toolkit is really an all-seasons creativity kit.

Wrap‑Up: Big Impact, Tiny Budget

From glowing ghost jars and fluttering egg carton bats to a cheeky pun costume you can assemble in five minutes, Halloween magic doesn’t require a big budget—just a playful eye and a few simple supplies. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and create a celebration that feels personal, charming, and wonderfully you.

Now it’s your turn to conjure the vibe: choose one or two decor projects, add a last-minute costume from your closet, and cue the eerie soundtrack. Your porch, party, or living room will be transformed—no credit card fright required.

Question for you: Which under‑$10 decoration or last‑minute costume are you most excited to try this year, and what twist will you add to make it unmistakably yours?