by Jackie Holmes

Created on: October 23, 2010   Last Updated: October 25, 2010

The major benefit of a Halloween costume swap is an obvious one, and a particularly important one in the current global financial climate. Many of us are seeking to become more and more cost efficient, without seriously compromising our lifestyles. The idea of swapping Halloween costumes is just another small way in which you can cut your annual expenditure, whilst enabling your child or children to wear a new costume each year. The principle is of course very simple, your kid wears a Halloween costume in 2010 and instead of throwing it out or wearing it again in 2011 you instead swap it for the 2010 costume of one of their class mates or the child of a family friend.

Asking another mother or father to become involved in such a venture, however logical it may be, can be embarrassing for some. So why not make an occasion out of it? Invite a number of neighbourhood kids to a Halloween swap party, promising some soda and some nibbles, and the event will not only save each of their respective sets of parents money  but will also be great for their social skills and negotiating skills. The global economic slowdown has seen the growth in the clothes swapping party which, as well as being a fun get together for friends, can often result in you finding a great new dress or a pair of unworn jeans without the need to break into the savings or extend that pesky overdraft. If adults have had to learn to adapt and take measures to tighten their belts, then why shouldn't the kids? Teaching them the real understanding of the purpose of a costume swap will help to give them a great grounding on reality and, whilst we all hope that the economic situation improves, the likelihood is that your kids will experience another recession at some stage in their lifetime.

Those that have a number of kids around the same age, or even just two around the same age, can of course conduct a costume swap amongst siblings. Whilst, alternatively, you could simply keep halloween costumes and pass them on in the future to newer children within your family or circle of friends. This option won't save you money, but it will certainly save the recipient money; whatever you do with your kids halloween costume on the morning after Halloween -  just don't send it to the tip, that thing cost money and is adequate in serving its purpose again next year!

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