Being a full time college student I have to seriously plan budgets extremely far in advanced to make sure that I can have the money I am going to need. By planning a budget in August I can decide what the maximum I am willing to spend, divide that by how many weeks until I have to spend it, and then set aside the much smaller amount each week. This means that when it comes to shopping I am not spending my grocery money for the month on my upcoming Halloween party.
There are several ways to decide a budget for Halloween. When it comes to my Halloween I decide what I am going to be and then set myself a costume budget of usually $25-$30. I then have to decide whether I am going to a party or having one at my home. If I will be attending and not hosting I usually have a modest decoration budget of $15-$20. There is no reason to be extremely extravagant with my budget if not a whole lot of people will see the decorations I buy. Plus I tend to save most of my decorations (some of the paper ones tend to rip or get ruined somehow each year). If I am going to throw a party I have a decoration budget of $25 and a food and drink budget of $35-$40 depending on the number of guests.
To give a real life situation:
This year for Halloween I will be having a party at my apartment. I am going to be Marryann from HBO’s True Blood, and my costume budget is $25. My party budget is going to be a total of $60 because we will only be having drinks and decorations. This $60 is going to be divided between my three roommates and me. So my personal budget for Halloween this year is $45. I started saving at the beginning of August and am setting aside $5 each week. I now have no money stresses for my favorite upcoming holiday.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Halloween Shopping
Hello Halloweeners,
This blog post is just going to discuss some ideas on where to shop for your Halloween decorations for your party that is exactly in one month!
When it comes to decorating I have actually already checked out a few stores with great finds! The Dollar Tree (everything is a dollar!!!!) already has all their Halloween stuff out. They have candy making trays, martini Halloween glasses, drink shakers, accessories, webs, and many more. If one were to go here and pick up a few things and that is a huge savings. Also I have checked Wal-Mart out and their decorations are quite inexpensive. TJMaxx is another good place to check because they always have a great clearance section. The last place I have checked out already Factory Card Outlet has lots of fun plates and decorations. Their costumes also tend to go on sale close to Halloween if you’re ok with waiting. Factory Card Outlet also usually has coupons out which are relatively easy to find.
Places to avoid are those Halloween chains that pop up everywhere just around Halloween time. From what I have seen their merchandise is extremely overpriced, and is not even great quality to make it worth it.
Jennifer’s Tip:
If you are shopping for a bargain start way ahead of time like I do. It only August and I have begun picking up things here and there. Whenever you are in a big chain store browse their Halloween department quickly because you never know who might has the best prices. Also, do not be afraid to do a little shopping after Halloween. Some of my decorations I got last year for 80% like a week after Halloween. Buy things that can easily be stored, and then you are prepared when Halloween comes around next year.
Happy Hunting,
Jennifer!
This blog post is just going to discuss some ideas on where to shop for your Halloween decorations for your party that is exactly in one month!
When it comes to decorating I have actually already checked out a few stores with great finds! The Dollar Tree (everything is a dollar!!!!) already has all their Halloween stuff out. They have candy making trays, martini Halloween glasses, drink shakers, accessories, webs, and many more. If one were to go here and pick up a few things and that is a huge savings. Also I have checked Wal-Mart out and their decorations are quite inexpensive. TJMaxx is another good place to check because they always have a great clearance section. The last place I have checked out already Factory Card Outlet has lots of fun plates and decorations. Their costumes also tend to go on sale close to Halloween if you’re ok with waiting. Factory Card Outlet also usually has coupons out which are relatively easy to find.
Places to avoid are those Halloween chains that pop up everywhere just around Halloween time. From what I have seen their merchandise is extremely overpriced, and is not even great quality to make it worth it.
Jennifer’s Tip:
If you are shopping for a bargain start way ahead of time like I do. It only August and I have begun picking up things here and there. Whenever you are in a big chain store browse their Halloween department quickly because you never know who might has the best prices. Also, do not be afraid to do a little shopping after Halloween. Some of my decorations I got last year for 80% like a week after Halloween. Buy things that can easily be stored, and then you are prepared when Halloween comes around next year.
Happy Hunting,
Jennifer!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Halloween painting fun
I love to paint. When it comes to Halloween there are many different things to paint. One year instead of carving a pumpkin I painted a witches face on the front of a pumpkin. I did this by using green paint for her face, and black paint for shading. I gave her a big brown mole on her nose, and scary red eyes. I then made the stem of the pumpkin the point of her hat by painting it black and made a circle around the top with black paint for the rest of her hat. It was a big hit and I received many compliments.
Another thing I am known for painting is bruises on people’s faces. Two years ago a friend of mine was a prisoner, so I gave him a black eye. I did not use paint, I used different eye shadow shades and a brush and most people throughout the night thought it was a real black-eye. I started out using a base of concealer so the eye shadow stuck well. I then did a base of purple lightly dusted on. Over that I did a light dusting of blue and a little bit of yellow. Finally I dabbed black in random spots.
Another fun painting idea is two little red dots on a person’s neck to represent a “vampire bite.” This vampire bite can be combined with any costume, as a little extra! This is a fun idea because sometimes it takes other partygoers awhile to notice what happened to your neck! This is a great conversation starter. To do this use red lipstick can be dabbed far enough apart to represent the sharp teeth. To make it look a little more 3-D, black eyeliner can be used to shade the bottom of each bite mark.
Hope these Halloween tricks enhance your parties this year!
Jennifer
Monday, August 24, 2009
Halloween
Hello!
Halloween is only 2 months away! Better start preparing and sending out your invites. I decided I am going to be Maryann from True Blood. This is one of my group costume Ideas. Women can be the waitresses because the shirts are on the HBO website, then you can go to Walmart and pick up a $5 pair of plain black shorts!
As for recipe ideas I'm thinking some dirt cake with tombstones!
Also a red drink with scary eyeball ice cubes!
Have a good night
Jennifer
Halloween is only 2 months away! Better start preparing and sending out your invites. I decided I am going to be Maryann from True Blood. This is one of my group costume Ideas. Women can be the waitresses because the shirts are on the HBO website, then you can go to Walmart and pick up a $5 pair of plain black shorts!
As for recipe ideas I'm thinking some dirt cake with tombstones!
Also a red drink with scary eyeball ice cubes!
Have a good night
Jennifer
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Website Ideas
Hello there,
Since I was little Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I feel that October has the most perfect weather, and its just a great time of year. It also helps that October is the month of my birthday!
The website I will soon be creating will contain many Halloween ideas, more than just costumes. I know many fun Halloween Recipes, decoration ides, and even ideas what costumes to be if you can not think of one. It will be an inexpensive subscription into Halloween ideas from a poor college student's point of view.
Everyday I am asking my friends to help me come up with ideas, and therefore things should become more complex as I continue on my Halloween venture.
Adios.....
Since I was little Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I feel that October has the most perfect weather, and its just a great time of year. It also helps that October is the month of my birthday!
The website I will soon be creating will contain many Halloween ideas, more than just costumes. I know many fun Halloween Recipes, decoration ides, and even ideas what costumes to be if you can not think of one. It will be an inexpensive subscription into Halloween ideas from a poor college student's point of view.
Everyday I am asking my friends to help me come up with ideas, and therefore things should become more complex as I continue on my Halloween venture.
Adios.....
Friday, August 21, 2009
Halloween
Hello all,
Halloween is better than Christmas in my opinion. Everyone I know and I usually start coming up with homemade costumes months in advance. Being a college student I cannot afford to go to a Halloween store and spend a minimum of $75 for a cheap looking costume. Therefore this website is going to give many ideas for ideas using items you already own, and a few new purchases to have the best Halloween costume!
Scare ya Later
Jennifer
Halloween is better than Christmas in my opinion. Everyone I know and I usually start coming up with homemade costumes months in advance. Being a college student I cannot afford to go to a Halloween store and spend a minimum of $75 for a cheap looking costume. Therefore this website is going to give many ideas for ideas using items you already own, and a few new purchases to have the best Halloween costume!
Scare ya Later
Jennifer
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