Shop Goodwill for Halloween & Avoid the Sheet of Failure!

This post is sponsored by Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region.

I’ve had my fair share of Halloween costume failures.  October is an extremely busy month for us so sometimes despite my best intentions, we are scrambling last minute for costumes for my three kids.  One year my daughter wanted to be a Lego.  I thought it would be a piece of cake to make but the box I planned to use didn’t fit right and the paint I had to use didn’t cover the writing on the box well, nor stick to the plastic applesauce cups I was using to make the “buttons” on the Lego.  I was frustrated and didn’t want to let my daughter down.  Luckily, a trip to Goodwill can solve all your Halloween woes!

Below are my Top 5 Tips for Halloween Shopping at Goodwill:

• Go in with an idea but keep an open mind —Brainstorm a couple of costume ideas before heading in to shop but let the inventory lead the way.  My older daughter usually has a VERY specific idea for her costume but since Goodwill isn’t a department store, you might have to be more flexible.  This actually leads to a more creative and unique costume in the end!  Find a piece that inspires you, then build your costume around it. Thrift Halloween inventory is completely unique and random, and put out multiple times daily – so there is no running out of “the good stuff,” even on the last day!

• Take advantage of Goodwill Costume Helpers — during the Halloween season costume experts are on hand to help you bring your costume ideas to fruition. Most Goodwill stores have REAL costume experts who have done Halloween DIY for years. Stimulate your brain. Walk through a costume section to see what pops then ask a helper for suggestions to pull the look together!

• Don’t just stay in the Halloween section—“Dr. Strange’s” coat could be in the men’s or women’s coat section at the thrift store. The entire store is a treasure trove of options! Use your costume experts to know where base attire may be located. Goodwill’s save “costume-potential” items all year long to give you the pick of the crop and ultimate variety.
• Buy new too! — Goodwill’s negotiate at national Halloween trade shows as one of America’s largest store chains, getting better deals on new merchandise and accessories than many other stores. Blend good prices on new with the pricing and variety of thrift and you end up with an unbeatable deal through Goodwill.  I usually find great new wigs in the Halloween section!

• Consider varying the colors or style from a specific attire – this is your time to shine, make your costume your own unique interpretation on a classic or current character or create something new of your own.  I love this idea of a black and white photo (above) Get creative and have fun!

BONUS TIP: If you have the time, be sure to shop around for other holidays or events like Spirit Day so you’ll be prepared ahead of time.  You might stumble upon the perfect ugly sweater for a Christmas Ugly Sweater Party or some fun pajamas for pajama day at school. Keep those ideas in the back of your mind as you shop — mom multi-tasking at it’s best!

Shopping for Halloween at Goodwill is for a good cause: Goodwill thrift store sales fund free education in a variety of career fields such as culinary, barista, construction, advanced manufacturing, warehouse, computers and more. Shop to help your local community and continue the cycle by donating your past Halloween attire along with other household items!

About Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region: Our vision is that very person has the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive in all aspects of life. Our mission is to help people reach their fullest potential through education, job placement, and career pathway services made possible by community donations, purchases and partnerships. As a unique, nonprofit social enterprise serving 15 counties, Goodwill leverages its thrift store revenue and community support to provide the region’s unemployed with free career path training, life skills education and job placement in a variety of fields. This year Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region is on track to help 7,000 people gain new skills and enhance their quality of life through entry into computer and office, culinary, construction, environmental cleanup, barista, retail, and manufacturing & warehousing careers. These programs are funded through generous financial gifts, public/private grants, business partnerships, and revenue from our 37 thrift stores (including online sales), and salvage/recycle operations.  Find out more at www.goodwillwa.org.