We all want our kids to have the cutest costumes. But let’s face it- they’re only going to wearing these for a few hours and by next year, they’ll be too small. Instead buying my kids costumes at my local costume shop or party store, I decided to see what kinds of deals I could find online this year. And surprisingly, there are lots of bargains to be had!

1. Shop late to get the best deals. You may think that by shopping late, you’ll only get the leftovers. But this isn't necessarily true. In terms of the retail world, October 12 is late to be shopping for a Halloween costume! With shelves already lined with Christmas ornaments and lights, now is the perfect time to get a great deal on a Halloween costume. Major retailers like The Children’s Place have already marked their costumes down by 30%.
2. Look for Halloween coupons before buying. Here are just a few:
   Kohls: 20% of kids & baby Halloween costumes with code SPOOKY20
   Kmart: 40% off Halloween costumes
   Spirit Halloween: 20% off any one item with code SPAF20
   Extreme Halloween: $5 off purchase of $35 or more with code CJ5
3. Don’t pay for shipping. Look for sites that have free shipping offers.
4. Negotiate your price. Check out sites like eBay and Craigslist for deals on Halloween costumes- some may even be brand new.
5. Think BIG. Try not to narrow your search to 1 character or idea. Start with a list of 3-4 ideas and see which one yields the best price.

For all current Halloween costume deals, see costume and Halloween.

image courtesy of epSos.de