October 32nd: Halloween
Bargain Shopping!
Credit for the term "October 32nd" goes to
Alec Gibson, my Canadian ex-girlfriend Katherine's husband. We
were discussing how Halloween doesn't really end until the next
day. Canada has Boxing Day after Christmas... so why can't
Halloween have something equivalent? Alec coined it: October 32nd
it is!
Even after
all the partying and Trick or Treating on Halloween night (especially
on those years the 31st falls on a weekend), we still have to get up
early the next morning for the November 1st sales. It's like the
punctuation at the end of the season, and so it doesn't feel like it's
the next month; it
We live in the DFW metroplex, so it's only a short drive to any store,
and we usually hit two or three of each of the following:
- Halloween
USA/Cow Halloween/Spirit - These seasonal Halloween stores are
usually just about cleaned out by Halloween night, but I sometimes find
some good pieces to dress up as decorations. (Note: Don't ever
buy anything motorized/electronic from Spirit. It's crap that
will break within 12 months of purchase. I worked at one of their
stores, so this goes beyond a personal anecdote.)
- Garden
Ridge - A home decor place. I usually check them for yard
decorations. They carry a lot of larger items like full-size
skeletons even, although those usually sell out long before
Halloween. (I bought three!)
- Target
- The best place for marked-down candy. Target is very
good about pricing seasonal items to move them the moment their
cultural relevance expires.
- Walmart
- Not exactly the best place for quality decorations, but
sometimes they have unique items, especially candy. If you happen
to hit them at the right time, you can catch a department manager
trying to clear out the whole aisle. We picked up giant styrofoam
gravestones for a dollar a piece one year.
- Michael's
- A craft store chain similar to Hobby Lobby, only it isn't
owned by religious nuts in Oklahoma, so they're open on Sunday and
carry better Halloween-related products.
- Craigslist
- I always search for people trying to unload their decorations
in the days immediately after Halloween. Folks usually start
trying to get rid of things rather than re-packing it all to store
until a garage sale. It's a great source for custom props.
Copyright
2011
the Ale[x]orcist.
