The start of the holiday season begins with Halloween – and allows for thinking differently to get the things you need for you and your family to celebrate the season.

Halloween costumes

Start planning for your Halloween costume and take advantage of all the great resources Portland offers for making or renting a costume.

Make your own costume
Used clothing and reuse craft stores allow you to create a unique and inexpensive costume of your own making.

• SCRAP: Find all kinds of fabric and supplies at super low prices. Explore ways to get crafty, adorn a costume, and make hair wreaths or masks.
• Cool homemade costume ideas can be found online.

Rent a costume
No time or crafty abilities to make your own? Renting gives you options for a stand-out costume.

• Helen’s Pacific Costumers and Hollywood Costumers offer costumes for rent.

Reused costumes
There are great finds lurking throughout the city.

• Vintage clothing shops abound in Portland, with clothing options for all decades.
• Red Light Clothing Exchange and Buffalo Exchange often have used costumes for sale leading up to Halloween.
• Consignment/thrift clothing stores are great resources for costumes, or clothes to make costumes.
• Children’s resale shops may have kids’ costumes as well.
• Or plan a costume swap – your friend’s costume from last year may be perfect for you this year.

Halloween entertaining

Reuse or repurpose decorations from past years to brighten your home. Share an adventure to Sauvie Island with pumpkin picking, tractor rides, local foods and fun for the whole family.

• Buy seasonal food that looks beautiful on your plate: apples, pears, cranberries, winter squash, hazelnuts, walnuts, chard, kale, leeks, beets and potatoes.
• Decorate your table with pumpkins and gourds that can be composted when you’re done with them.
• Borrow or rent durable dishes, flatware and linens for larger parties and gatherings to add beauty to the table and save money over time. 

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.