Our playroom has an entire bin of worn-once Halloween costumes. Most of them get used occasionally for dress-up, but there are loads that are just way too small! Yes, sometimes I can be sentimental - maybe I'm not ready to ditch the first costume the boys actually went trick or treating in, but we certainly don't need every costume. But the bigger question is what do you do with it?
Facebook marketplace is filled with ISO (in search of) and "please buy these", but we all know that costume trends change and you're probably NOT going to sell the costume for much. So we've rounded up some donation options you might want to consider:
1. Neighborhood groups: my old neighborhood used to have a costume swap. Even if the kids didn't want to wear the costumes for Halloween, there were lots of littles who just loved dressing up and let's face it - costumes are expensive!
2. Religious organizations with Childwatch rooms: Many organizations have babysitting rooms or child watch rooms that are always in need of new (to them) costumes.
3. Elementary Schools or PreSchools: check with your childrens' schools - maybe they have a production coming up and they can use the elements of one costume for another. OR maybe they need it for pretend play.
4. Children's Hospitals: this could be tricky, as sometimes there are guidelines on what can be donated and in what condition, but its always worth asking. Maybe its not the hospital itself, but a hospitality house nearby so that siblings of sick kids can either dress up for Halloween or for fun. Here in the Charlotte area, you could check with Ronald McDonald House, Hemby Children's or Levine Children's hospitals.
5. National organizations: In my search for what to do with my own costumes, I came across a few national groups that collect old, gently used Halloween costumes and repurpose them - giving them a second life with children who may not be able to celebrate Halloween with a brand-new costume. Check into the following:
- 'Ween Dream: What started as a small, one-woman costume collection effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, has turned into the only nationally-recognized Halloween costume donation organization providing thousands of costumes each year to children across the country. What’s more, ‘WEEN DREAM’s team of volunteers works to provide each child with a costume that has been hand-selected for their character preference, sizing, and special accommodations, if necessary. Over 100 volunteers have donated 12,000 hours of their time to match 15,000 new and gently-used costumes to ‘WEENSTERS in 38 states since 2014.
- Halloween Helpers: Developed in 2008 by then 11-year-old Emma Rose Shapiro the mission of The Halloween Helpers is to collect previously-enjoyed, gently-used Halloween costumes and donate them to children who may not typically be able to participate in this yearly celebration. Thanks to your generosity, The Halloween Helpers has had amazing success, In 2009, Emma collected more than 2,000 costumes. All were donated to children served by the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League. To date, Emma has gathered more than 15,000 costumes -- all donated to children in need throughout the WORLD! In 2021, we distributed 2,200 costumes to children through a number of organizations!
- Dress Up the House: The idea originated when Daniela Galdi, Founder of Dress Up The House, began donating years of once-worn costumes to goodwill. As a child, she repurposed dance recital costumes to make Halloween costumes. This was a more affordable option and a way to use her creativity and imagination, which is at the heart of the organization's mission for caregivers and parents. Her love for dressing up at Halloween, giving back, and the Ronald McDonald House's mission prompted her to start the drive in 2016. Since then, her efforts with the loving support and help of volunteers have collected over hundreds of costumes for families and raised thousands in funds from individual and business donors.
6. Local donation centers: While not specifically for Halloween or Costumes, you might consider donating to any of these organizations locally:
