Budget Party – Under $15 Halloween Party

When Oriental Trading offered me some products for a Halloween blog post I was very excited. The real challenge was not wanting to buy EVERYTHING. So I set myself a challenge to spend as little as possible. (Crazy I know).

My first criteria with Halloween Decorations was that they were CHILD friendly. Even if my kids find blood and gore acceptable, I don’t. When I came across the BOO Bunch Range I thought it was perfect. I bought the following items below, which came in packs of 12 giving me loads of decorations for my very large room. I used two black table cloths (which I already had) to cover the table. I finished off the table with last years trick or treating buckets but you can buy some new ones and still be under $15. We were lucky enough to have a black wall so we used chalk to decorate it. We will probably add some more spiders and webs to the wall before the party too (using chalk).

Once you have added the food the table will not look so bare and it will add a new dimension. (I will add updated photo’s once the day arrives and the food goes out)

Boo Bunch Dangling Swirls – $2.99

Boo Bunch Cutouts $4.99

Black Table cloth $1.50

Jack O lantern tubs $2 for discount store

Add some extra Jack O Lanterns for a bigger party.

Oriental Trading supplied a $100 store credit for this review. I have some more exciting BUDGET party themes coming up soon!. Thanks Oriental Trading!

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Okay, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the Popsicle Stick Playing Cards project floating around on Instructables, I wasn’t entirely sold. Popsicle sticks and playing cards? Sounds like a summer camp throwback, right? But curiosity got the best of me (as it usually does with anything slightly crafty and slightly quirky), and I decided to give it a whirl.

And let me just say: I loved this project way more than I expected to.

At its core, this DIY is super simple. You’re basically fusing old playing cards with humble craft sticks to create chunky, tactile “cards” that are durable enough for little hands — or just to enjoy as a cool novelty set. The end result? A full deck that feels a little bit rustic, a little bit retro, and totally unique.

What I really appreciated about this project was how accessible it was. You don’t need anything fancy to get started — just some basic glue, scissors, popsicle sticks (standard size worked fine for me), and of course, a deck of cards that’s either past its prime or missing a few members. We all have one of those lying around somewhere, right?

I ended up using an old UNO deck that was looking pretty rough around the edges, and it turned out great. The cards stick well to the wood, and once everything’s dry, you get these sturdy, chunky pieces that have such a fun hand-feel. It almost reminds me of vintage tile games or big wooden dominoes.

This would be such a great project for kids — whether it’s as a rainy-day craft, a classroom activity, or even as part of a DIY learning game (think memory matching or number recognition). I can see this also being a hit with older adults or people who need cards with a little more grip or visual clarity.

Plus, if you’re a DIY gift-giver like I am, imagine pairing these with a handmade fabric pouch or wooden box for a personalized twist. It would make a really thoughtful and low-cost present for a game lover or nostalgic friend.

Now, one tiny tip: make sure to let everything dry completely before stacking or using them. I rushed a bit on my first batch and ended up with a few cards stuck together. A bit of sanding or sealing would probably help prevent that too, especially if you want them to last.

Overall, this craft hit all the right notes — easy, upcycled, fun, and surprisingly satisfying to hold in your hands when they’re done. It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into something old, and I honestly can’t wait to make a few themed sets as gifts.

So if you’re on the fence, give it a try. It’s playful, it’s practical, and hey, it might just be your new favorite weekend project.

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