Halloween: Last-minute deals for the spooked out

The cost of Halloween costumes has sent shivers up the spine of many Dubai residents as the ghoulish festival unveils on October 31, with the hefty price tags playing cruel tricks on many.

The average on costumes for young children across several speciality stories across the city ranges between Dh190 to Dh300, while adult attire easily settles between Dh500 to Dh700; accessories, of course, add another Dh100 to the total cost.

Said Mathan Thaker, a father of two, who was desperately seeking a skeleton’s costume for his six-year-old in the aisles of The Party Zone in Town Centre, Jumeirah: “This is my fifth store in the last two days. I turned away from the others because the prices were nothing short of highway robbery.

“Paying Dh350 for some costumes for a six-year-old is plain silly; especially when the child will wear the outfit for an average two hours and never see it again.”

Another parent, Melanie Malcolm, had a similar story to share, whilst crouched in the aisle of Party World, Palm Strip Mall. She said: “I don’t understand who coughs up for such prices. Back in the United States, your average child’s costume wouldn’t cost you more than $20 (Dh73).

“What you see in Dubai is sometimes a 200 per cent mark-up. Imagine the cost that befalls on a parent who has two kids to dress up and maybe plans to take time out to enjoy Halloween themselves with their partner. The cost would go into thousands of dirhams.”

Malcolm said there are many other parents such as her that are scouting from store to store, looking for last-minute sales or deals.

“If not, I am desperately trying to convince my child for a costume change,” laughed Thaker. “In the span of two days, I have convinced her to move from a fairy to a chimpanzee to a skeleton. Now, looking at the price of the Red Riding Hood costume, I think we could wolf this one down.”

Killer deals on costumes

All is not lost though, as October 31 approaches, many stores are putting on last minute sales and deals, with even supermarkets joining in the parade.

Emirates 24|7 scouts through the aisles to bring you the best price treats for All Hollow’s Eve.

- Best for children costumes: Head to The Party Zone, Jumeirah Town Centre where the specialised store promises a treasure trove of costumers for the young ones. Prices start at just Dh75 for a simple robe and mask, with more intricate skeleton costumers ranging between Dh125 and Dh150.

Also available at Dh125 are Little Red Riding Hood costumes, along with Cleopatra, male and female pirate and much, much more.

- Best for adult male/female: While The Party Zone will certainly offer up a crazy collection of costumes, we still prefer Mr Ben’s Costume Closet at Al Ghazal Mall, Jumeirah, with a special sale now ongoing on the Halloween collection.

Costumes start at Dh225 for a Gothic Count and go up to Dh600 for slipping into the orange skin of Hellboy.

But if the prices seem too steep, you can rent most of these quality costumes for Dh275 for two days, with a Dh1,000 cash deposit.

- Best for masks/hats/accessories: Grab your witch’s hat and broom for as little as Dh45 at The Party Zone outlet at Beach Centre Jumeirah. We also highly recommend Party City in Garhoud for some killer deals and accessories.

- Best for decorations: Surprisingly, skip the party shops and make a beeline for supermarkets such as Choithrams and Carrefour. Both places have great ghoulish delights to spook up your home, while their pumpkin candy bags and buckets are flying off the shelves for as cheap as Dh18. It doesn’t get better than this.

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