The spooky season is upon us. We’ve dusted off the cobwebs and picked the best Halloween treats, costumes and decorations from centre:mk to help you prepare for the night of fright.
Yes, it’s that time of the year again where everyone is scrambling to get to their pumpkins and decorations in order. Pumpkin carving is a great activity to do in the lead up to Halloween, grab your pumpkins from M&S Food hall from as little as 65p and keep the kids entertained this half term.
Whether you plan to transform your house into a haunted mansion or just sprinkle your home with the Halloween festivities, we have collated the go to shops for you. You don’t need to spend a fortune to create the ultimate spooky setting for your trick or treaters, Poundland has everything you could need from mini ghost and pumpkin ornaments, lights and tinsels and outdoor decorations. You can also pick up your sweet treat bags for £1, with a variety of sweets to have smiles on everyone’s faces.
John Lewis & Partners is a great alternative for the Halloween fanatics if you want to spend a little more for decorations that will last more than a few years. They have a great selection to choose from like this Haunted House, £18 or Pumpkin Wreath, £18. You could even use some of their sweet treats to decorate the inside of your home, we love this Skeleton Gingerbread man, £6. After the night draws to a close, it’s the perfect size to share with the whole family.
Now, the most stressful part of Halloween is choosing your costume. Are you going to pick the newest box office character, round up your friends and family for a group costume, or go for the famously popular witch or skeleton costume? We have found all the best looks to shop in centre:mk for all ages.
Let’s start off with the little ones. It may be your baby’s first Halloween, so finding an adorable but comfortable outfit is essential. Mothercare costume all in ones are perfect, especially this Witch costume and even better it’s on offer for just £6!
Boots have also stocked Halloween themed all in ones. These are great to wear all month round, how cute is mummy’s little pumpkin? They have 2 for £9 or 3 for £13. Definitely the place to stock up and celebrate all month long!
As your kids start to grow up, they want to choose their own costumes. John Lewis & Partners have an amazing collection of costumes from skeletons and pumpkins to dinosaurs and unicorns. Better yet they are all onesies, making fancy dress that little bit easier. Skeleton outfit, £14 Dinosaur, £18.
As well, we all know Build-A-Bears are a firm favourite with kids. What better way to celebrate the 31st than matching their costume to their favourite teddy. Build-A-Bear skeleton outfit, £10 is perfect. They could also share some spooky snuggles with this adoraBOO mini Halloween plush! £8.
Adult costumes are always harder, we know it’s more convenient to grab some black clothes and lots of face paint and you’re complete. However Primark have created a Halloween edit making picking your costume super easy, with costumes, accessories and shoes! Check out their Harley Quinn full costume that you can pick up for under £30. Or for men, grab yourself a full skeleton costume and what’s better, it’s a tracksuit!
Whether you want your Halloween makeup to be extra creepy with fake blood and liquid latex, or pretty and glamourous with bright colours and glitter. Boots and Superdrug have all the essentials for you to create your masterpiece. If your makeup is the transformer of your costume, Boots Makeup Obsession face paint palette, is great to create makeup looks that will last all night long.
However if you’re going for glamour, Superdrug’s chunky glitter, £5.99 is brilliant to compliment any makeup look. To finish off the overall look pop on some Eyelure Exaggerate Eyelashes from Boots and Superdrug, £7.25 and some ‘Halloweeny’ earrings from Claire’s, £3-9 and your look is complete.
Halloween is the perfect time to treat yourself to a sugary treat, get in the October spirit with Krispy Kreme’s new Halloween special donuts. Grab a limited edition Halloween dozen box for £13.45 featuring slime rings, Jack O Lantern, Sid the Slime Monster, Spooky Sprinkles and the Toffee Apple doughnuts, there's no tricks just treats!
Are you hosting a Halloween spectacular? If that’s you grab your party nibbles and treats from M&S and Mr Simms for themed goodies. M&S have great savoury snacks from Vampire Fangs crisps and Magical Dragon Eggs, £3-5.
For the sweet tooth party attenders, Mr Simms currently have Halloween party cones, and treat platters to share. Pop into store to pick your favourite sweets and create your own Halloween bundle. Now, you can’t host a Halloween party without balloons! Neon Sheep is the go to place with great ‘Boo’ blow up balloons perfect to finish your Halloween setting.
To banish those blues when the clocks go back this weekend, treat yourself to a cosy mug of hot chocolate. This luxurious winter warmer is made with Hotel Chocolat’s unique milk-caramel chocolate and a pinch of Maldon sea salt, topped off with whipped cream. Pair it with one of their Halloween boo box of chocolate, £8. Perfect to keep you warm this autumn winter and brighten your day on these dark chilly mornings. If you want to stock up on the winter warmer drinks, Whittard’s limited edition Halloween Chocolate Popcorn Tea, £9 will look brilliant on your kitchen side and tastes amazing with blended green tea coated in matcha and cocoa powder.
How are you spending October 31st? Whatever your plans are, centre:mk has something to prepare you for the spooky day.