I'm not buying my 4 kids Halloween costumes this year. Instead, they're creating their own out of what we have.

• I'm a mom of four and decided this year I was not spending any money on Halloween costumes.
• Last year I gave each a $40 budget for costumes and on Halloween three chose to stay home.

Each fall, I begin the agonizing, who-wants-to-be-what-for-Halloween discussion with my four kids.

Like many, mine children their minds no fewer than five times — per child — per Halloween season. I try to be financially responsible, attempting to purchase costumes when they are on sale. However, that's when my children will inevitably declare they no longer want that particular costume.

This year, I told them we were finding things in our house to create their costumes. They were surprisingly into the idea.

Sticking to a costume can be hard, an affording it even harder

This year, my youngest declared that she would be a dog walker for Halloween. Then she said her dad would dress up as the dog. Now, my husband is an incredibly good sport, but he said that, no, he won't dress up as a dog — leash and all.

Another of my children was insisting on dressing a Transformer. A complete Transformer costume in his size will set us back $150.

There have been times we've managed to score the costume they wanted on sale, only to have the child hate the feeling of the fabric.

Halloween has taken on a mind of its own, between the Boo Baskets — buckets of Halloween surprises that some parents put together for their kids — all the events, and the costume hunts.

Last year, I decided to let each kid get a new costume, with a $40 per kid budget. Which, if you've bought Halloween costumes in recent years, you would acknowledge is a tight budget. During our town's scheduled trick-or-treat night, it started drizzling. Three of the four kids begged us to stay home. My husband took our youngest out while the older kids and I watched a movie.

This year, they are using things we already have to dress up — if they want to

With the rising costs of everything and the hours I have to pour into tracking down costumes and accessories, we're having a retro Halloween this year.

They can through their closets and dressers, swap costume items with their siblings, and slap something together that's comfortable and brings them joy. Another option: they can go through the art supplies we own, miscellaneous items from years of compiling leftover school supplies, and craft their own costume.

Or, they can see if last year's costume fits and wear that. My oldest was a paratrooper last year — and her jumpsuit fits fine. My son was a Power Ranger, and his sweatshirt with hood, which doubles as a mask, also still fits. My second kiddo was a referee last year, and all she needs is a whistle to complete the look. My youngest, well, she can be a dog walker if she desires, using stuffed animals as her pets.

If my kids so choose, they can dress up, and we'll attend a trunk-or-treat or go trick-or-treating.

I broke the news to my kids, and surprisingly, they were fine with it

I'm not going to pile on credit card debt for one or two Halloween celebrations.

Holidays should be about spending time together and making memories. As tempting as it can be to make my kids' Halloween experience supposedly more magical by purchasing things they don't need, I am reminded of last fall. Snuggling on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn and a movie was perfect.