It's that spooky time of year again, when you have buy sweets for the neighbours and hope you won't eat them yourself - but where's the best place to buy?
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Cut-the-Cost offers tips and advice on everything from your phone bill and energy costs, bin collection, broadband and even your shopping.
This week we're taking a deep dive into the ghoulish world of Halloween (shopping).
From pumpkins to witches hats, we crunch the numbers at six retailers and see who gives you what.
Dunnes
Multipack of Haribo jellies: €5.00 (512g)
Multipack of Tayto crisps: €4.00 (12 pack)
Multipack of Funsize bars: €4.49 (Mars)
Witches hat: N/A
Monkeynuts: €0.49 (120g)
Black bin bags: €2.19 (20 pack 80l)
Pumpkin: €5.49 (Large)
Supervalu
Multipack of Haribo jellies: €3.75 (352g)
Multipack of Tayto crisps: €4.55 (12 pack)
Multipack of Funsize bars: €4.00 (Mars)
Witches hat: N/A
Monkeynuts: N/A
Black bin bags: €1.25 (10 pack 90l)
Pumpkin: €3.50 (Large)
Lidl
Multipack of Haribo jellies: N/A
Multipack of Tayto crisps: €4.29 (12 pack)
Multipack of Funsize bars: €3.99 (Lidl variety)
Witches hat: N/A
Children's costume: €6.99
Monkeynuts: €2.49 (500g)
Black bin bags: €2.19 (10 heavy duty 120l)
Pumpkin: €2.99 (Large)
Aldi
Multipack of Haribo jellies: €3.39
Multipack of Tayto crisps: €4.29 (12 pack)
Multipack of Funsize bars: €3.99 (Mars)
Witches hat: N/A
Children's costume: €6.99
Monkeynuts: 0.49c (150g)
Black bin bags: 1.89 (10 heavy duty 100l)
Pumpkin: €2.49 (Large)
Dealz
Multipack of Haribo jellies: €2.00
Multipack of Skips crisps: €2.00 (6 pack)
Multipack of Funsize bars: €2.50 (Mars Snack Size)
Witches hat: €2.50
Monkeynuts: €1.50
Black bags: €1.50 (8 pack 240l)
Pumpkin: N/A
EuroGiant
Multipack of Haribo jellies: €3.00
Multipack of Tayto crisps: N/A
Multipack of Funsize bars: €4.00
Witches hat: €2.00
Monkeynuts: N/A
Black bags: €1.50 (5 pack 300l)
Pumpkin: N/A
Aoife (10) and Cathal (8) dress for Halloween at Glasnevin, Dublin in October 2020. Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ieIrish Times journalist who specialises in parenting, Jen Hogan, said parents shouldn't feel pressured.
"Back to the olden days... you got maybe a bar or an apple, a single thing was handed out," she said.
"Now, there's this kind of pressure to have party bags or specially created things to hand out.
"We're being fed this idea of getting your little Halloween party bag and giving that out to trick-or-treaters, rather than just coming and getting one thing and off they go.
"It's definitely something that everybody feels."
'Let that be enough'
Jen said repurposing a costume could save you time and money.
"Go back through the costumes that you have; if you have multiple kids, there's sometimes hand-me-downs.
"If it's a case of you agree to one particular costume for a child, and you have decided that you're going to buy one, if there are other occasions let them go to the dress up box which lots of kids will have anyway.
"See if there's something suitable there, swap costumes with pals.
"Just don't get pulled into the whole, 'You have to create party bags, you have to create specific displays'.
"The decorations are lovely and they're great, but shop around and the closer we get to Halloween the more bargains you're likely to get too.
"I think it's just being careful not to get dragged into the competitive side of things.
"It's a fabulous day, kids love it and if you're a parent who feeds off the kids excitement you'll love it too.
"Let that be enough for you, rather than getting caught up in the whole commercial side of things," she added.
