Halloween Inspiration Awaits At Party City Of Pasadena

By early October, how many people have started their Halloween shopping? Yes, you heard that correctly — Halloween shopping. Believe it or not, Halloween is second only to Christmas in the ranks of holidays when customers spend the most money. Costumes, decorations, party favors and candy are all important parts of the celebration, but with a little bit of creativity and planning, anyone of any age can have fun and keep up with the trends without breaking the bank.

“Halloween is the first holiday that kids are looking forward to once school starts,” explained Holly Cole, owner of Party City in Pasadena, who said that kids will start planning for Halloween as early as late August or early September. “After the back-to-school season, we see an uptick in business,” she indicated.

Already, Cole has a strong sense of the trends that will be big this Halloween. Classics are always popular, and 2015 will see updated styles for many of these mainstays. Witches might have trendy flair to their costumes instead of the basic black. Zombies and ghouls will have realistic blood or might have standout accessories, such as a chain as a belt. Even ninjas and princesses are being updated to keep with the modern times. “These basic go-to costumes are always popular and have enjoyed new life with these updated looks,” Cole said.

Partygoers and trick-or-treaters who want something hip and timely can look at what movie characters and pop culture icons have recently been big. This category might include anything from superheroes like Captain America or Batman to heroes and villains from hit movies, like the minions from “Despicable Me” or practically anyone from the “Star Wars” franchise. Because some characters change appearance ever so slightly with each media adaptation, costumers can choose between the classic look and the modern one.

Dressing up for Halloween is a tradition that transcends age, and many adults and young adults have embraced the chance to be creative for the holiday. Couples might dress as famous love interests from movies or TV shows. Similarly, families have the option of going as a group of characters.

Cole has even observed that costume manufacturers are starting to make costumes for teenage girls, who previously turned to more mature outfits designed for adult women. “In the past, the teen category has had costumes that are not parent-friendly,” she said. This year’s selection, however, will let teenage girls look attractive and sassy without looking too revealing or inappropriate.

Cole said that many people embrace the option of assembling their own costume rather than buying a fully pre-made one, as this gives them greater flexibility in budget and creativity. Party City carries all types of accessories for all kinds of characters — shoes, noses, wigs, jewelry, hats and so on. “If you can think of it, we carry it,” Cole laughed.

Shoppers will often browse the accessory aisle and load up on five or six accessories that they can use with a base costume from home. A girl can pair a tiara, wand and wings with a hand-me-down bridesmaid dress to instantly become a fairy. All a boy needs to become a pirate is an eye patch, bandana and sword worn with some tattered old clothes. The possibilities are endless.

These accessories become especially useful because they’re reusable. “Accessories pack a punch in the pocketbook,” Cole said, explaining that church fundraisers, high school spirit week, themed bachelorette parties and even team-building days at the office can all be great excuses for parents to recycle costume accessories. “With so many events to dress up for, this has become a year-round staple in the marketplace,” Cole added. The same goes for decorations and effects, which Party City carries in addition to costumes: Larger items such as fog machines and black lights can be used over and over again not only for Halloween but also for birthday parties, the school play and other events.

By the time October arrives, most people have started buying what they need for their Halloween plans. Cole emphasized that although Party City gets new stock every week, shoppers might face larger crowds and decreased inventory from the second week of October onward.

Now is the ideal time to plan for an exciting and fun-filled Halloween, and with so many choices and inspiring ideas, Party City is a great starting point. The store carries items for any member of the family, whether they want something scary, cute, sassy or funny. “Halloween continues to be a perfect holiday to show your character,” Cole said. “The sky’s the limit.”

Party City is located in the Jumpers Junction Shopping Center at 8044 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. The Pasadena store will also host the Part-Time Princesses for a meet-and-greet on Sunday, October 18. Families can stop by to meet the Snow Queen and her sister from 11:00am to noon, Beauty and the Little Mermaid from noon to 1:00pm and a patriotic superhero from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. For more information, call 410-590-6470.