How to Organize (and Exorcise) Your Halloween Costumes
As a professional organizer, I've worked in my fair share of creaky attics, moody basements, and cobwebby corners. I've come face-to-face with eight-legged roommates. Real ones. The kind that skitter across the room like they own the place. Each time, I put on a brave face, grab my organizing bag (a.k.a. pretend proton pack), and do my best to vanquish the ghosts of neglected projects past from the darkest corners of your home.
So when I stumble upon a bin, a box, or a random bag bursting with a little Halloween magic—glittery capes, inflatable tacos, a handmade ghost costume with googly eyes—suddenly, the cobwebs feel less creepy and more comical. The fake spiders? A welcome relief. At least these ones don’t move, even if they do feel impossible to wrangle into a bin with their wiry legs.
The creative side of me has much respect for those people who go all out for Halloween, treating the occasion like a full-blown production, complete with props, wigs, and a commitment to spooky excellence. These are my people. But the organizer side of me knows that even the most spirited costume collections can morph into a haunted heap of tangled wigs, rogue eye patches, and deflated dinosaurs, unless given a little special attention when the spooky season ends.
If your costume collection is starting to resemble a haunted treasure trove, here are some tricks (and treats) to tame your costumes without losing all the super sweet fun.
Sort Like a Sorcerer
That’s right. It’s time to gather, my little spooky goblins. The first step in this organizing spell is to sort your items into categories. This goes for costumes, haunted decor, or any other seasonal accessories. Whatever you do, beware of those scary "miscellaneous” bins. They are where good intentions go to die.
Sort costumes by theme (e.g., spooky, silly, historical, pop culture) or by person (kids, adults, pets—yes, even your dog deserves his own section). You can use color-coded bins or tags to make sorting even easier. Orange for spooky, purple for whimsical, black for anything involving fake blood.
Star in your own version of The Purge
Donate gently used costumes to schools, theaters, or shelters. Toss anything that’s torn or stained (not on purpose, of course). Your future self will thank you for not having to wrestle with a melted latex mask ever again.
If it helps you, perform a little ritual:
Light a candle (optional, but points for the dramatic)
Whisper “I release you” while tossing your item into the donation bin
Resist the urge to keep those glittery devil horns “just in case”
Contain those Spooky Spirits
Now that you've purged the forsaken, it's time to store the survivors. Use clear garment bags or zippered pouches to keep full costumes together—wig, accessories, sass and all. No more scavenger hunts for that one elusive pirate hook. Vacuum-seal bulky items like mascot suits or inflatable unicorns (because yes, those exist and yes, they take up half your closet). Add a sachet of lavender or cedar to each bag to keep musty smells and moths away because nothing ruins a vampire vibe quite like eau de basement.
Create a Costume Grimoire
Whether it’s a spreadsheet, photo catalog, or enchanted scroll, track what you own. It’ll save you from buying your fifth identical witch hat and help you plan group costumes with eerie efficiency. Keep a wishlist of costume ideas for next year. That way, when inspiration strikes in July, you’re ready.
Label with Personality
Always, always add labels for future you. We think we'll remember, but we almost never do. And since Halloween is meant to be fun, skip the boring "Seasonal: Halloween" labels and add a little flare. Think: Witch, Please. Or: Creep Couture. Or even: Dead Sexy. If you’re feeling techy, you can label with QR codes to link to your Costume Grimoire. It’s basically magic.
Final Trick (or Treat)
Store everything in one designated “Halloween Zone.” Whether it’s in a closet, under-bed bin, or attic corner, keep it sacred. No rogue bunny ears in the kitchen drawer. No glitter capes buried under basketballs in the garage. Respect the costume, and it won't haunt you down the road.
Now it's time to grab your broom, light a pumpkin-scented candle, and get to organizing. Because nothing says “I’m a functional adult” quite like knowing exactly where your glow-in-the-dark skeleton suit lives.
Happy Organizing! And may your costumes always be creepy, clean, and easy to find!
