Bargain Moose

*** Contest now closed ***

I’m doing something a little different in this Bargainmoose contest… we’re going to have a costume contest for Halloween! And I will be giving away a beautiful Amazon Kindle ebook reader to one lucky Bargainmooser.

You’ve got over a week to prepare a brilliant Halloween costume. You can dress up yourself, or just dress up the kids instead.

So, if you want to win the Amazon Kindle ebook reader, here’s what you have to do:

• Get costumed!
• Print this image to include in the pic!
• Take a picture!
• Email it to us!

As this will be a contest where I am choosing the winner (and not a randomly generated number like other contests), judging will be based on originality, imagination, and lots of other creative aspects.

I will be posting your creations here on the Bargainmoose flickr feed, and I will announce the winner next week.

A few rules:

• Canadian entrants only
• One entry per household
• Must include the Halloween Contest image in your pic as proof of timeliness
• Ends 1st November 2010

In celebration of all things spooky (like the above bath bomb!) Candied Bath is offering 10% off all their entire store! Give your friends something less tricky and just as much a treat with sweet Halloween bath products.

Click here to shop Candied Bath Bakery

• Discount: 10% off
• Coupon Code: HALLOWEEN10
• Expires: 31st, October 2010

Make sure to check out all their Halloween bath treats before they are gone as several are out of stock already! They already have started on their Christmas stock so a good time for some early shopping.

Wow! Their deals keep on getting better and better! Yves Rocher has released a Halloween special coupon code sporting a sweet $10 off $30 discount (33.333333%!) and free shipping!

• Click through THIS LINK HERE to use the coupon

You need to click through the link above to use the coupon.

• Discount: $10 off + free shipping
• Coupon Code: HAL30
• Expires: 31st, October 2010

They are sporting a whole bunch of sweet Halloween themed products: definitely check out their ‘Halloween treats‘ selection. They also have a side promotion that with any purchase of $45 or more you will get a lovely winter themed fleece blanket. It looks like that $45 is ‘pre-coupon’ as I tested it and after I put the coupon on it stayed in my cart.

This deal is on for another 20 hours! Found this deal under Living Social: Edmonton, but you don’t have to be in Edmonton to use it. You can get $30 worth of Halloween Costumes from Costume Express for just $15. Shipping and taxes not included.

• Click here to go to this deal

Halloween Express looks to be a Canadian Company and they offer free shipping on orders over $65. Besides that shipping is really reasonable, budget shipping ranges from $3 – $5.

Fine print:

Limit 1 per person per order for yourself and 2 additional vouchers may be purchased as gifts and must be gifted to two different customers • Limit one voucher per order; cannot be combined with other vouchers • Shipping and taxes not included • Expires on 12/31/10

I have bought 2 vouchers from Living Social before and they are fabulous, my second favourite to Groupon.

Threadless is having a spook-tacular sale on their scary tees… get each for only $10!

• Click here to shop Threadless’ Halloween Tee Sale

Rather than go rambling on about the tasteless humour of God Save the Villain or the creepy sweetness of Ghost I will just attach a few pictures of some of the awesome tees you can find in this Threadless sale.

Also: If you don’t know WHAT you want, try “Trick or Treating“: Spend $5 and get a mystery shirt! These are SELLING OUT QUICK. So get one soon!

Lavish and Lime has released an early halloween coupon to satisfy your eco-loving hearts. Though it is a small one, it can take the edge of being eco-friendly these days.

• Click here to shop Lavish and Lime

Check out L&L’s Halloween Ideas for some fun things for you and your kids.

• Discount: $5 off $40
• Coupon Code: GREENHALLOWEEN
• Expires: 17th, October 2010

They have Envirosax PVC-Free Halloween Treat Bags and these most adorable hemet covers – like this devil one! If they made those for adults I might not have such an aversion to wearing a bike helmet! They also have this uber-cute lion helmet cover! Good costume for Halloween and then practical for all year round.

This is a similar Groupon deal to one posted last week here on Bargainmoose. Groupon Toronto is offering $30 worth of credit on Costumehub.com for only $15 again!

• Click here to buy the Groupon deal

Even though this is a Toronto Groupon deal, it’s an online offer so available to anyone.

Costumehub.com is a US based store, but Canadian shipping is available from $9.99 and the $30 credit can be used towards that cost too, if you don’t spend the full amount on items there. Even though they ship from the US, you could still be able to get a nice bargain on your Halloween costumes.

Apparently Iron Man is a very hot costume this year. I’ve even seen some people on the interwebs do some very elaborate home-made Iron Man costumes. There’s also a sexy section on Costumehub, but I cannot see me forcing my post-pregnancy body into a Adult Sexy Ghostbusters Costume as much as I’d like to try.

As I write this, there are only 16 hours left for the deal, so get in there fast!

This deal is only on for another 12 or 13 hours from when I am writing this, so you need to get in there fast (if you’re subscribed to the Bargainmoose email updates, you’ll have missed out)! The Toronto Groupon deal today is for Gelaskins – they are customizable skins for things like your iPhones or your laptops. You can get $30 worth of Gelaskins credit for only $15 today only!

• Click here to see the deal @ Groupon Canada

The $30 credit can be used for the next year, and it also includes shipping fees (but not taxes).

Gelaskins is a Toronto based store, but you can make your order online and they ship Canada-wide.

I looked to see if I could see a groovy skin for my new iPhone 4, and I really like this Bloom! It is $14.95. If I had to choose a skin for my Sony Vaio laptop, it would be this brilliant cityscape – graffiti skyline for $29.95.

UPDATE – Avigayil let me know that there is also a pretty good deal on the Edmonton Groupon too.

It’s an online deal, so available to anyone in Canada. You can buy $30 worth of CostumeHub credit for only $15!

• Click here to get the deal @ Groupon Edmonton

Avi says:

Shipping to Canada starts at $9.99. Prices in US $. However the coupon can go towards shipping if what you buy is less than the coupon value.

SO even though they ship from the US, you still might be able to get a great bargain on your Halloween costumes.

I was just browsing Sears half asleep and noticed they have their Halloween costumes out, and some of them are already discounted! So I thought I would post about it in case anyone is ‘still’ looking for their costume. They have some rather sexy ones for the women-folk!

25% off:

• Kiddie Creations Doctor Dress-up Set

20% off:

• Deluxe Xwing Pilot with Helmet Costume
• Disney© Deluxe Elina Costume
• Dust Bunny Costume

15% off:

• Disney© Kids’ Clubhouse Pink Minnie Mouse© Costume

10% off:

• Barbie Kids’ ‘A Fashion Fairytale’ Costume

$15 off:

• Deluxe Scarecrow Costume
• Dorothy Costume

There are a whole bunch more, just look around. Most of these deals end October 8, 2010 (except for the Kiddie Creations Costume).

This is the latest printable coupon for Party Packagers Canada, for Halloween Costumes. It’s for a 20% discount, in-store only, on Saturday the 2nd of October 2010 only, between 9am and 6pm.

• Click here to print your Party Packagers coupon

• Click here for the Party Packagers store locator

The printable coupon is a good excuse to go out and buy your Halloween costumes early.

I know this is really only a GTA, Calgary and Edmonton coupon, but it was very popular last year (see previous Party Packagers deals here), so I would like to share it with those of you in those areas.

Oh how I love Halloween!

If you’d like a 10% discount at Party Packagers Canada for their Halloween costumes soon, just sign up for their email newsletters.

• Click here to register @ Party Packagers Canada

Once you register, you will receive an email with the coupon immediately. When I signed up, the Party Packagers coupon arrived within a minute.

You can then use it in-store at one of their locations in GTA or Alberta. Just print it out and take it with you!

Terms and conditions:

One coupon per customer. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not valid towards the purchase of balloon bouquets or helium products. Expires on the 25th October 2010.

P.S. When you see this offer on the front page of the Party Packagers website, they state a 20% discount in an image, but it’s only a 10% discount when it actually comes though – shame.

Getting geared up for a party? Maybe some early Halloween shopping? Check out Single Source Party Supply! They have a ton of things to make your party a success!

• Click here to plan your party at Single Source Party Supply

Here are some coupon codes to make your trip a little cheaper:

• Discount: 10% off
• Coupon Code: Glimpse

• Discount: 5% off your merchandise when you order on Friday.
• Coupon Code: 5Friday

• Discount: 15% off your merchandise when you place your FIRST order!
• Coupon Code: 15First

• Discount: 20% off your merchandise when you order online on Saturday or Sunday.
• Coupon Code: 20Weekend

• Discount: 20% off your merchandise when you order on Wednesday.
• Coupon Code: 20Wednesday

Though prices are listed in USD they ship from IN Canada to Canadian addresses. Shipping is FREE over $40 worth of items, and below that operates on a tier basis.

They have a nice selection of Halloween themed items that are already 10% off. Don’t forget to read the Bargainmoose post about Halloween costumes.

I realise that I am writing this post well in advance of when you will need your Halloween costumes in October 2010, but I DO so like to be prepared! I like shopping online, so I usually shop very early if I know I need something special, like a Halloween costume! This gives me plenty of time to shop around, choose the costume I prefer, and make sure it will be shipped out on time.

So, here is a list of some deals and discounts from various Canadian and US costume stores, if you’d like to be well-prepared too, and get your Halloween costumes ordered!

OyaCostumes Canada

I’ll start off with a Canadian company – OyaCostumes.ca.

• Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ OyaCostumes

Some items I like from this store: the adult cow costume, the Ariel mermaid costume or the baby hot dog!

I cannot find any active coupon codes for OyaCostumes right now.

Regarding shipping, they ship Canada-wide, and it is a flat-rate of $9.95, or you can collect it in Montreal for free.

Costumesupercenter Halloween Costumes

Costumesupercenter is a US based store, which will ship to Canada.

Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ Costumesupercenter

And if you’d like some extra discount for Costumesupercenter, check these out:

• Coupon Code: SPOOKY
• Discount: 10% off $40+
• Expires: Unknown

Items that catch my eye: Lady Gaga Blue Swimsuit Adult Costume, the Boys Deluxe Muscle Light Up Iron Man Mark VI Costume, the Pink Bunny Newborn/Infant.

Regarding shipping from Costumesupercenter, the minimum shipping cost is $11.49, then possibly higher depending on the weight of your package.

Costumekingdom Halloween Costumes

Costumekingdom is a US based site, which ships to the Great White North.

• Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ Costumekingdom.com

For a bit of a discount at Costumekingdom:

• Coupon Code: INT10OFF
• Discount: 10% off
• Expires: Unknown

• Coupon Code: ckcost10
• Discount: $10 off $75
• Expires: Unknown

Some items that I really like: Victorian Vampiress Halloween Costume, Coffin Purse Clutch bag, or the Classic Horror Chainsaw. This one is a bit risqué -Down for the Count!

Shipping is quite steep, but it depends how much you want to order. It takes 10 to 20 days, so get your order in very early.

Buycostumes Halloween Costumes

Again, another company from the US, which ships to Canada

• Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ BuyCostumes.com

The costumes

• Coupon Code: vamp10
• Discount: 10% off $40+
• Expires: Unknown

Some items I like from BuyCostumes: Lil’ Lion Elite Collection Infant/Toddler Costume, the Pumpkin Flashlight or the Avatar Neytiri Child Costume!

Shipping to Canada is delivered within 1 – 11 business days. They bill you for the import duty at the time of checkout. You can see the charges at the shopping bag, and they seem pretty reasonable.

CostumeChik

CostumeChik Canada is a small Canadian company, based in Alberta.

• Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ CostumeChik Canada

Their selection doesn’t seem to be quite as big as some of the US sites, but it is worth a look to see if there is something you like. Some examples: the Backdraft Babe Firefighter Costume, the Bert Adult Sesame Street Costume, or the Buzzy Bumblebee Infant/Toddler Halloween Costume.

Shipping is via FedEx ground, within Canada, and arrives within 1 to 7 business days. It’s a flat rate of $11.95, which is pretty reasonable.

Costumecraze Halloween Costumes

Another US site, CostumeCraze.com ships costumes and accessories to Canada.

Click here to shop Halloween costumes @ Costumecraze

Here’s a CostumeCraze coupon code for a bit of a discount:

• Coupon Code: visa5
• Discount: 5% off
• Expires: 28th February 2011

I like these: the Deluxe Mad Hatter Costume, the Spider-Man 2 Trick or Treat Bag or the Adult Chicken Costume.

Canadian Shipping seems to start at $15 for UPS, then depends on how much you are spending. They say customs can delay your package by up to 1 to 2 weeks, so I would order well in advance from these guys. Duties aren’t included in your order charges. Spending over $50 gets an automatic $3 discount on your shipping too.

Are there any more Halloween costume companies that you have used in the past that I could add to this list?

P.S. I put a lot of working into writing this up. If you’d like to use the information elsewhere, please do so as long as you give me a courteous linkie! Thanks!

Over on the Canadian Old Navy Facebook page, they’ve announced that their Halloween costumes are now available to buy in-store. I know it’s very very early to be planning for your kids Halloween costumes, but how can you resist!!

• Click here for the Old Navy Canada store locator

UPDATE: You can now buy online too:

• Click here to buy Halloween costumes online

The costumes look really cute! There are a few pics of them on the Facebook page, and I can see mini sharks, bees, batman, pumpkins, fairies, cupcakes and more!  The cheeseburger looks brilliant!

Prices are mentioned in US dollars, so it will probably be different in your local Canadian store.

My little girl is 3 months old now, so she will be a grand total of 5 months old when Halloween comes. I cannot wait to dress her up! I don’t know if I will just grab a good deal on a store bought baby halloween  costume, or come up with something home-made, for a bit of fun. I’ve seen an awful lot of pictures round the internet where parents have laboriously outfitted their baby in brilliant costumes, such as this alien chestburster!

Happy halloween guys! I have Halloweenified the Bargainmoose blog for the weekend, to commemorate this spooky holiday! (If you cannot see the changes, press ctrl+F5 on your keyboard to force a refresh of the page)

It amazes me the lengths some people go to when creating Halloween carved pumpkins. You can find stunning examples from all over the internet, from the basic Halloween designs, to amazing cutouts of their favorite computer game characters.

When you google for carved pumpkins, there are so many results! Here are a few pictures that I found which really stood out:

Wow! Someone has done a really good job of this PumkpinObama! It doesn’t look like you can put a candle inside him though.

This one is absolutely fantastic – Predator! Look at the details in that thing!

A more Halloweeny theme here, Frankenstein.

Star Wars fan? Take a look at this Death Star pumpkin.

Finally, this isn’t just one carved pumpkin. The artist has used a few to create quite an interesting scene in his garden!

I tried my hand at a spooky face a few years ago, and it took me hour to carve that simple design. It was tough work, with the pumpkin skin and flesh being very difficult to work with. Perhaps I didn’t have good enough tools for the job!

Have you any interesting pumpkin experiences you would like to share?