Halloween decorations have come a long way from the days of just ripping up a couple of bin liners and taping them to the door frame at the last minute before the party starts.

It can be easy to go to town on expensive, fancy decorations, and these of course will last you for Halloween years to come, but if you're more of a buy-every-year mum or dad, try Aldi, Sainsbury's and Poundland for bunting, cheap bowls and paper skeletons that do the job for less than a fiver.

Spooky party essentials

  • <p> Fun Pumpkin Treat Halloween Wooden Hanging Sign, &pound;6.99, from Heartwarmers at <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heartwarmers-Pumpkin-Halloween-Wooden-Hanging/dp/B008KKKK70/ref=sr_1_7?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1346769285&amp;sr=1-7" target="_blank">Amazon.</a></p>
  • <p> Mr Creepy Magic, &pound;19.99, from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.johnadams.co.uk/" target="_blank">John Adam Toys&nbsp;</a>in all good toy shops.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Breathless banquet party paper cups (x12), &pound;2.80, Cloak and bats Party Mini Honeycomb bat straws (x6), &pound;2.99, both from <a href="http://www.woolworths.co.uk/" target="_blank">Woolworths.</a></p>
  • <p> Spider Trick or Treat Bag, &pound;6, from <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/" target="_blank">John Lewis.</a></p>
  • <p> Pumpkin Candy Baskets, &pound;2.50, from <a href="http://www.woolworths.co.uk/fancy-dress-party/e/b/100920/q/halloween/o/2/r/100.end" target="_blank">Woolworths.</a></p>
  • <p> Halloween Party Poppers, &pound;1, from <a href="http://www.poundland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Poundland.</a></p>
  • <p> Eight Pack Halloween Straws, &pound;1, from <a href="http://www.poundland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Poundland.&nbsp;</a></p>
  • <p> Pumpkin Pianta, &pound;6, from <a href="http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/" target="_blank">Wilkos.</a></p>
  • <p> Halloween Pumpkin Lights, &pound;1, from <a href="http://www.poundland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Poundland.</a></p>
  • <p> Cosmic Glow Moon and Stars two pack, &pound;6.25, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon.</a></p>
  • <p> Metal Pumpkin Lantern, &pound;10.99, from <a href="http://www.tch.net//" target="_blank">The Contemporary Home.</a></p>
  • <p> 26 Black Bats, &pound;20.99, from <a href="http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/11809457/art/noname/36-black-bats-11-long-dra.html" target="_blank">Pixmania.</a></p>
  • <p> Halloween Party Disposable Cups, &pound;1, from <a href="http://www.poundland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Poundland.</a></p> <div> </div>
  • <p> Hanging Breathless Dead Head Halloween Fancy Dress Stage Prop, &pound;28, from <a href="http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/10873579/art/parties-unwrapped/hanging-breathless-dead-h.html" target="_blank">Pixmania.</a></p>
  • <p> Spider Web Candleabra, &pound;12, from <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/231577121/Product.aspx" target="_blank">John Lewis.</a></p>
  • <p> Party invites, &pound;4.80, from <a href="http://www.carolinegardner.com/" target="_blank">Caroline Gardner.</a></p>
  • <p> Halloween Banner, &pound;5, from <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/" target="_blank">John Lewis.</a></p>
  • <p> Banner, &pound;5, from <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/" target="_blank">Waitrose.</a></p>
  • <p> Spider Tea Light Holder, &pound;3.50, from <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/" target="_blank">Waitrose.</a></p>