Costumes, decorations and props. A short selling season, so stock, list and post on a tight calendar.
The kit our builder picks for a typical Halloween and seasonal seller. Change the answers to fit yours.
Storage
Holds tubs or boxes floor to ceiling in a small footprint.
Phone mount
A tall stand for showing clothing or trainers face on.
Lighting
Large, soft light for clothing and full-body shots.
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Order wholesale stock by early August so it's photographed and listed before buyers start searching. Late stock arriving in mid October misses most of the season.
Buy deep in a few popular costumes and sizes, and shallow in novelty lines. Leftover classic costumes sell again next year; this year's viral character may not.
Children's costumes sold new need a UKCA or CE mark, and most UK retailers add a keep away from fire warning on top. Ask your supplier for the test report if the label is missing, and don't stock costumes without one.
Plug in light up decorations need a UK plug and a UKCA or CE mark. Any battery item sold as a toy, and anything with a button battery, should have a compartment that needs a screwdriver to open.
Show costumes worn, or on a mannequin, plus a flat lay of every piece in the set. Give chest, waist and length measurements, as costume sizing runs small.
Shoot light up decor twice: once in daylight to show the item and once in a dark room so buyers can see the glow.
Whatnot and TikTok Shop buyers enjoy themed shows with decorations behind you and props on camera. Mystery bags of decor and sweets sell well in the last two weeks.
Tell viewers the last order date for delivery before 31 October at the start of every show. It prompts late buyers and saves complaints.
Fold costumes into a clear bag, then a mailing bag. Keep masks and hats in a box so they hold their shape.
Wrap ceramic pumpkins, glass lanterns and resin skulls in bubble wrap and box them with paper fill on every side. Test light up items before sealing the box.
Kit for this step
Switch to a faster tracked service for orders placed in the final week, and state the cut off date in every listing. A costume that arrives on 1 November usually turns into a refund request.
Book a collection or drop off daily during the peak, so parcels don't pile up in the spare room.
Each one costs you money or reviews, and each has a fix.
Complete kits for one kind of seller, costed and laid out.
What most orders like these go by, at today’s published prices. Prices checked 6 October 2026.
Royal Mail Tracked 48 Small ParcelUsual£3.75
Clothing and small boxed items up to 2 kg, with tracking for less than untracked 2nd Class.
InPost locker to locker, medium£2.59
Shoe boxes, books and bags up to 19 cm deep, sent between lockers when the buyer picks a locker.
Royal Mail Tracked 48 Medium Parcel£5.70 to £12.25
Trainers, homeware and electronics up to 20 kg, tracked and cheaper than untracked 2nd Class.
Latex masks in a bag. They crease and lose their shape.
One roll covers a few hundred small parcels.
Light boxes for boxed toys and beauty sets.
Step-by-step help for the jobs that come next.
Halloween sells in a narrow window. Buyers start browsing in September, the rush peaks in the first three weeks of October, and demand drops on 1 November.
Costumes and decor are bulky but light, so the size of the parcel sets your postage cost more than the weight. Children's costumes count as toys in law, so they need a safety mark and must meet the flammability standard.
The same approach works for Christmas jumpers, Easter decorations and Bonfire Night kit. Plan stock around the date, list early, and clear what's left at a discount when the day passes.
List from late August or early September. Buyers who order costumes for parties plan weeks ahead, and the last week of October brings late orders that need fast postage.
Yes. Costumes for children are treated as toys, so new ones need a UKCA or CE mark and should meet the flammability standard for dressing up clothes. Check the label before you buy wholesale stock.
No. In the UK, cosmetic contact lenses can only be sold under the supervision of a registered optician or doctor, even with no prescription power.
Soft foam props in bright colours are fine on most platforms. Realistic imitation firearms are restricted by law, and blades of any kind bring age checks, so leave them out.
Used adult costumes sell well on Vinted and Depop if they're washed and complete. Photograph every piece of the set laid out together, since missing hats and gloves are the most common complaint.
Run a clearance show or bundle sale in the first week of November, then store the rest dry and flat for next year. Decorations keep well; latex masks can perish.
