Goodwill South Florida Turns Up the Spook Factor with DIY Costumes, Haunted Bargains and a Mission That Gives Back.

October 28th, 2025

With Party City’s doors closing earlier this year, South Florida families have been on the hunt for a new Halloween headquarters. According to Karen Lithgow, Chief Marketing Officer of Goodwill Industries South Florida, the answer is clear: Goodwill has become “the New House of Halloween.”

“Our stores have more than just an abundance of gently used costumes,” Lithgow explained. “We carry donated costumes, new accessories, home décor, and other fun pieces for DIY looks. You can really find everything you need for a fun, affordable Halloween at Goodwill South Florida locations.”

That spirit of creativity and resourcefulness has fueled a growing trend among shoppers. With thrifting now the norm, families are reimagining how they celebrate Halloween. “We’ve definitely seen a rise in creative, DIY costumes,” Lithgow said. “Families can skip mass-produced merchandise and search our stores for unique pieces that can be paired together for one-of-a-kind family costumes. It’s also a sustainable solution, because some pieces can be worn throughout the year.”

College students are joining the trend too, turning Goodwill’s racks into a costume playground. The stores’ selection of ready-to-wear, donated costumes makes it easy to pull together something original without breaking the bank.

Goodwill has even found a way to connect Halloween fun directly to its mission of affordability, sustainability and community support. “Our new Costume Comeback initiative is the perfect combination of spooky fun and our mission,” Lithgow shared. “Throughout November, customers can donate their gently used Halloween costumes to Goodwill South Florida stores instead of discarding them. In return, donors receive a coupon for their next Goodwill purchase.”

The program helps keep costumes out of landfills and out of closets while ensuring next year’s shoppers have an exciting new selection to explore. Lithgow added that the initiative also supports Goodwill’s larger goal of providing employment and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to work. “We’re helping families ‘haunt responsibly,’” she said with a laugh. “And our staff loves decorating the stores for the season to make it an engaging shopping experience.”

Behind the scenes, Lithgow admits that sorting donations after Halloween feels a little like treasure hunting. “Of course! Sorting through the many donations of ready-to-wear costumes is always full of treasures,” she said. “Our team pairs everything you need for a costume on one hanger, from the outfit to the accessories. We’re always on the lookout for fun and unique pieces to add something special to a costume.”

That same creativity extends to shoppers, who continue to surprise the Goodwill team with their ingenuity. “Just this year, someone shared a video showing how she used a red tutu to create a veil for a Lydia Deetz costume,” Lithgow said. “Thrifting opens a world of DIY possibilities. Something as simple as wearing a shirt backwards or using a tie as a belt can create a totally unique look.”

The season has also brought extra excitement through weekly $100 gift card giveaways and a grand prize contest running through November 5. “Customers can post a photo of their thrifted costume and tag @goodwillsfl for a chance to win a $250 Goodwill gift card,” Lithgow explained. “We love seeing how creative our followers get.”

But beyond the contests and costumes, Lithgow says the real reward is watching children’s faces light up when they find their perfect Halloween look. “Whether it’s a preloved costume or one they create themselves, we hope everyone feels the magic of the season and the fulfillment of making a sustainable choice that supports a good cause.”

As the spooky season fades into the holidays, Goodwill South Florida plans to keep the festive momentum going. “The holidays are the perfect time to visit your local Goodwill store,” Lithgow said. “It’s all about doing good and buying good this holiday season. We already have holiday décor on display and will be adding more right after Halloween. Plus, this is the first year we’ll have Goodwill gift cards available for the holidays.”

From DIY witches and vampires to eco-friendly gift giving, Goodwill South Florida is proving that the true spirit of Halloween and the holidays that follow lives in creativity, community, and giving back.