When Halloween rolls around, the ritual of choosing a costume has become a small but telling battleground for larger cultural and economic trends. A CBS News segment this month framed the question simply — is it better to make than buy? — and the answers highlight shifting consumer priorities, the resilience of local makers, and fresh pressures on major retailers.

For many parents and young adults, cost and creativity are the key variables. Mass-market, licensed costumes remain widely available — usually priced in the $20-to-$60 range for children and climbing for adult or officially branded outfits — and offer the convenience of one-stop shopping. Yet the CBS segment and interviews with families showed that do-it-yourself projects can cut expenses and yield more personalized results. “It was cheaper and more fun to make it myself,” a parent told CBS. A costume designer featured in the piece added that home sewing lets makers tailor fit and detail in ways off-the-rack pieces rarely do.

The trend has business consequences. Independent makers and small retailers report steady seasonal demand. Craft stores say Halloween is a high-traffic period for fabric, adhesives and specialty paints, and marketplace platforms see spikes in handmade listings as creators monetize skills. Conversely, large retailers face pressure to keep licensed products fresh and competitively priced while coping with inventory swings. Analysts note that even small shifts toward DIY can redistribute tens of millions in seasonal spending from big-box aisles to local shops and online artisans.

Social media plays a catalytic role. Short-form video platforms amplify DIY tutorials, driving novice crafters to attempt costumes they might once have purchased. The aesthetic cross-pollination with cosplay and “cottagecore” sensibilities pushes homemade looks into mainstream visibility, but it also heightens debates about cultural appropriation and representation. CBS’s coverage included voices warning that a homemade costume can cross ethical lines if it caricatures another culture or ignores historical context; experts urged creators to prioritize respect over novelty.

Sustainability is another factor. Environmental advocates point out that homemade outfits often rely on upcycled clothing and reusable materials, reducing the single-use plastics common in mass-produced costumes. Yet safety concerns remain: retailers list flame-resistant materials and standardized sizing for a reason, and experts remind families to check materials and reflective elements for nighttime trick-or-treating.

There are accessibility and inclusivity gains as well. Makers report increasing demand for adaptive costumes designed for children with mobility aids or sensory sensitivities — designs that are rarely available in off-the-shelf offerings. “Customization isn’t just aesthetic,” one CBS interviewee said. “It can be essential for a child’s comfort and participation.”

The make-or-buy decision may come down to time, budget and values. For a busy household, a store-bought costume still offers speed. For communities seeking to support artisans, reduce waste, or ensure a child’s needs are met, making can be the better investment. Either way, this year’s Halloween choices reflect broader shifts in how Americans balance convenience against community, commerce against craft, and impulse against intention.