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Can you really enjoy autumn without spending money when every feed is full of new candles, pumpkin spice lattes and cosy season hauls? I think you can, and I’m very happy to skip most of it.
I love autumn. I love the season change, Halloween, bonfire night and all the rest of it. What I don’t love is the idea that you need a pile of new stuff to join in.
Before I start, one quick note. This post is not about what is right or wrong. I’m not judging anyone who does these things, or anyone who doesn’t. I’m writing it for anyone who feels bad, guilty, or sad about not doing them. You are not the only one.
Why seasonal spending is so hard to ignore
I find the season change so overwhelming on social media. So I’m choosing not to consume it. That one decision removes a lot of pressure before it starts.
The pressure is real, though. Finder surveyed 2,000 UK adults in October 2025 and found that 55% planned to buy something for Halloween. The average planned spend was £26. Finder also found that 63% planned to spend less than £20, or nothing at all. It put the projected UK total at £779 million for 2025.
GlobalData measures the market differently. It forecasted £537 million for 2025 and found that six in ten Halloween shoppers planned to cut back because of money worries. The two totals don’t match, so treat them as a rough guide. Both reports say the same thing: we spend a lot on the season, and plenty of us are trying to spend less.
I always say I’m the worst person to sell to. I just can’t be sold on anything. Skipping the stuff doesn’t make you boring. It doesn’t make you, or me, a seasonal Scrooge either.
What you don’t need to buy to enjoy autumn on a budget
Here is my list of things I’m skipping this season, and why I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
Pumpkin spice lattes and what they cost in the UK
I don’t need to spend £6 or more on a drink because it’s autumn and I’m being told to drink pumpkin spice. I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
For context, Starbucks launched its pumpkin spice latte in the UK on 3 September 2026. SquareMeal reported that a tall one typically costs between £4.70 and £6.15, depending on where you buy it. A bigger size costs more.
If you like the flavour, you can make a version at home. SquareMeal’s recipe uses pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, espresso and milk, all heated in a mug and a pan. A cosy drink at home is queue-free too. If you do want a coffee out, here are my tips for getting cheap coffee.
Seasonal candles
I don’t have one candle in my house. I’m not a candle person, so I could be wrong here. But I wonder whether candles really need to change with the season. To me, it feels like a way to get people to spend on something they feel they need.
If you already own a candle you like, light that one. A new scent each season is a want, not a need.
A new autumn wardrobe and new Uggs
I don’t need new Uggs every year, or a whole new wardrobe, just because it’s cold. Last year’s clothes are fine. I’m happy with a few new additions.
Try this first: pull out last year’s autumn clothes and try them on. WRAP’s research found that the average UK household owns around £4,000 worth of clothes. About 30% of clothing in the average wardrobe had not been worn for at least a year, most often because it no longer fitted. That study dates from 2012, so use it as a guide. It still makes a good case for checking what you already own before you buy.
Boo baskets and one-use plastic
A boo basket is a basket of Halloween treats and small gifts, a bit like an Easter basket. They are cute, I’ll admit. But they are another part of consumerism that has made something seem normal when it isn’t really. We don’t need loads of plastic stuff that only lasts one use.
If you want to do one, reuse a basket or bag you already own. Fill it with things your child will use anyway. For a free extra, the Woodland Trust has leaf crafts and activities for kids.
Seasonal home decor
We do decorate for Halloween. Autumn blankets, cushions and wreaths don’t come out in our house, though. My house is already chaotic without seasonal decor changes. It’s one less thing to think about, and there’s less clutter.
Swapping decor each season costs money, and it also costs storage space. You already own a blanket. It still works in October.
Free ways to enjoy autumn without spending money
You can love the leaves turning brown and crisp, the raindrops on your window, a crisp autumn morning and a cosy drink at home. All of it is free.
Free autumn activities in the UK
The easiest free option is a woodland walk. The Woodland Trust says it has thousands of woods that are free to visit across the UK, and its Find a wood tool helps you pick one near you. Choose one you can walk or cycle to, so the whole day stays free.
The Woodland Trust’s autumn guide lists plenty to do once you are there:
- Listen to the leaves crunch underfoot.
- Watch for migrating birds, squirrels collecting nuts and spider webs.
- Look for fungi. Many are poisonous, so look but don’t touch.
- Record what you see with Nature’s Calendar, which helps scientists track how the changing climate affects UK wildlife.
The Woodland Trust says autumn is also a great time to forage for things like blackberries, hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts. Read its foraging guidelines first.
A cosy autumn at home for free
Cosy is a feeling, and you can get most of it with things you already own. Put on the blanket you have. Make a hot drink. Sit by the window and listen to the rain.
Staying cosy and keeping bills down can go together. If you want to check where your bills stand, start with my guide to saving money on bills.
If you want the house to smell like autumn, bake something. My budget friendly recipes are mostly from-scratch bakes, breakfasts and snacks made with everyday ingredients.
What if you do love the seasonal extras?
Then I love that for you too. Just make sure it’s what you want to do, and not something you feel you should be doing. It’s always about what works for you and brings you joy.
If you do want to buy into some of it, a little planning helps. Pick the one or two things you would really enjoy. Decide how much you will spend before you go shopping. Ask yourself whether you would still want the item if nobody else was posting about it.
You can also plan for seasonal costs ahead of time. A simple way is a small monthly pot for things you know are coming. I explain this in how to budget without a spreadsheet.
Autumn on a budget: your questions answered
Does skipping seasonal spending make you a Scrooge?
No. You can love autumn, Halloween and bonfire night and still skip the extra shopping. Enjoying the season and buying the season are two separate things.
How much does a pumpkin spice latte cost in the UK?
SquareMeal reported in September 2026 that a tall pumpkin spice latte typically costs between £4.70 and £6.15. Prices vary by shop and size, so check before you order.
Can you have a cosy autumn on a budget?
Yes. Use the blankets and clothes you already own, take a woodland walk, make a hot drink at home and bake something from scratch. None of it needs a new purchase.
Do I need new clothes every autumn?
No. Try on last year’s clothes first. WRAP’s 2012 research found that around 30% of the clothing in a typical UK wardrobe had gone unworn for at least a year.
Enjoy the season your way
Autumn is one of my favourite times of year, and most of what makes it good is free. If you buy a candle and love it, great. If you skip it and love autumn just as much, that’s great too.
What’s the one autumn thing you’re happily skipping this year? Tell me in the comments. And if you want more ideas, have a browse through more ways to save money on the blog.
