Expensive costumes at expensive time of year!

[IWishItCouldBeChristmasEveryday]

I need 2 Ghostbusters costumes for a show my kids are in in December. Their ages are 6 and 8. They'll probably only be performing for around 2 minutes and it's looking like I'm going to have to spend around £50 to get them what they need. Then I also have to pay for a ticket to see them in the show. AIBU to think this is a bit too much to ask? I just can't afford it right now but I'll have to find the money as I don't want them to miss out or to be the only ones without a proper costume. Was thinking of trying to make the outfits myself but I don't have a sewing machine and it would probably still cost just as much to get all the things I need to make them.

YANBU… this is a ridiculous expectation, the organisers of this event must be living in a hole putting this level of financial pressure on parents during a cost of living crisis right before Christmas!!
Perhaps you can source some second hand (eBay) or try and make your own with cheap (Primark) clothes.

Can you just make the backpacks out of cereal boxes, paint them white with the ‘no ghosts’ symbol, sellotape them to child with brown parcel tape if you can’t get ribbons, and stick them in a white T-shirt and white or grey trousers?
That’s how I’d do it off the top of my head but I’m sure more experienced mumsnetters will have better ideas for a quick cheap ghostbusters costume.

PS I do think YANBU it’s ridiculous that you’re supposed to pull this out of your hat especially at Christmastime.

Well the GB wear beige overalls, boots and a proton pack.

Of the top of my head you could either buy some beige cargo trousers and a white t-shirt (paint the GB logo on it or write "who you gunna call?" on it)
Or buy a paper overalls from B&Q or similar and stain them with tea. Paint on the design.

You can make a proton pack following instructions on YouTube. My parents did it for my brother back in the 90s. You could even possibly buy those water guns that have a backpack which should be relatively cheap this time of year.

Also scour eBay and FB marketplace for second hand ones.

Is this a school thing or an optional activity? If school just say no. If an activity - sorry, but I think that is the way these things are.

I agree with cargo pants, white t-shirt and a homemade backpack thing.

It's for an activity but they are supposedly not for profit.

Have you looked on Vinted/ebay for a second hand one?

Slight tangent but I was very surprised to see so many nativity costumes in kids clothes sections in supermarkets this year. DS is only 6 and I usually shop online but this really surprised me. Has this always been a thing?