Home fireworks shows are a popular way to celebrate the holidays or just have a little fun on a warm summer’s evening. Lighting off fireworks at home is fun and the displays can be exceptionally beautiful, even if you can’t get your hands on the big, commercial-grade fireworks used in professional shows.

But while buying one or two fireworks won’t break the bank, the costs can quickly add up once you start buying enough for a lengthy display. When you know how to shop for fireworks, you can get a better deal on your bottle rocks, mortars, cakes, fountains, and firecrackers. Here’s what you need to know.

Skip the Variety Packs

If you know you want to buy a lot of fireworks anyway, it might be tempting to buy a large, pre-packaged assortment. But the fact of the matter is that those variety packs are usually overpriced for what’s in them. You’ll get a better deal if you buy your fireworks individually.

Besides, variety packs of fireworks are often made up of last year’s inventory that didn’t sell. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — the gunpowder in fireworks doesn’t expire or go bad. However, if it gets wet, it’s toast. You run the risk of getting more duds in a variety pack, because the chances of moisture having gotten into the fireworks is higher.

Ask the Vendor What You Can Get for Your Budget

If you’re shopping at a fireworks tent or a permanent fireworks stand, tell the vendor what your budget is and ask what he or she can do for you in that price range. You may be able to get a discount on your fireworks purchase, especially right before the holidays, when vendors may mark down their inventory by 10 to 15 percent. If you’re spending $300 or more, vendors are more likely to give you a discount, although some will give discounts on purchases as low as $100 if a holiday is looming. Even if you don’t get a discount, the vendor can help you pick out the best fireworks on sale in your price range.

Consider a Ground Display

When you’re on a budget, a ground display can be just as pretty as an aerial display, for a lot less money. Fountains and smoke bombs typically offer longer displays than cakes and mortars. A fountain will spew sparks for one to three minutes, while a cake will only last 25 to 30 seconds. And while you might be tempted to splurge on an expensive, 500-gram cake for your finale, 200- to 300-gram cakes may be the better, and cheaper, option. You can usually buy one of these smaller cakes for about one-third to one-half of the cost of a 500-gram cake. The gunpowder in smaller cakes is also packed more tightly, so the display may actually be more impressive.

Shop Around

When it comes to fireworks, you may be able to get better deals if you shop around. Go to many different vendors and take pictures of the fireworks you want, so you can compare prices. Many vendors will price match if you can show them proof that another vendor is undercutting them, so even if you have a favorite vendor, it’s still worth shopping around.

Ask for Recommendations

Not sure what the different kinds of fireworks do? Have an idea of what kind of display you want to put on, but don’t know which fireworks will give you the desired effects? The vendor theoretically knows all about the fireworks they’re selling and can help you pick out the ones that will get you closest to the display effects you have in mind. If you really want to wow your audience with an awesome display, travel to a state that has looser regulations governing which fireworks are acceptable for residential use.

Hit the Tents at the End of the Season

You can get great deals on fireworks at the end of the season, when vendors are trying to liquidate their inventory before they dismantle their tents. Discounts of 30 to 50 percent may be available. So plan ahead and shop for next year at the end of the season. As long as you have a dry place to store your fireworks, they should be perfectly fine next year.

Putting on a home fireworks show isn’t cheap, especially if you want to put on a long, aerial display. But with a little shopping savvy, you can save a ton on your fireworks, and still enjoy a spectacular show.