Halloween season is in full bloom, and it’s not just about costumes, candy, and haunted houses. It’s a holiday Americans really love to go all out for. About 73 percent of families plan to celebrate, and according to a recent WalletHub report, people are expected to spend a whopping $13.1 billion this year on everything from decorations to candy to costumes. That works out to be around $114 per household. So yeah, Halloween isn’t cheap.
How Much Are Americans Spending on Costumes?
The fun starts with dressing up. Americans will spend $4.3 billion on Halloween costumes alone. Insane, isn’t it? More than 51 percent of people plan to dress up, whether that’s a store-bought costume or a DIY look they throw together. And we can’t forget about the expensive makeup. Have you seen the price of an average lipstick at Sephora? Yeah.
Halloween Isn’t Halloween Without Candy
Candy is just as important, probably the most important if you ask me. I mean, what is Halloween without candy? Specifically Twix bars hehe. People will spend $3.9 billion on sweet treats for trick or treaters. All those Milky Ways and Skittles really add up. If you’re looking for the best places to celebrate Halloween in New Jersey, tap here.
Then there’s decorating. About 51 percent of Americans plan to decorate their homes, and 46 percent plan to carve a pumpkin. The average pumpkin costs $5.58, and many people even like to paint it after. Families love going all out to make their houses stand out from the rest, it’s like a competition. “Who has the scariest looking house?”
Haunted Houses and Halloween Attractions
Haunted attractions are another big part of the holiday. The average guest pays around $8 to visit a haunted house or Halloween event, which adds up to more than $400 million in revenue every year. Even though these attractions are designed to scare you, they’re serious business and it’s worth being careful since Halloween decorations cause about $14 million in property damage annually.
Halloween Parties Keep the Spirit Alive
Parties are part of the Halloween spirit too. About 32 percent of Americans plan to throw or attend a Halloween party, from small get togethers with friends to huge themed events, and that’s not even counting the salt rimmed margaritas.
Halloween isn’t just one night. It’s a whole season of spending.. and fun. People are carving pumpkins, decorating their homes, buying M&M’s, dressing up, going to attractions, and checking out local events. With all this spending and excitement, Halloween isn’t just spooky, it’s one of the biggest spending holidays of the year.
So the next time you grab a Twix bar, carve a smiley face on a pumpkin, or pick out a spooky costume, remember you’re part of a multibillion dollar holiday that keeps getting bigger every year.
Alondra Cabrera is the Editorial Assistant at New Jersey Digest. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. During her time at school, she discovered her passion for journalism and content creation. In her free time, she loves to create and edit videos for her corgis, Rafi and Toffe, and indulge in culinary adventures with her friends. Alondra also enjoys traveling, cooking, and working out. She is excited to embark on her professional journey in media and looks forward to contributing her skill and creativity to her role here at New Jersey Digest.
