<\/p>\n
Expected Halloween spending is predicted to rise for the third year in a row in 2026, according to new data from the National Retail Federation. The NRF reports total planned spending of $13.5 billion in 2026, up from $13.1 billion in 2025, and $11.6 billion in 2024. <\/p>\n
Read: 2027 Social Security COLA is out; it’s big but is it big enough?<\/p>\n
Halloween Edges Out Thanksgiving for Fall Festivities<\/p>\n
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Americans will be celebrating the holiday this year, according to NRF data. A separate poll from CIT Bank in conjunction with Researchscape International revealed that 54% of Americans plan to spend $200 or more on Halloween, versus 39% who said they expect to spend that much on Thanksgiving. <\/p>\n
The CIT Bank survey revealed similar findings: <\/p>\n
38% plan to spend $300+ on Halloween<\/p>\n
19% plan to spend $300+ on Thanksgiving<\/p>\n
Gen Z and millennials lead the charge, with the younger demographics spending $270 and $308, respectively, compared to an average spend of $210 across all adult age groups. <\/p>\n
Americans Embrace Their Penchant for Sweets and Showing Off on Social Media<\/p>\n
The most popular spending category, once again this year, is candy, according to NRF data. A whopping 96% of consumers said they plan to buy candy, for a total spend of $4.1 billion. Consumers plan to sink even more money into decorations, with just 78% of respondents forecasted to spend a total of $4.3 billion.<\/p>\n
Costumes are also a big investment this year, with 71% of shoppers expected to spend $4.4 billion, according to NRF data.<\/p>\n
The CIT Bank survey supports these findings. In spite of persistent inflation, high gas prices, and economic pressure, 23% of those polled said they plan to spend $200 or more on costumes for their families, while only 4% said they’d spend that much on themselves. Gen Z, the youngest of those surveyed, were more likely to say they’d spend money on a costume for themselves (71% compared to 53% across all generations). <\/p>\n
Social media is driving the younger generations’ desire to stand out. More than half (52%) of Gen Z and millennials said they’d pay more for a costume to drive social media engagement, compared to 38% of respondents overall. <\/p>\n
People also aren’t leaving their pets out of the holiday fun. More than one quarter (26%) said they’d spend $40 or more on pet costumes. <\/p>\n
‘Summer-ween’ Is Real<\/p>\n
To deal with budget pressures, people are planning ahead for the holiday. Forty-two percent of Americans started shopping for Halloween in September, with 19% starting even earlier, according to CIT Bank. <\/p>\n
If you haven’t already started saving, shopping, or decorating for Halloween, it’s not too late to do it on a budget. Don’t worry: With these frugal tips, you won’t have to resort to handing out raisins to trick-or-treaters.<\/p>\n
Buy candy in bulk<\/p>\n
A majority (71%) of shoppers said they’ll purchase candy in bulk this year to save money, according to CIT Bank. Saving money means you can share the good stuff. If you see full-size chocolate bars for just over $1 per bar, grab them. If you want to splurge on other sweet treats, wholesale club BJ’s has 40-count buckets of Ring Pops (a nostalgic favorite) for less than $16. Walmart offers giant bags of fun-size chocolates for just $10, but you can save even more per pound buying the $25 bag.<\/p>\n
Shop at a dollar store<\/p>\n
If you decide to forego the warehouse club and buy your candy from a dollar store or other discount retailer, you’re not alone. According to CIT Bank, 62% of consumers plan to shop at a dollar store for their Halloween needs this year. That’s up from 49% in 2025. <\/p>\n
Spend less on costumes<\/p>\n
Even if you’re like the younger generations and looking for a click-worthy costume this year, you can save money. Re-use a costume from your pre-Insta era or swap with friends. Or consider getting crafty; 30% of CIT Bank poll respondents said they’re making their costume this year.<\/p>\n
Also check your local buy\/sell\/trade groups on Facebook for people giving away costumes or selling them cheap. If you’re tasked with finding a costume for a child or grandchild, these groups are also a great resource. <\/p>\n
Make your own decorations<\/p>\n
If you’re like many of the over-50 crowd, you already have a basement, attic, garage or shed stuffed with decorations for every season. But if you want a few fresh pieces, consider making them yourself to save money.<\/p>\n
Wreaths, jack-o-lanterns, and tiny floating ghosts made from white napkins and fishing line or ribbon all make cute and classy decorations. You can also fill mason jars with inexpensive, battery-operated LED fairy lights and wrap gauze around the jars to light a path for trick-or-treaters.<\/p>\n
If you have access to a 3D printer, you can design and print your own plastic decorations to use year-after-year, potentially for less than you can purchase Halloween decor in stores. <\/p>\n
Look for Items You Can Reuse<\/p>\n
Value and versatility seem to be the keywords going into this holiday season, which kicks off with Halloween. More than one-third (34%) of shoppers said they plan to look for items they can reuse in the future or even reuse for other holidays or keep out all year long, according to NRF data. <\/p>\n
Harvest decorations, ceramic pumpkins, and fall flowers can easily make the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving. <\/p>\n
You can also turn to AI for suggestions on how to plan, design, and repurpose your decor. Roughly one-third of consumers are using AI to brainstorm ideas (34%) or get recommendations while they’re researching Halloween products (32%), according to the NRF survey. <\/p>\n
This story written for TheStreet by Nifty 50+<\/p>\n
#Halloween #Spending #Hits #Frightening #High #Here039s #Save<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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