Individuals Lower Again on Halloween Spending

Over half of Individuals (57%) stated rising chocolate costs are altering how a lot they dish out for sweet this Halloween.

The new study by monetary providers firm Empower, which polled 2,000 basic inhabitants Individuals, discovered a 3rd think about Halloween one of many costliest holidays of the 12 months and the common American plans to spend $296 — together with sweet, costumes, decor and leisure.

Youthful generations plan to spend virtually double that, with millennials averaging $522 and Gen Z averaging $435.

But, regardless of the value tag, 51% stated Halloween is one in every of their favourite holidays, and practically six in 10 (57%) stated the recollections they make with family and friends on Oct. 31 are priceless.

Inflation Causes Spending Cuts, But Overspending Is Widespread

Nonetheless, 5 in 10 are slicing again on Halloween spending total attributable to inflation (52%), although 39% of Individuals say they overspend every year, highest amongst millennials (52%) and Gen Z (48%).

Greater than half of Individuals surveyed (54%) imagine dad and mom at this time really feel pressured to spend extra on Halloween than previous generations.

Nearly a 3rd (31%) say they find yourself spending extra once they see associates or household doing so, even when it’s past their means (53% Gen Z, 50% millennials).

“Some customers could also be ghosting chocolate this Halloween as costs creep larger. Trick-or-treat spending provides a peek into how pricing pressures are shifting budgets and filtering into the smallest traditions,” stated Rebecca Rickert, head of shopper insights at Empower.

Most customers will begin searching for Halloween gadgets in September (39%) and October (43%), regardless of the rise of shops providing “Summerween.” Although, 1 / 4 of millennials (26%) begin purchasing for Halloween no later than August.

Two in 5 (40%) respondents stated they sit up for Halloween purchasing greater than purchasing for different holidays (61% millennials, 56% Gen Z).

To economize, near 1 / 4 stated they usually reuse or recycle costumes from previous years (22%) or store at thrift shops/low cost retailers for Halloween seems (22%). One in 5 favor to DIY or make costumes at residence (20%).

Near 1 / 4 (23%) of Gen Z and millennials purchase costumes for his or her pets, even when it prices additional (18% total).

1 / 4 of youthful generations will use AI to search out one of the best offers on sweet, costumes or decorations (25% millennials, 24% Gen Z) — in addition to to generate costume concepts (27% millennials; 24% Gen Z).

Millennials Use AI for Halloween Journey Planning

Multiple in 5 millennials can even use it to assist plan fall or Halloween-themed journey (21%).

Even with tighter budgets, Individuals need Halloween to really feel memorable: 45% stated they’d quite spend on experiences like journeys or events than on décor.

These experiences embody: pumpkin patches or harvest festivals (31% total; 41% Gen Z, 39% millennials), Halloween events (23% total; 39% millennials, 35% Gen Z), and Halloween theme parks or haunted homes (21% total; 37% millennials, 35% Gen Z).

Whereas virtually three in 10 Gen Z (28%) and millennial (27%) respondents can even be visiting a haunted or historic cities (like Salem or Sleepy Hole) — solely 17% of Gen X and 4% of child boomers are incorporating that into their fall plans.

Common American’s Halloween Spending Contains:

• Sweet — $59
• Youngsters’s costumes — $56
• Grownup costumes — $46
• Pet costumes — $33
• House/yard decorations — $52
• Events/leisure (tickets, fright nights, occasions, and so on.) — $51

Survey methodology:

Empower’s “Halloween Spending” survey was commissioned by Talker Analysis and primarily based on on-line survey responses from 2,000 basic inhabitants Individuals (aged 18+) from Sept. 10–16, 2025.