Halloween has grown from one night into a full season of spending. The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects total US Halloween spending to reach about $13.5 billion in 2026, with the average person planning to spend $115.14. That’s similar to last year, but shoppers say they’re watching prices more closely, and most expect costs to be higher.
If you’re new to the US, or just trying to keep October from wrecking your budget, this guide shows where the money goes and how to spend less without skipping the fun.
Where Halloween money goes
NRF’s 2026 survey breaks spending into a few big categories:
| Category | Share of people buying | Expected total spending |
|---|---|---|
| Candy | 96% of celebrants | About $4.1 billion |
| Decorations | 78% | About $4.3 billion |
| Costumes | 71% | About $4.4 billion |
| Greeting cards | 42% | About $800 million |
Costumes, candy and decorations are roughly equal slices. That’s useful to know: cutting back in just one area won’t change much, but small savings in all three add up.
Step 1: Set a total budget
Before you buy anything, decide on one number for the whole season. For example:
| Item | Low budget | Medium budget |
|---|---|---|
| Candy | $20 | $40 |
| Costumes (per family) | $15 | $60 |
| Decorations | $10 | $40 |
| Pumpkins and activities | $10 | $40 |
| Party food or supplies | $0 | $40 |
| Total | $55 | $220 |
Write it down, and when one category runs over, take it out of another.
Step 2: Save on costumes
Shop your closet first
Most good costumes start with clothes you already own. A flannel shirt becomes a lumberjack. Black clothes become a cat, witch, vampire or ninja. A white T-shirt and paint becomes an artist.
Swap and borrow
Kids outgrow costumes every year. Swap with friends, cousins or neighbors, or post in local groups. Many towns have free costume swaps in early October at libraries and community centers.
Buy pieces you can reuse
A good wig, a cape, a hat or face paint can be part of several costumes over the years. Simple, versatile items save more than a one-time branded costume.
Shop at the right places
NRF found discount stores are the most popular place for Halloween shopping, followed by specialty Halloween stores and online retailers. Thrift stores are great for adult costume pieces, especially formal wear, hats and jackets.
Tip: Go early. By mid-October, the best thrift-store finds and discounted kids’ sizes are often gone.
Step 3: Save on candy
Candy is the one thing almost everyone buys. Here’s how to avoid overspending.
Buy the right amount
| Expected trick-or-treaters | Candy pieces to buy (1–2 per child) |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | 50–60 |
| 30–75 | 100–150 |
| 75–150 | 200–300 |
Ask neighbors how many kids they usually get. Running out early is fine; just turn your porch light off.
Compare unit prices
Shelf labels show the price per ounce or per piece. Large variety bags at warehouse clubs and discount stores usually win, but compare. Store brands are often much cheaper.
Time it right
Candy is often on sale in the second half of October, and discounted heavily on November 1. Buy most of it in the last week, and keep the receipt in case you over-buy unopened bags.
Consider non-food treats
Stickers, pencils, glow sticks and small toys can cost less per piece than candy, last longer and are safe for kids with food allergies. Putting a teal pumpkin out shows you offer them.
Step 4: Save on decorations
Decorate with nature
Pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, corn stalks and hay bales look great and cost little. Buy pumpkins from grocery stores instead of pumpkin patches if you just need them for the porch, and save the patch trip for the experience.
DIY decorations
- Paper bats: black paper cut into bats and taped to a wall or window
- Milk jug ghosts: clean jugs with faces drawn on and a battery tea light inside
- Toilet-paper-roll monsters: paint, googly eyes and imagination
- Jar lanterns: old jars wrapped in gauze with eyes, lit with battery candles
- Cheesecloth ghosts: draped over a ball or bottle and stiffened with fabric stiffener or diluted glue
Buy reusable, not disposable
NRF found about a third of shoppers want items they can reuse or repurpose. Neutral fall decorations, like pumpkins, leaves and warm lights, can stay up through Thanksgiving, giving you two holidays from one purchase.
Shop after Halloween
November 1 sales are the best time to stock up on decorations for next year, often at 50% off or more.
Step 5: Free and low-cost Halloween activities
You don’t have to spend money to have a great Halloween.
- Trunk-or-treats at churches, schools and community centers
- Library events with crafts, story times and costume parades
- Downtown and mall trick-or-treating
- Neighborhood walks to see decorated houses
- Pumpkin carving at home with a kitchen knife and a spoon (adults only for the knife)
- Movie night with a classic family-friendly Halloween film
- Roasting pumpkin seeds after carving
Many parks departments publish free Halloween event calendars. Check your city’s website in early October.
Step 6: Save on parties
If you’re hosting:
- Make it a potluck, with guests bringing a dish or drink
- Serve one big dish, like chili or a pasta bake, instead of many small ones
- Use what you have: black and orange napkins and a few pumpkins go a long way
- Make a playlist instead of hiring entertainment
- Plan games that need no supplies, like costume contests or charades
If you’re attending, bring a simple homemade snack rather than an expensive store-bought tray.
Common money traps
- Impulse buys in September. Stores put Halloween aisles out early. Make a list
- Expensive costumes for one wear. Especially for toddlers who change sizes every year
- Inflatable decorations. Large inflatables can be pricey and add to electricity use; one is plenty
- Pumpkin patch add-ons. Hayrides, mazes and photos are fun but add up fast. Decide in advance what you’ll do
Using credit cards wisely
If you put Halloween purchases on a credit card, pay the full statement balance so you don’t pay interest. Cards with cash back on grocery or drugstore purchases can return a little money on candy and supplies. Avoid buy-now-pay-later plans for small seasonal items; they make it too easy to overspend.
Planning for next year
The cheapest Halloween is the one you plan for in November:
- Store costumes and decorations in a labeled bin
- Note what you actually used and what you didn’t
- Shop post-Halloween sales for things you know you’ll reuse
- Write down how many trick-or-treaters you got
Budget Halloween for international students
If you’re a student in the US, Halloween can be a great introduction to American culture without spending much:
- Campus housing and student unions usually host free Halloween events
- International student offices often organize pumpkin carving or costume nights
- Group costumes with roommates cost less per person
- Thrift stores near campus have plenty of costume pieces in October
- Many downtown areas hold free Saturday events this year
Simple budget plan for a family of four
| Item | Budget choice | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Costumes | Two homemade, two swapped | $15 |
| Candy | Two large variety bags | $30 |
| Pumpkins | Two from the grocery store | $10 |
| Decorations | Paper bats and milk-jug ghosts | $5 |
| Activity | Free trunk-or-treat and library event | $0 |
| Total | $60 |
That’s about half of what NRF says a single person plans to spend, for a whole family.
Final thoughts
Halloween doesn’t need to cost $115 per person to be fun. Set a total budget, shop your closet and pantry first, decorate with pumpkins and paper, and lean on free community events. The memories come from the night itself, not from how much you spent.
