Halloween Spending to Exceed $10 Billion Dollars this Year

Halloween is definitely high on our list of favorite holidays in our house. We decorate almost as much as we do for Christmas. We just don't go crazy with the outdoor decor. No giant inflatables or 20-foot-tall skeletons, but the inside is very festive and fun. Our Halloween spending can sometimes be a bit ridiculous.

The National Retail Federation reports that spending for the Halloween holiday will hit over ten billion dollars. Actually, $10.6 billion, and that exceeds last year’s record of $10.1 billion.

Consumers plan to spend an average of 100 bucks for Halloween candy, costumes, decorations, and all things fun and spooky. That's the second-highest amount that's ever been tracked. 47% of those surveyed started their Halloween shopping in September or even earlier.

Sixty-nine percent of those polled say they are going to celebrate this year; that's a jump from sixty-five percent last year and on track with the 68% who celebrated two years ago.

Sixty-seven percent said they're handing out candy to trick-or-treaters this year; fifty-one percent are decorating, and forty-seven percent say they're dressing up.

One in five are dressing up their pets.

Spending on costumes alone is expected to hit $2.9 billion, which is the highest since 2017. Spending on pet costumes is expected to reach a record $710 million.

The most popular kids' costume is Spider-Man, with 2.2 million dressing up like Spidey; nearly 2 million will dress up as their favorite princess; 1.6 million will be a witch, and 1.3 million kids will be a ghost. Other superheroes landed fifth on the list.

More than 5.3 million adults say they'll be a witch; more than 1.7 million will dress as a vampire; more than 1.5 million will be a ghost, and nearly as much will be a pirate. Tying for fifth place: more than 1.2 million adults say they're going as a cat, and that's the same number playing a superhero.

For pets, the most popular costumes are a pumpkin, a hot dog, a bat, a bumblebee, and a witch.

The National Retail Foundation President and CEO Matthew Shay says, “Halloween is an exciting time for many families, and that enthusiasm is reflected in the number of Americans who plan to celebrate the holiday this year.” Great news for kids and adults alike.

'Tis the season for haunted houses in America. I love the spooky season, even though I'm more of a spring girl. I actually wish Halloween fell in the spring. But, fall is a good time for all things haunted. America has some incredible haunted attractions. Getting scared is definitely an American thing. So, what are the best haunted houses in America?

What's neat about haunted houses is that they are popular across American, not just in one part of the country. In a sense, a love for Halloween and spooky things brings Americans together. Often, folks overseas haven't celebrated Halloween much until recently, though. In fact, I was shocked to learn that my friends in Europe have never heard of or tried candy corn. What's wrong with this world?

Even though Europeans may not be as familiar with Halloween, or at least the Europeans I know, it's worth noting that Borley Rectory, in England, was widely considered the most haunted house in the world. "This particular rectory was built on the same site as a Cistercian priory perhaps several hundred years older in what is now Borley, Essex, United Kingdom," according to Skeptoid.com. Is it still haunted today? Who really knows, right?

When it comes to haunted houses in America, different outlets have their favorite picks. I've decided to do some research and pick five must-see haunted attractions across the U.S. that I think you should visit this year. I picked a selection of haunted attractions geographically across the country, so hopefully you live near one. I would love to visit all of these at some point, but truth be told, I'm easily scared, so maybe I'm best to try kiddie haunted houses. Reach out to me with your favorite haunted houses and attractions across America here.

Netherworld is known around the country as being a super popular haunted house in Atlanta. It's extra scary, offering special effects, live actors, lots of blood and gore and more. Not for the faint!

https://www.fearworld.com/

Pennhurst Asylum is a super scary haunted house in America. It an institute for the mentally and physically disabled back to 1908. It closed in 1987, and today, it's a famed haunted house that draws people from all over the state and beyond.

https://www.pennhurstasylum.com/

Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park offers six attractions that are perfect for the spooky season. You can even add on Zombie Paintball, in addition to all the typical thrills and chills. This one can be fun for the whole family. Just do your research on the attractions before you go.

https://www.screamageddon.com/

Everyone in Michigan knows about Erebus Haunted Attraction. It's the biggest haunted attraction in the state and one of the biggest in the country. Detroit folks, especially, flock to this spot, as do people from Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and beyond.

The Asylum and Hotel Fear is a very popular and terrifying haunted house duo in Las Vegas. It's a favorite for Las Vegas tourists and natives, too. Get ready to get your scare on.

https://www.vegashauntedhouses.com/halloween/asylumhotel-fear-ny.html