Americans expected to spend $11.6B on Halloween in 2024

(NewsNation) — Americans are expected to spend an estimated $11.6 billion on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Seasonal consumerism has taken over social media, encouraging shoppers to get out of the house early and buy the latest styles and decoration trends. Plus, 72% of survey participants said they would celebrate Halloween this year in some way or another, whether handing out candy on the actual holiday, decorating or even just carving a pumpkin.

The report also broke down how Americans will spend their money and on what. About $3.5 billion will be spent on candy alone, $3.8 billion on Halloween decorations and $3.8 billion on costumes, according to NRF.

But don’t let those numbers frighten you. Here are some ways you can enjoy the 2024 spooky season without breaking the bank.

Homemade costumes

Domestic dogs dressed in ghost costume for Halloween
Group of children dressing one of their parents in toilet roll to look like a mummy while at a Halloween party.

Cue the bedsheet ghosts.

As noted above, Americans are expecting to spend a total of $3.8 billion on costumes this Halloween. But for many, spending an average of $37 on a get-up they’re only wearing once just isn’t worth the financial stress — especially when they might have a costume existing in their current wardrobe.

Transforming an existing outfit into a costume is one way Americans save this Halloween. For example, any sports clothing, such as a football jersey, and a little eyeliner used for eyeblack could transform anyone into a professional athlete.

If nothing in your wardrobe is clicking, you can always visit the local thrift shop for some fun ideas.

If old clothing isn’t cutting it, everyday household items can also make a fresh costume. For example, gathering cardboard boxes and aluminum foil could make an epic robot, or mummify yourself by using a cut-up old bedsheet.

The possibilities for costumes are endless and affordable.

DIY and budget-friendly decorations

Food table filled with different type of food and drinks ready for Halloween party
Maple leaf with painted face as decoration for autumn Halloween holiday celebration. Halloween party in October.
Halloween decorations

Checking out the local dollar store could help decorate your home when on a budget, but there are also a handful of ways to use the supplies around your home to add a little spooky ambiance to your living space.

Pick up those scissors and some scrap paper to make fun paper ghosts, bats and spiders. Plus, if you make a tiny hole at the top of the cut-outs, add some twine or fishing line and you can make adorable paper gardland.

As mentioned above, use what you have around your home. It’s easy to transform a room into a haunted space by adding cheap cobwebs and mood lighting. You can also cover your furniture with old bedsheets for that haunted effect. It’s a bonus if your house has a dimmer light.

Lights are another way to enhance the ambiance of your haunted house without breaking the bank. While you’ll likely have to spend the money on the physical lights from a local shop or online, lights can add more to a room than other trinkets and decorations.

Set the mood with some creepy tunes. YouTube offers hours of free Halloween mixes to play. Spotify and Pandora are also options for those with subscriptions to those music platforms. Spooky music could elevate the Halloween vibe.

Reader’s Digest offers a complete list of affordable DIY decorations that you can add to your agenda.

Affordable activities

African American single mother decorating pumpkins with her small son on Halloween. Focus is on boy.

Whether you purchase a pumpkin or grow it in your own backyard, carving pumpkins is a fun, affordable activity for the whole family. The process of carving pumpkins takes some time to complete and can add to quality family time. Once your family is done carving, display the pumpkins for some added decorations on a front porch or steps.

Plus, carving pumpkins comes with a second family activity: Baking pumpkin seeds for a salty snack. It’s a two-in-one.

Bobbing for apples may be an old tradition but it’s a fun activity to do with the family that doesn’t break the bank. All you’ll need is a deep bowl, some water and apples that can later be eaten as a yummy treat.

Also, check your local community event board; many towns, neighborhoods and cities host free, celebratory events families can attend.

The most important thing to remember heading into the Halloween season is to set a budget and stick to it, Mary Hunt with EverdayCheapskate said.

Rick Munster with MoneyFit also said that planning ahead can help alleviate any financial stress and gives you time to find the best deals on items you decide to buy.