The spooky climate of the economy is having an effect on this year’s Halloween celebrations. Research conducted by Jack-O-Laternthe National Retail Federation shows that more consumers are planning to cut back or miss out on many of the traditional celebrations of Halloween. Nearly one in three consumers say that budgeting concerns and the economy will change how they celebrate Halloween this year. More than 88% of those surveyed say they plan to spend much less this year.

Families are planning to spend less on trick-or-treat items such as candy and costumes. Last year, consumers spent on average $66.54 for Halloween but plan to spend only $56.31. That may mean less houses on the block being lit up to welcome trick-or-treaters, less parties, and less family entertainment. In order to save cash, parents plan to re-use last year’s costumes or create homemade costumes from household materials. There will likely be less new yard decorations in favor of previous decorations. Parents and kids will be less likely to visit haunted houses, haunted hayrides, and other fall festivities due to the continued tightening of family budgets. Even pumpkin carvings will be down due to the increase cost of pumpkins and decorating kits. Parties are also predicted to be on the decline. The amount of people attending or throwing a party compared to years past will be significantly lowered.

Consumer groups say that more creativity will go into this year’s celebrations, with less extravagance. Budgeting will change how people come up with new ideas to celebrate Halloween with their kids. Even teen consumers, who were last year’s biggest spenders, are predicted to cut costs because part-time jobs are getting harder to come by and many parents can not afford to help them with extra spending money. In the early days of Halloween celebrations, costumes and treats were all homemade and it seems that Americans by necessity are headed back to the basics. Creativity and frugality are winning out in many areas of the nation during the holidays and in daily life.

Community groups that sponsor local parades and family-friendly festivities for the Halloween holiday are likely to see an increase in participation, since many families prefer to not travel outside of their local area for activities, such as trick-or-treating and fall festivals. Novelties such as a costume for a pet and Halloween cards may be forgone altogether in favor of saving.



 Related Content: