Plans for Halloween are picking up speed as some surveys report that the holiday activities are almost returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The National Retail Foundation website reports that consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion, up from $8.05 billion in 2020, according an annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“Plans to celebrate Halloween are up this year compared with last and are close to pre-pandemic levels,” according to the NRF.

An estimated 65 percent of Americans will celebrate Halloween, up from 58 percent in 2020 and comparable with 68 percent in 2019. Households with children are much more likely to celebrate Halloween (82 percent) than those without (55 percent).

The top ways consumers plan to celebrate include handing out candy (66 percent), decorating their home or yard (52 percent), dressing in costumes (46 percent), carving a pumpkin (44 percent) and hosting or attending a party (25 percent).

Average spending is up. On average, consumers plan to spend $102.74 on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards — $10 more than they planned to spend last year.

Households with children are estimated to spend more than twice the amount than households without children ($149.69 compared with $73.57) on Halloween.

Spending on decorations continues to climb to $3.17 billion, up from last year’s $2.59 billion.

Total spending on costumes is the highest it has been since 2017 at $3.32 billion.

Interest in pet costumes remains high with one in five intending to dress their pet up for Halloween this year.

Costumes Ranked: Children

More than 1.8 million children plan to dress as Spiderman, more than 1.6 million as their favorite princess, more than 1.2 million as Batman and more than 1.2 million will dress as one of their other favorite superheroes.

Costumes Ranked: Adults

More than 4.6 million adults plan to dress like a witch, more than 1.6 million as a vampire, more than 1.4 million as a ghost, more than 1.1 million as a cat and another 1.1 million as a pirate.

Costumes Ranked: Pets

The most popular costumes for pet lovers include a pumpkin (10 percent), hot dog (5 percent), superhero or cat (each tied at 4 percent) and bumblebee (3 percent).

According to Candystore.com, they have been shipping bulk candy for 14 years and they have collected statistics.

Halloween Candy Quick Facts

  • 172 million Americans celebrate Halloween
  • 29% of all Halloween purchases are made online
  • Among those who celebrate Halloween, 96% will purchase candy
  • They will spend about $30.40 on average
  • Most Halloween shopping is done the first 2 weeks of October.
  • In Oregon, full-sized candy bars are the norm for trick-or-treaters to receive
  • Over 50% of parents stash some Halloween candy to enjoy later in the year

According to bulk candy sales, the favorite Halloween candy in Oklahoma is Skittles with Dubble Bubble Gum coming in second and Snickers third.

Here are the favorite candies in each state:

Starburst

  • Alabama
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • South Dakota
  • Texas

Sour Patch Kids

  • Alaska

Hot Tamales

  • Arizona
  • North Dakota
  • Virginia

Jolly Ranchers

  • Arkansas
  • New Mexico

Reese’s Cups

  • California
  • Florida
  • Wyoming

Hershey’s Kisses

  • Colorado
  • Maryland
  • Nevada

Almond Joy

  • Connecticut

Skittles

  • Delaware
  • Oklahoma
  • Vermont

Swedish Fish

  • Georgia

Hershey’s Mini Bars

  • Hawaii
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia

Sour Patch Kids

  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Maine, Nebraska
  • New York

M&Ms

  • Iowa
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon, D.C.

Reese’s Cups

  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • North Carolina

Lemonheads

  • Louisiana

Tootsie Pops

  • Minnesota

Three Musketeers

  • Mississippi

Milky Way

  • Missouri

Dubble Bubble Gum

  • Montana

Blow Pops

  • Ohio

Twix

  • Rhode Island

Butterfinger

  • South Carolina
  • Wisconsin

Tootsie Pops

  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Washington