How people are spending their Halloween money this year

Sep 22, 2023, 10:30 AM

Image of a home decked out for Halloween in Sandy, Utah. Article is about where and how people are ...

FILE: Home of Gil and Laura White , at 12099 South Woodbridge Dr. in Sandy, Utah decked out for halloween, (Tom Smart)

(Tom Smart)

KSLNewsRadio

SALT LAKE CITY — Halloween is more than five weeks away, but many people are already getting out the decorations and figuring out how to spend their Halloween money.

Two years ago, Utah was named number one for Halloween decorations by Lombardo Homes. But rising prices and inflation could impact how people are spending money for Halloween this year.

When asked by KSL NewsRadio, customers shopping at a Spirit Halloween store in West Valley City said they do not plan on any big decoration purchases this year. One customer, Luna, said she plans to spend less cash and make her own decorations for the holiday.

“I think that the coolest part about Halloween is getting to create your own [decorations].”

Spooky sales

Nevertheless, according to the manager of Spirit Halloween at the Valley Fair Mall, ghosts and ghouls are still spending money on spooky merch.

The manager said she has already ordered a complete restock because things were selling so fast. At least in her store, Halloween costumes and decorations are both selling very well.

Customer A.J. said his dollars will go toward costumes and candy. He thinks he will spend around $150 this year.

“It feels a lot to me because I work hard for the money,” said A.J. “The $150 can go into like gas or groceries or something.”

Drew, another customer, said his Halloween budget will go toward entertainment.

“We don’t do a lot of decorations or things like that, or I don’t really dress up. I do like to go to haunted houses and things though.”

‘Code Orange’ (know where to spend Halloween money)

Shelby and her partner have been prepping for months for the fall season.

“We are in a lot of Facebook groups [and] people will be like, ‘oh, hey, there’s a code orange at this store,'” said Shelby. “Or you know like Bath and Bodyworks started dropping their fall scents.”

At Home and Spirit Halloween are her favorite spots to shop.

“At Home has a lot more like the home décor stuff and it’s not so like in your face Halloween. Just kind of more like alternative spooky stuff that you can have for year-round,” said Shelby.

“Spirit is just Spirit. It has everything and they they rotate so much of their stuff every year. So it’s not like you’re … getting the same stuff every time. And honestly, even if we don’t buy anything, it’s just kind of fun to go and look at it.”