You pick up candy, a costume, and a few decorations. The total at checkout is already higher than you planned. Halloween spending debt is a real problem this year, even though the average celebrator plans to spend less overall. A new survey finds nearly one in four celebrators expect to borrow for it. Here is what is driving that gap, and how to keep this holiday off your next statement.
Overall Spending Is Dropping, but Debt Risk Is Not
Average planned spending actually fell this year. Celebrators expect to spend $162 on Halloween in 2026. That is down 16% from $192 last year. Eighty percent of Americans plan to buy something for the holiday, down from 90% a year earlier. On the surface, that looks like households pulling back.
The debt numbers tell a more complicated story. A smaller budget hasn’t meant fewer people are borrowing to meet it. Some shoppers are spending less and still reaching for a credit card to close the gap. Sixty-one percent of celebrators say they are skipping at least one typical purchase this year because of economic uncertainty. People cut candy, decorations, and costumes most often.
If your own budget feels tight this year, that tension is common right now. The fix is not spending even less on a smaller list. It is making sure what you do spend comes from money you already have. Our guide on paying off a credit card walks you through exactly how to do that. It helps if a Halloween charge turns into a balance you are still carrying months later.
How Much Debt Shoppers Expect to Take on This Halloween
According to LendingTree’s 2026 Halloween survey, 24% of celebrators expect to go into debt for it this year. That share climbs much higher among some groups. Forty-three percent of Gen Z celebrators expect to borrow. So do 40% of parents with kids under 18, and 35% of millennials.
QuestionPro fielded the survey for LendingTree. It polled 2,000 U.S. consumers in early September 2026. It also found that 35% of respondents have gone into Halloween debt before. More than half of those past borrowers, 51%, say they regret how much they overspent. That regret rate is a warning sign for anyone tempted to charge this year’s costumes and candy without a plan.
Who Is Spending the Most This Year
Not every household is cutting back equally. Parents of kids under 18 expect to spend $269 this Halloween. Millennials expect to spend $225. Both figures sit well above the overall average. Six-figure earners expect to spend $311, more than double the national number. People who only plan to hand out candy still expect to spend $73 on treats. That holds true even without a costume or decorating budget.
Candy remains the single biggest purchase category, named by 48% of celebrators. Costumes for themselves and outdoor decorations tie for second at 21% each. Children’s costumes come in at 20%. Thirty-eight percent of celebrators expect to spend more this year than last. That share jumps to 58% among parents, even as the national average spending figure falls.
How to Cover Halloween Costs Without Adding to Your Balance
Set a firm dollar limit before you go to the store or open a shopping app. Split that number by category: candy, costumes, and decorations. A number on paper beats a vague sense of keeping things reasonable once you are standing in the seasonal aisle.
Shop your own house first. Last year’s decorations, a sibling’s costume piece, or pantry candy can cover part of the list. None of it costs a new dollar. Eighty-five percent of celebrators say they are already taking at least one step to save this year. Most often that means buying fewer items or setting a budget ahead of time. You are far from alone in trying to keep this holiday smaller.
Halloween is rarely the only seasonal expense stacking up this time of year. Setting up a dedicated sinking fund for holiday spending now can cover Halloween, Thanksgiving, and December gifts. None of it has to touch a credit card. Even a small automatic transfer each payday adds up fast once it is running in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Spending Debt
How Many People Go Into Debt for Halloween?
Twenty-four percent of people who celebrate Halloween in 2026 expect to take on debt for it. Thirty-five percent say they have gone into Halloween debt in a previous year.
How Much Are People Spending on Halloween in 2026?
Celebrators expect to spend $162 on average this year. That is down 16% from $192 in 2025. Parents of kids under 18 expect to spend $269.
Why Are People Still Going Into Debt if Average Spending Is Falling?
A smaller overall budget does not guarantee less debt. Many shoppers are cutting back and still relying on credit. This is most true among Gen Z and parents.
Is It Normal to Regret Halloween Spending?
It is common. Fifty-one percent of people who have gone into Halloween debt before say they regret overspending. That is a strong argument for setting a budget before this year’s shopping starts.
What Is the Easiest Way to Avoid Halloween Debt Next Year?
Start a small sinking fund months ahead of October. That way, the money for candy, costumes, and decorations is already set aside. It will not land on a credit card at the last minute.
Final Thoughts
Halloween spending debt climbs every year for a simple reason. A string of small purchases rarely feels like real debt until the statement arrives. This year’s survey shows that even a shrinking budget does not protect you from that outcome. Set your number now, and cover it with cash or a debit card you already have the funds for. Let this be the Halloween that doesn’t show up on your November statement.
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