Spooky, scary or silly, spending in the billions

Halloween spending is expected to reach $7.4 billion this year.

That's a lot of candy.

According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, the average person will spend $77.52 this Halloween, up $2.49 from last year. And it's not just candy; that amount also includes cards and decorations, as well as costumes.

"There's no question that the variety of adult, child and even pet costumes now available has driven the demand and popularity of Halloween among consumers of all ages," says NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in a news release late last month.

"And with the holiday falling on a Friday this year, we fully expect there will be a record number of consumers taking to the streets, visiting haunted houses and throwing unforgettable celebrations."

According to the federation, more than two-thirds of those dressing up this year plan to buy their costumes, and will spend about $2.8 billion. Of that amount, $1.1 billion will be spent on children's costumes; $1.4 billion on adult costumes; and another $350 million on the family pet.

Most of those Americans plan to find inspiration for this year's frightful fashion online (34.2 percent) or in a costume shop (33 percent). The popular online website Pinterest is expected to attract 11.4 percent of those looking for ideas, particularly young adults and those between the ages of 25 and 34.

So what costumes are we wearing this year?

Popular movie characters continue to lead the way, so don't be surprised to find a tiny Elsa, Anna or Olaf knocking at your door, (an estimated 2.6 million children will be dressed as one of the characters from Disney's "Frozen"), or a muscle-bound Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (1.8 million are expected).

Other popular costumes for children this year will be princesses (3.4 million), animals (3 million) and Spider-Man (2.6 million).

Approximately 75 million adults will be donning costumes. Popular choices include witches (4.8 million), animals (2.6 million), a Batman character (2 million) or a pirate (1.8 million).

Of those planning to dress their pet in costume the top choices are pumpkins, followed by hot dogs, devils, bumblebees and cats. We'll assume the dogs are the ones dressing like cats.

Consumers seek inspiration from a variety of subjects, such as pop-culture and politics, and Times News readers are no exception.

We conducted a random survey about children's costumes and found that princesses and superheroes are leading the pack. Some of the other choices include Minecraft characters, Renaissance Faire character, characters from literature, rock stars, cowgirls or cowboys, clowns, police officers, professional wrestlers, hippies, butterflies, zombies and more.

The choices are limited only by the participant's, or his or her parents', creativity.

Of Times News respondents, 70 percent will purchase their child's costume, while the rest were planning to make them, either from scratch or by raiding the dress-up closet, or by reconfiguring old costumes.