Halloween Business 2009

Because of current economic woes, it seems we will not be spending the same bucks for Halloween gear and sweets this year. The National Retail Federation reports that "consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from last year's $66.54. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion.

According to the NRF, 2009's top costumes are vampires, princesses, police officers and pirates, while politicians, nurses and Batman are losing popularity. However, fewer people plan to celebrate Halloween this year (62.1% vs. 64.5% last year).  Only one-third (33.4%) will dress in costume, compared to 35.3 percent last year.

The number of people carving a pumpkin will also drop (42.4% compared to 44.6% last year).  Fewer people will throw or attend a party (30.2% vs. 31.1% in 2008), visit a haunted house (17.0% vs. 18.1% in 2008) and hand out candy (71.2% vs. 73.7% last year) or decorate their home or yard (47.3% vs. 50.3%).

Photo - Biggest Pumpkin Contest

Children choose among Halloween pumpkins at the Buschmann and Winkelmann Asparagus Farm on October 18, 2009 in Klaistow, Germany. September and October are pumpkin harvesting season and the Buschmann and Winklemann farm alone harvests 800 tonnes of pumpkins and squash annually. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)