Trick or Treat: How Much Money Canadians Spend on Halloween?

October 20, 2023October 20, 2023 Top Quality Canada canada, Candy, celebration, door to door, festivities, Halloween, Halloween candy, Halloween costume, How much money Canadians spend on candy, Spending, Spooky, Sweets, Trick or Treat

Halloween, with its costumes, decorations, and spooky festivities, is a beloved annual tradition across Canada. One of the delightful aspects of this celebration is the generosity with which Canadians distribute candies to trick-or-treaters. Families, businesses, and communities eagerly indulge in this sweet tradition, creating a joyful atmosphere on the last day of October. While exact figures might vary, examining past trends provides a fascinating insight into the Canadian penchant for Halloween treats.

The Tradition of Giving

For Canadians, Halloween is more than just a holiday; it’s an opportunity to share the joy of treats with children and neighbours. Streets and neighbourhoods come alive with the laughter of kids dressed as their favorite characters, going door to door for candies. The tradition of giving out candies has not only become a way to celebrate Halloween but also an expression of community spirit and generosity.

Estimating the Halloween Expenditure

While specific, up-to-date figures are elusive, historical data offers a good base into the scale of spending. According to Hellosafe, Canadian Finances Compartment Company, Canadians have spend 28.4% more on Halloween in 2022 than they did in 2021. However, in an environment of widespread inflation, spending more could still be correlated with purchasing fewer things. In total, Canadians have spend $1.64 billion on Halloween in 2022, a 28.4% increase from the previous year.

The budget for Canadian Halloween participation increased in 2022 once again for the second consecutive year. It climbed by 28.4% from $68.2 in 2021 to $87.6. However, this budget was still $9.6% less than that of 2019, the year prior to the pandemic ($97), indicating that the negative impacts of Covid-19 are still being felt.

Canadians’ Halloween spending patterns:

Costumes are anticipated to continue being the single greatest expense item in 2022, accounting for $41.5 on average per participant and, on average, 47.5% of the total budget. Candy is on second place with $22.4 on average (25.5% of total spending), pumpkins and other decorative items: $10.8 on average, e.g. 12.4% of the total budget and activities and other expenses, 12.9 $ on average, or 14.8% of the total budget.

How much money Canadians spend on Halloween Candy

Even though the inflation pressured parents to be extra careful with their spending, a lot of candies were given out during 2022 across Canada. As a result, candy sales in Canada were estimated a total of $486 million in the month of October 2022.

There are no official released forecast for 2023 yet, but many believe this years Halloween budget could somewhat be lower than in 2022. Skyrocketed cost of living this year will surely pressure Canadians to spend less on Halloween festivities this year.

Halloween candy expenditure in Canada, while difficult to predict 2023 spending, Halloween reflects the spirit of generosity and community that defines the nation. Canadians, whether individuals or businesses, embrace this tradition wholeheartedly, transforming a simple sweet into a symbol of sharing, kindness, and unity. As the autumn leaves fall and the air becomes crisp, Canadians eagerly prepare for another Halloween, ready to indulge in the joy of giving and receiving sweets, making this spooky holiday an occasion cherished by all.

Happy Halloween everyone!