Americans love Halloween – and even in an uncertain economy, they’re using their wallet to prove it.
The average person is expected to spend nearly $80 on costumes, candy and decorations, up from $72.31 last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
That adds up to $8 billion in total. And more than 70 percent of Americans (or 170 million) will participate in Halloween this year – the most that the organization has ever recorded in 10 years of tracking.
PHOTO GALLERY: Click Here to See 10 Outrageously Expensive Costumes
When it comes to costumes, Americans are also splurging more this year, with spending on costumes expected to increase by 8 percent to an average of $28.65 per person. Of those celebrating, 45 percent say they plan to dress in costume, and 15 percent say they plan to dress their pets in costumes.
While these numbers represent the average American, many Halloween enthusiasts will no doubt go to the extreme with their celebrations. According to a survey by Nextdoor.com, men age 18-34 typically spend the most on Halloween -- $200 on average. That might be because of the booming trend of “sexy” costumes among women, which typically cost less. A sexy Big Bird costume is the popular choice this year, as sales have spiked 500 percent since the presidential debate. One version costs $29.95 on Yandy.com or $55.95 for a more reserved option).
Here are 10 outrageously expensive costume options for this year. Let’s just hope whoever purchases them plans to wear them again one day.
Thanks to Romney's "binders full of women" comment in the second presidential debate, you'll likely see some binder costumes this year.
