What to know
- 64 per cent of Ontarians plan to spend less than $50 on Halloween costumes, while 22 per cent do not plan to shop for Halloween this year, according to an Angus Reid and Nextdoor Canada survey of 1,515 participants.
- Eight per cent of Ontarians expect to spend $100 to $149 on costumes, while 12 per cent plan to spend between $50 and $69. Toronto residents say the high cost of living makes Halloween spending more difficult.
- 62 per cent of Ontarians would consider supporting Canadian-made businesses this Halloween, compared with 59 per cent of Canadians nationally, though affordability remains a barrier.
- Nearly one in four respondents said free or low-cost community events would encourage local shopping or Halloween participation. Another 28 per cent said greater awareness of local events would help, while 18 per cent pointed to lower prices.
Halloween is slowly creeping closer, with the holiday just under two weeks away. However, some Ontario residents are saying they plan to be spooky on a budget, according to a new survey.
New data from a study conducted by Angus Reid and neighbourhood network Nextdoor Canada showed that of 1,515 participants, 64 per cent planned to keep a tight budget on Halloween costume shopping, with hopes to spend less than $50.
This is compared to 22 per cent of Ontarians, who said they don’t plan to shop for Halloween this year, and 25 per cent of Canadians across the country.
Only eight per cent of Ontarians said they expect to spend between $100 and $149 for a Halloween costume, while 12 per cent plan to spend between $50 and $69.
The data shows how affordability is shaping the holidays each year.
However, despite tightening budgets, the choice to support local businesses is still important to many of the Ontarians polled. The data found that 62 per cent would consider supporting Canadian-made businesses when shopping for Halloween this year. This is above the national per cent of 59.
Twenty-eight per cent of Ontarians said supporting local businesses is very important to them, but cost remains a barrier to supporting the cause.
Almost one in four respondents said free or low-cost events in the community would make them more likely to shop locally and/or participate in neighbourhood Halloween activities.
Meanwhile, 28 per cent said better awareness of any local events and activities would make them more likely to support. Eighteen per cent said lower prices would also sway them to buying locally.
‘It’s expensive in general,’ Torontonians react
The pinch is being felt right in Toronto as well, with multiple residents in the Liberty Village area telling Now Toronto that it makes sense why others are opting into a strict budget this Halloween season.
“It’s really hard to spend that much money on stuff. I personally do not spend on costumes,” Grace, a Toronto resident, said.
Ana, who loves Halloween, said she was planning to dress as Morticia Addams from The Addams Family. It’s a costume that ran her just under $100.
“The piece was like $99,” she said.
And for those planning to spend less, Ana said it might be a difficult task.
“Everything is so expensive nowadays, but it’s hard to spend less than $50 on Halloween if you have a big family [or] if you’re dressing up by yourself; costumes are pretty costly,” she said.
Another resident, Vince, also agreed with Ana, adding that the cost of living doesn’t make it any easier.
“It’s expensive in general just to be in this city,” he said.
Vince added that the spirit of Halloween means to step out of the box, creatively. It’s something Vince plans to do with his girlfriend this year.
“Halloween is a time to be creative, and so being resourceful is just exercising any more creativity than you can,” he said.
Friends Dolker and Ezzah said they plan to just stay home for the holiday, saving money by opting to either not wear a costume or create a small one.
They added that the lower spending may be connected to a more low-key night.
“Maybe they just don’t want to party and stuff,” Dolker said.
Ezzah added that spending on a grand costume might end up being a waste, and that keeping it casual is the way to go.
“It’s just for one day, so why do people want to spend that much money?” she said.
