Halloween spending is projected to reach a record $13.5 billion in 2026, according to a National Retail Federation survey, topping last year’s $13.1 billion. That works out to about $115 per shopper, and 74% of people surveyed say they still plan to celebrate the holiday despite higher prices on just about everything.

Candy, costumes, and yard decorations are the top spending categories, and roughly half of shoppers got a head start on buying. Retailers are even offering AI-powered tools to help last-minute shoppers compare prices across stores. At Danny’s Trix & Kix, a year-round costume shop in Spring, Texas, that has been open since 1976, customers told reporters that rising costs won’t stop them from dressing up. One shop owner put it simply: prices are going up, but it’s for the kids.

Here in Waxahachie, that spending shows up in familiar places, from the aisles at local stores to the porches and lawns around town getting dressed up for the season. Whether you’re team splurge or team budget, the choices are the same this week. So tell us, how much are you planning to spend on Halloween this year?