"It's definitely gotten a little crazy, but it's all worth it for the screams and smiles from the visitors," Halloween aficionado Gabe Herman told Newsweek.
A holiday that began in the U.S. in the 1840s, Halloween has become a huge occasion for families around the country. But the spooks extend beyond a jack-o-lantern for some dedicated Halloween enthusiasts who go above and beyond to create spine-tingling decorations, often spending thousands of dollars on their displays.
Herman, 36, from Mokena, Illinois, is one of these decoration perfectionists, and has turned his front yard into the incredible "Herman's Graveyard." Jam-packed with pumpkins, skeletons and horrors of all kinds, the graveyard has become a neighborhood favorite.
Herman spends around two months creating new props each year, and an additional three weeks setting everything up.
It's definitely not a cheap hobby.
"My inspirations for my decorations come throughout the year," Herman said. "It can simply be from seeing someone's work at a convention, admiring how talented they are, or checking out work from fellow Chicago haunt builders, all the way to seeing tutorials online."
While he doesn't have an exact figure for the total cost over the years, he estimates that he invested around $3,000-$4,000 in his decorations this year. "It's definitely not a cheap hobby," he said.
Americans are expected to spend a record level $12.2 billion on Halloween in 2023—a significant increase from the $10.14 billion in 2021, according to recent data from the National Retail Federation (NRF).
The average amount spent by each person in the U.S. on candy, costumes, decorations and greeting cards is thought to be around $108, with the average amount spent on costumes around $36.84 per person, and a further $31.93 on candy.
Halloween has always had a special place in his heart, passed down the generations: "When my dad passed, I inherited the house, so I wanted to keep up with the traditions with putting up a graveyard in our front yard every year like we used to."
In Cincinnati, Ohio, 21-year-old Jackson Richter has flexed his creative flair to create an impressive display in his front yard.
"I've been collecting Halloween decorations for years, so I'd say I have $2000+ worth of decorations," Richter told Newsweek. He usually spends about $100-$200 per year to add new items to his collection.
Just like Herman, Richter's love of Halloween is long-standing, too. "When I was a kid, I loved seeing all the houses with decorations, and I want to put out a great yard for the kids to enjoy," he said.
"I just love Halloween," he added, admitting it has always been a passion for him. "When I was a kid I sometimes asked for Halloween decorations for my birthday so my parents would have more stuff to be able to put in the yard."
When I was a kid I sometimes asked for Halloween decorations for my birthday.
Nicole Jones, 29, lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, where her Halloween decorations take on a fresh theme every year, inspirations including Disney favorites The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Haunted Mansion.
"It takes about one full day to assemble everything," Jones told Newsweek. "Although our 12-foot skeleton, George Bones, never comes down, so that saves time."
The decorations themselves have been accumulated over a number of years, and some of them are props from Jones and her partner's Halloween themed wedding.
"As far as cost goes... We have invested 'an irresponsible amount.' But we do save up all year so we can give the kids the best Halloween experience possible," she said.
For Jones and her partner, it is all about the magic of the holiday. "When I was a kid, I remember trick-or-treating being a huge event. Every house had its light on, and we always looked forward to the houses with big, scary decorations and good candy," she said.
"We want to bring back that mystical aspect of Halloween... Never knowing what the next house will bring."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
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