Halloween spending hit $11.6 billion in 2024, making it the second-highest revenue holiday for retailers after Christmas. If you’re running an e-commerce store and not capitalizing on Halloween gift-giving, there’s a significant revenue opportunity waiting.
Halloween isn’t just about candy anymore. It’s become a full-blown gifting season. From October care packages to party host gifts to “Boo Basket” trends taking over TikTok, shoppers are actively searching for Halloween gift ideas—and they’re ready to buy.
In this guide, you’ll discover 19 profitable Halloween gift ideas across every price point, plus proven strategies to market them effectively in the next three weeks before Halloween.
TLDR:
- Halloween gifting is a $13.1B opportunity with 69% of Americans participating
- Bundle products together to increase AOV by 30-40%
- Use popups to capture emails from Halloween traffic spikes
- You have until October 20 for standard shipping delivery—promote consistently
Why Halloween Gift Ideas Matter for Your Store Right Now
Halloween has evolved from a kids-only candy holiday into a major gifting occasion. According to the National Retail Federation, 72% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween in 2024, with total spending expected to reach $13.1 billion.
The Boo Basket trend has generated more than 103 million posts on TikTok, with parents, friends, and partners exchanging themed gift baskets throughout October.
Halloween Spending Statistics 2024
Here’s what the data tells us about Halloween shopping behavior:
| Metric | 2024 Data |
| Total Halloween Spending | $11.6 billion |
| Average Per-Person Spending | $103.63 |
| Participation Rate | 72% of consumers |
| Costume Spending | $3.8 billion total |
| Candy Spending | $3.5 billion |
| Decoration Spending | $3.8 billion |
| Pet Costume Spending | $700 million |
| Shoppers Starting Before October | 47% (up from 37% five years ago) |
| Online Shopping | 33% of shoppers |
Spending by Household Type:
| Household Type | Average Spending | Key Insight |
| Households with Children | $149.69 | 45.7% more than average consumer |
| Income Over $75,000 | $130.00 | High purchasing power |
| Lower-Income Households | $70.00 | Budget-conscious but still participating |
Why this matters for the next three weeks:
Gift buyers spend up to 35% more than regular Halloween shoppers because they’re buying for others, not just themselves’. That means higher average order values for your store.
October shoppers who have a great experience often return for Christmas shopping 6-8 weeks later. Halloween is your customer acquisition opportunity before the holiday rush.
Searches for Halloween gift ideas peak between October 15-31. You’re positioned well to capture this traffic with 47% of shoppers already beginning their Halloween purchases before October.
Top Halloween Gift Ideas for Kids
Boo Basket Essentials
Boo Baskets have become the Halloween equivalent of Easter baskets. Parents are actively searching for unique items to create memorable baskets for their children right now.
Households with children spend $149.69 on Halloween—45.7% more than the average consumer. This makes kids’ gifts one of the most profitable categories.
Pre-made Boo Basket sets should include:
- Small plush toys (ghosts, pumpkins, black cats)
- Halloween-themed activity books
- Glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark items
- Halloween socks or slippers
- Stickers and temporary tattoos
- Novelty candy items
Pricing sweet spot: $25-45 for complete baskets
Personalized Halloween Items
- Custom Name Trick-or-Treat Bags Personalized canvas tote bags with the child’s name remain top sellers. These hit the perfect price point ($15-25) and parents love posting them on social media.
- Monogrammed Halloween Pajamas Matching family pajamas are popular on Instagram. Offer kids’ PJs with names or initials embroidered on them ($28-38 per set).
- Halloween Craft Kits All-in-one kits for making masks, decorating pumpkins, or creating Halloween art ($20-35). These appeal to parents looking for screen-free activities.
Halloween Gift Ideas for Teens and Adults
Fashion and Accessories
- Halloween-Themed Jewelry Subtle pieces like moon phase necklaces, bat earrings, or constellation bracelets work for teens and adults ($18-45).
- Spooky Graphic Sweatshirts Oversized, cozy sweatshirts with vintage or minimalist Halloween designs ($38-55). These are perfect for October weather and highly giftable.
- Halloween Phone Cases Custom designs featuring skeletons, pumpkins, or spooky aesthetics ($18-30). Quick impulse buys that boost AOV.
Home Decor Gifts
- Luxury Halloween Candles High-end candles in elegant containers ($35-60). Market these as “sophisticated seasonal decor” rather than kids’ Halloween items.
- Halloween Throw Pillows Velvet or linen pillows with subtle Halloween designs ($28-45). These work throughout fall, not just Halloween.
- Seasonal Doormat Collections “Welcome to Our Haunted Home” or witch-themed doormats ($35-50). Practical gifts that get used right away.
Kitchen and Entertaining
- Halloween Cocktail Kits Everything needed for themed drinks: syrups, garnishes, recipe cards ($45-75). Perfect for party hosts.
- Spooky Cookie Cutter Sets Professional-grade cutters with matching recipe booklets ($20-35). These sell well to baking enthusiasts.
- Halloween Charcuterie Board Tools Themed serving boards with ghost or pumpkin shapes ($40-80). Premium gifts for entertainers.
Party Host Gifts
When someone’s invited to a Halloween party this month, they search for “Halloween gift ideas for the host.” Capture this traffic:
- Gourmet Halloween Treat Boxes Artisan chocolates, cookies, or candies in gift packaging ($35-65).
- Hostess Gift Baskets Curated collections of kitchen items, snacks, and decor ($50-85). Bundle your products here for higher margins.
Halloween Gift Ideas for Pet Owners
Pet Halloween products generate surprising revenue. With $700 million spent on pet costumes alone in 2024, this category continues to grow year over year.
Popular pet costume trends:
| Pet Costume Type | Popularity |
| Pumpkins | 29% of pet owners |
| Hot Dogs | 29% of pet owners |
| Spider-Man | Growing trend |
| Witch Costumes | Traditional favorite |
- Pet Halloween Costumes Premium, Instagram-worthy outfits beyond basic costumes ($25-50).
- Halloween Pet Bandanas Easy to wear, photogenic, and affordable ($12-20). Great add-ons to boost order value.
- Pet Treat Halloween Gift Sets Specialty treats in Halloween packaging ($15-30). Perfect for pet-loving gift buyers.
Premium Halloween Gift Ideas
Don’t ignore shoppers willing to spend more. High-ticket items have the best margins:
- Designer Halloween Throw Blankets Luxury materials with sophisticated seasonal designs ($85-150). Position as home decor investments.
- Halloween Experience Boxes Curated collections with premium items: candles, wine accessories, gourmet treats, decor ($75-125 per box).
How to Market Your Halloween Gift Ideas (October 6-31)
Having great products matters, but smart promotion is what drives sales. Here’s your game plan for the next three weeks:
Your Critical Timeline Starting Monday
You’re publishing this on October 6, which means you have exactly two weeks until peak buying (October 10-15) and three weeks until the Halloween delivery deadline.
Halloween to Holiday Season Shopping Timeline:
| Time Period | Shopping Focus | Your Marketing Action |
| Oct 10-15 | Peak Halloween buying window | Maximum promotion – this drives 40% of Halloween revenue |
| Oct 16-20 | Last week for standard shipping | Email: “One Week Left” + shipping deadline warnings |
| Oct 21-25 | Last-minute Halloween orders | Expedited shipping promotions + urgency messaging |
| Oct 26-31 | Post-Halloween clearance | Flash sales to clear inventory + pivot to holiday prep |
| Nov 1-15 | Early Black Friday research | Tease Black Friday deals to Halloween email list |
| Nov 16-30 | Black Friday/Cyber Monday | Major sales event – target Halloween customers |
| Dec 1-15 | Peak Christmas shopping | Email Halloween buyers with holiday gift guides |
| Dec 16-23 | Last-minute Christmas rush | Expedited shipping + gift card promotions |
| Dec 24-31 | New Year preparation | New Year’s resolution products + year-end sales |
Capture Contact Information from Halloween Traffic
Your website will see significant traffic spikes between October 10-20. Most stores make a critical mistake: they let these visitors browse and leave without capturing their contact information.
Set up strategic signup forms today offering a Halloween discount in exchange for email signup. This is crucial because:
Halloween browsers who don’t buy today might buy for Black Friday in 6 weeks, Christmas in 10 weeks, or New Year’s in 12 weeks. If you don’t capture their email now, you’ve lost them forever.
The Q4 Revenue Opportunity:
- Halloween visitor today → Potential Black Friday shopper (Nov 29)
- Halloween visitor today → Potential Christmas shopper (Dec 1-23)
- Halloween visitor today → Potential New Year’s shopper (Dec 26-31)
- Halloween visitor today → Potential year-round customer (lifetime value)
One email captured in October can generate 3-5 purchases across Q4 and beyond. This is why email capture is more valuable than a single Halloween sale.
Which Signup Form Types to Use:
| Form Type | Best Use Case | Timing | Conversion Rate |
| Exit-Intent Popup | Captures visitors about to leave | Triggers when cursor moves to close tab | 2-4% of exiting visitors |
| Welcome Popup | Greets new visitors immediately | Shows after 5-10 seconds on site | 3-5% of new visitors |
| Add-to-Cart Popup | Targets high-intent shoppers | Appears after adding product to cart | 8-12% of cart additions |
| Embed Form | On-page, non-intrusive | Always visible on page (footer/sidebar) | 1-2% steady conversion |
Recommended Strategy for Halloween Traffic:
1. Exit-Intent Popup (Priority #1) Set this up first. When a visitor moves to leave your site, trigger a popup:
- Offer: “Wait! Get 15% off your Halloween order”
- Copy: “Join our list for exclusive Halloween deals + early Black Friday access”
- Design: Use Halloween colors (orange, black, purple) with countdown timer
2. Add-to-Cart Popup (Highest Conversion) After someone adds a Halloween item to cart, show:
- Offer: “Complete your order and get 10% off your next purchase”
- Copy: “Plus, be first to know about our Black Friday deals”
- Timing: Appears 2-3 seconds after cart addition
3. Welcome Popup (For New Visitors) Show to first-time visitors after 10 seconds of browsing:
- Offer: “New here? Get 10% off your first Halloween order”
- Copy: “Join 10,000+ shoppers getting exclusive deals”
- Frequency: Once per visitor (use cookies to avoid annoying repeat visitors)
4. Embed Form (Always-On Capture) Add a simple email signup box in your:
- Website footer with “Get Halloween & Holiday Deals”
- Blog sidebar for content readers
- Product pages below the fold
Effective Popup Offers for Halloween Traffic:
- “Get 15% off your first Halloween order when you join our email list”
- “Unlock free shipping on orders over $50 plus exclusive Halloween ideas”
- “Join for early access to our Black Friday and holiday collection”
- “Sign up now – get Halloween tips + first dibs on Cyber Monday deals”
You should aim to capture 3-5% of your Halloween traffic as email subscribers using these combined forms.
Use tools like Retainful to set up all four signup form types in minutes. The platform automatically adds new subscribers to your email sequences, so even if they don’t buy for Halloween, you’ll market to them for Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year’s automatically.
Create Gift Bundles to Increase AOV
Bundling increases average order value by 30-40%. Instead of selling individual items, create themed packages this week:
Bundle examples:
- “Complete Boo Basket Kit” at $45 (basket + 8-10 small items)
- “Halloween Party Host Bundle” at $75 (wine accessories, treats, serving ware)
- “Family Halloween Night In” at $95 (matching PJs, movie snacks, decorations)
Price bundles at 15-20% less than buying items individually. Shoppers perceive value while you increase your AOV significantly.
Optimize Product Pages for Gift Buyers
Gift buyers have different needs than regular shoppers. Update your product pages today with:
Gift-specific information:
- “Perfect for Boo Baskets” or “Ideal hostess gift”
- Size details (so they know it fits in gift baskets)
- Age recommendations for kids’ items
- Gift wrapping options if available
- Estimated delivery dates clearly displayed
Social proof elements:
- Reviews mentioning gifting (“Bought this for my daughter’s friend…”)
- Photos showing products in actual gift baskets
- Instagram content showing your products being gifted
Add Urgency Messaging Everywhere
Halloween has a hard deadline. Use this to your advantage:
- Add countdown timers to your homepage and product pages
- Display shipping cutoff dates prominently
- Use “Only X left in stock” messaging
- Include “Order in the next 2 hours for same-day shipping” if applicable
Urgency converts browsers into buyers. Without it, people add to cart and forget until it’s too late.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Right Now
- Not offering bundles: Selling individual items limits your AOV. Create 3-5 bundles at different price points this week.
- Ignoring mobile optimization: Over 65% of Halloween shopping happens on mobile devices. Test your checkout flow on mobile today.
- No signup form strategy: If you’re not capturing emails from your Halloween traffic spike, you’re throwing away Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year’s revenue. Set up at least Exit-Intent and Add-to-Cart popups right away.
- Waiting too long: Every day you wait is lost revenue. Halloween traffic peaks October 10-31. Launch your promotion this week.
- Not segmenting emails: Don’t send the same message to everyone. Segment by customer type and personalize your Halloween gift ideas.
Turn Halloween Shoppers into Year-Round Customers
Halloween is your chance to acquire customers who’ll shop with you for Christmas and beyond. Make the most of it.
After someone buys Halloween gift ideas from your store, add them to a post-purchase email sequence. Retainful automates this perfectly:
Day 3 after delivery: Ask for a review of their Halloween gift Week 2: Preview your Black friday collection with early access Week 4: Offer exclusive discount for holiday shopping
This is how you turn a one-time Halloween buyer into a repeat customer worth 5-10x more over their lifetime.
Most store owners focus only on the Halloween sale and miss the bigger opportunity. Smart stores use Halloween traffic to build their email list and customer base for Q4 and beyond.
Start Capturing Halloween Revenue Today
You have exactly three weeks until Halloween. Traffic is already climbing, and October 10-30 will be your busiest week. The stores that win are the ones that promote consistently right now—and capture emails for the entire Q4 season.
Your next steps:
- Create 3 gift bundles today using existing inventory at $25, $50, and $75 price points
- Set up Exit-Intent and Add-to-Cart signup forms with Halloween discount offers
- Write and schedule your first Halloween email for October 10
- Add shipping deadline messaging to your site (October 20 for standard delivery)
- Launch or increase your ad spend right away targeting “Halloween gift ideas”
The difference between a mediocre October and a record-breaking Q4 comes down to execution in these next few days. Remember: every Halloween visitor you capture today becomes a potential Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year’s customer.
Want to automate your Halloween email campaigns, cart recovery, and signup forms?
Retainful helps e-commerce stores increase revenue through automated email sequences, multiple signup form types (Exit-Intent, Add-to-Cart, Welcome Popup, and Embed), and customer retention campaigns. Set up your complete Halloween-to-Holiday strategy in minutes and start capturing more sales automatically throughout Q4. Learn more at Retainful.com.
Also Read:
- The Best Black Friday Email Examples & Templates
- 50+ Irresistible Black Friday Email Subject Lines.
- 10 Best Cyber Monday Emails + Tips
Frequently Asked Question
The best Halloween gift ideas for adults include luxury candles ($35-60), Halloween cocktail kits ($45-75), seasonal throw pillows ($28-45), and designer throw blankets ($85-150). Adults spend an average of $103.63 on Halloween, with decoration spending reaching $3.8 billion in 2024.
Include small plush toys, Halloween activity books, glow sticks, Halloween socks, stickers, and novelty candy. The ideal price point is $25-45. Households with children spend $149.69 on Halloween, making Boo Baskets highly profitable for stores.
Start promoting by October 1st. Peak buying is October 10-15, driving 40% of Halloween revenue. Your shipping deadline for standard delivery should be October 20, with expedited options through October 25.
Yes. Retainful automates everything: Exit-Intent and Add-to-Cart popups capture emails, automated email sequences nurture Halloween buyers through Black Friday and Christmas, and cart recovery emails run 24/7. Set up your complete Halloween-to-Holiday strategy in minutes without manual work.
