Even when the economy is shuffling along like a zombie, American aren’t scared to spend big bucks on Halloween. A recent survey says the average person will spend $72.32 on Halloween — or about $6.8 billion nationwide.

CNN cites a survey om the National Retail Federation, which says that 7 out of 10 people polled plan to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve this year. Last year there were $41 million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 out trick-or-treating for the right to fill up their pumpkin buckets with piles of candy.

So what are we spending all that money on? Out of the average total, we’re buying at least $20 worth of candy alone. And to make sure our pets get the most of the holiday, we’re shelling out $310 million on pet costumes. Yes. Costumes for animals that surely dislike wearing devil horns.

Overall, Halloween beats out Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and Easter, and is only outdone by Christmas when it comes to total spending.

Spending $310 million… on pet costumes [CNN]

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