HOUSEHOLDS now spend an average of £162 on Hallowe'en, new figures reveal.

The cost of costumes, sweets, decorations and parties have spiralled as homeowners increasingly embrace the ghoulish night as a cause for celebration.

A study from credit card company Capital One has shown that witches and werewolves are the nation's favourite Hallowe'en costume, although some less traditional outfits, including Where's Wally and morph suits, are gaining popularity.

The expense breaks down, on average, as £36 on adults' costumes, £32 on kids' outfits, £18 on sweets for trick or treaters, £43 on parties and £33 on decorations

Almost half of adults, 46%, will celebrate Hallowe'en this year and over a quarter, 27%, will dress up.

Nearly two-thirds, 62%, of parents say their children will be donning costumes and 51% will go trick or treating.

However not all households have chosen to embrace the spooky celebrations - over a third of parents, 36%, have banned their children from trick or treating and one in five adults say they won’t open the door to trick or treaters.

Some thrifty families are slashing the cost of Hallowe'en with 8% of adults making their own costumes, 12% reusing exisiting outfits and 6% borrowing from friends.

Only 4% of families plan to make their child's outfits themselves.

Sally Camm, brand director at Capital One, said: “Halloween is growing in popularity every year with families really getting into the spirit of the night.

"But if you don’t want to be haunted by the bills it makes sense to set a budget and stick to it.

"Making your own costumes and decorations can save a lot of cash while face paints are inexpensive and can look really effective.”

Top Ten Hallowe'en costumes for adults - 2014

1. Witch

2. Vampire

3. Zombie

4. Where’s Wally?

5. Animal

6. Skeleton

7. Uniform

8. Clown

9. Pirate

10. Celebrity

 

Top ten Halloween costumes for children 2014

1. Werewolf

2. Witch

3. Wizard

4. Pumpkin

5. Military uniform

6. Vampire

7. Monster

8. Zombie

9. Angel