We’ve all walked into a store on August 1st. Pumpkin spice candles fill the air, Halloween decorations spill off the shelves, and Spirit Halloween is back for the season. Granted, there are still two whole months till October, fall feels near, and Halloween is right around the corner. The real question is: Is it ever too early to start getting ready for Halloween?
Some say yes – preparing for fall in the midst of hot, humid August is absurd. Others can’t wait to get their decorations out and put on their favorite fall movies. In the end, “too early” is really up to personal opinion. Let’s take a look at both perspectives.
For some, Halloween should start and end in October. They argue that celebrating too early takes away the excitement and makes the holiday feel overdone. Of course, when Halloween rolls around, we end up spending a decent amount of money on things like costumes, candy, and decorations. But when stores like Marshalls and Target get out their decorations in August, the holiday starts feeling a bit more commercial, especially since “Americans are expected to spend $4.2 billion on Halloween decorations this year [2025], marking a $1.6 billion increase since 2019”, according to the National Retail Federation. Rushing to buy the necessities can take away from the buildup in October and lead to more of a rushed procedure. Overall, starting before October can dull the magic of the holiday.
On the other hand, many people see early Halloween celebrations as a way to stretch out the joy. For them, August isn’t rushing; it’s just preparing. Decorating early gives families more time to plan costumes, try recipes, and overall enjoy the special season. A big reason that customers get ahead on shopping is to “spread out costs and avoid last-minute stress,” according to the NRF. So when October actually does roll around, there is more time to take in the season rather than rushing to buy candy and decorations last-minute, just to find them sold out.
Personally, I prefer starting Halloween celebrations in October. There’s something special about feeling that first crisp breeze, seeing the leaves change, and then bringing out the decorations. It makes the season feel more authentic and exciting. Maybe it’s because I am taking in summer while it lasts, but I think there is something special about waiting until there is a chill in the breeze. Still, I don’t mind if others get an early start. If hanging cobwebs in August or watching scary movies makes people happy, then that’s their choice. In the end, Halloween is about fun and creativity, and everyone should celebrate it in the way that feels right to them.
