Trendwatch: will people make their Halloween costumes instead of buying them?

(AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS)

If last year's costumes were politically oriented due to the presidential elections, this year, according to Money magazine, is fueled by recently deceased stars like Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett as the most popular choices for costumes, and other 1980s outfits. Besides the glittering glove and red leather jacket, another hot costume will be vampires, inspired by Twilight and the HBO television series, True Blood.

The continued favorites for kid's costumes remain: princesses, witches, Spider-man and Batman, pirate, pumpkin, Star Wars character, and Disney characters. Transformers and Wolverine, too. Teens are going for hippies and zombies.

Another trend this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation, is that spending is estimated to fall 18 percent to $4.75 billion. Still, it's a frightening figure. People will make costumes instead of buying them

The 2009 report states that the average consumer plans to spend $56.31 on Halloween merchandise this year, down from $66.54 in 2008. Consumers will spend an average of $20.75 on costumes, including children and pets, $17.99 on candy for trick-or-treaters, and $14.54 on decorations.