A new poll reveals that most Americans finish eating candy before Halloween

Candy disappears Faster than a ghost on Halloween night – The Americans admit that they cannot stop sneaking out of hiding.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that the average American eats out of her Halloween candy stash twice before trick-or-treating arrives. One in four admitted they had to restock food three or more times (26%).

The survey looked at the amount of effort and temptation that goes into preparing for the holiday.

The results, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of CVS Pharmacy, showed that about a third of survey respondents identified themselves as Premier planners who stock and decorate by October 1, while almost as many admit to being last-minute shoppers.

Half of those who decorate insist That they have the best home in the area (51%).

Despite early intentions, more than half (55%) said they still found themselves rushing out to buy sweets at the last minute. And it’s not just sweets, as 43% of those dressed up also need a touch-up or make-up in the days leading up to Halloween.

“Halloween should be about fun, not stress,” said Brian Eason, vice president of general merchandise and consumables at CVS Health. “Whether you need hypoallergenic candy or treats for trick-or-treating, last-minute decor, or some finishing touches from the beauty aisle to complete your costume, we are here to help make it easy to find everything you need in-store or online today.”

Getting into character is no easy feat, especially since 43% of respondents go all out on Halloween.

Respondents who dressed themselves or their children for the holiday spent approximately five-and-a-half hours putting their looks together, with hair and makeup taking even longer, showing an increasing emphasis on creative makeup, and reflecting how Halloween has become a stage for self-expression.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (62%) consider themselves “Halloween people,” with Generation Z and Millennials leading the charge.

For these enthusiasts, the season is defined by more than fashion and candy: They prefer sweet snacks (32%) over salty (15%), are more likely to identify as introverts, and are often born under the signs of Leo, Cancer, or Taurus (10% for each).

When asked what makes the holiday special, candy was the top answer (42%), followed by costumes (27%), fall atmosphere (23%), and spooky atmosphere (21%).

Parents also ranked their children’s excitement among the best parts of the season (23%).

This year, four in ten say they are likely to hand out non-food items like fidget toys (23%), friendship bracelets (21%), or small stuffed animals (21%), to include children with food allergies.

“We are now in our fourth consecutive year of exclusively partnering with FARE on the Teal Pumpkin Project to help make finding universal gifts easier, and we know that more and more families are choosing to give gifts that every child can enjoy,” Eason said. “Our goal is to help our customers celebrate with ease, comfort and confidence.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans from the general population; The survey was commissioned by CVS Pharmacy and administered and conducted online by Talker Research from September 11-15, 2025.