Hey New Jersey: What decoration are we looking for at Halloween? Not a ghost, not a witch

Are you ready for All Hallows' Eve?

Most Americans are more than ready — to the tune of $12.2 billion. Add up the costumes, decorations and candy, and you have the projected record spending for Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey.

But what are we spending those billions on?

Well, the costume category has one clear winner this year: Barbie (according to Google).

But what about decorations? And what's hot in New Jersey?

Let's set the scene first. Pumpkins are generally the most popular decoration, according to a study, and the usual decor falls in line with it: corn stalks, skeletons, black cats and witches round out the top 5. In Colorado, Michigan, Illinois and a few other states, pumpkins are the top item at the house.

That's all according to a study that pulled data from Google search terms related to Halloween decorations, and a survey of 1,209 Americans, all compiled and analyzed by Lombardo Homes.

Typical items are on the list in other states: Utah goes for a spider, Pennsylvania and New York like corn stalks (snore), way out in Nebraska, they apparently like a zombie, and Wisconsin goes really creepy with the Grim Reaper at the top of the chart.

New Jersey, though, stands alone. Our favorite decoration isn't showing up in any other state's top pick, and we have to ask ourselves: Why?

But here it is: New Jersey loves a clown.

Take the bats, Delaware. Enjoy your witches, Texas. Here in Jersey, we'll stick with the clowns.

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This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Black cat, corn stalks, zombies top Halloween decorations in US