Halloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays to get creative and it just so happens to be a goldmine for Etsy sellers. Every year, I see how early people start shopping (I’m talking July!) and how much they’re willing to spend on fun, spooky, and totally over-the-top products. Honestly? I’m one of them. I spend way too much money on cool Halloween decor and costume ideas every year, me and my family are obsessed!
Over the past few years, I’ve also shifted my blog strategy to focus more on seasonal content, and the results have been wild – tons of traffic, a spike in affiliate sales (hello, Amazon!), and a noticeable revenue jump during peak holidays like Halloween.
So I decided to go deep on this one. I pulled insights from real Etsy sellers, sales trends, product research tools, and marketplace data to round up the best Halloween product ideas that actually sell. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to make this your biggest season yet, this guide has you covered.
Let’s dive in.
Why Halloween Is a Goldmine on Etsy
Let’s talk numbers for a second, Halloween spending in 2023 hit over $12 billion. Yep, billion with a B. And while big-box stores get a chunk of that, Etsy is where shoppers go for the really good stuff, handmade, personalized, spooky, and one-of-a-kind.
The craziest part? People start shopping early. Like, July early. Some sellers keep their Halloween listings live year-round because, honestly, there’s a whole group of people who live for spooky season 365 days a year (and I love them for it).
The secret to standing out? Go niche and unique. Skip the generic and lean into themes, subcultures, or aesthetics that have loyal fan bases – like gothic home decor, cottagecore witchy stuff, or even nostalgic 90s Halloween vibes.
This season isn’t just about fun, it’s a massive opportunity to boost your shop’s visibility, revenue, and returning customer base.
When Is The Best Time to List Halloween Products
If you’re waiting until October to list your Halloween stuff… you’re way too late. The sweet spot? July through early August. That gives you time to rank for keywords and show up in searches before the wave hits.
Search traffic really picks up in late August and peaks in early October, but I’ve actually seen Halloween digital products sell year-round, especially things like wall art, SVGs, and printable games. (Spooky vibes never die, apparently.)
Some Etsy sellers keep their listings active all year and just let the algorithm do its thing. It works. I’ve even bought Halloween stuff in the middle of spring, don’t judge me LOL.
If you want to be strategic, tools like eRank, Alura or EtsyHunt help you track when Halloween-related keywords start to spike so you’re not guessing. If you want to learn more about the best research tools for Etsy – I just published an article about this – read it here.
Best Halloween Products to Sell on Etsy
Let’s get into the good stuff. Whether you’re into handmade crafts, POD, or digital downloads, Halloween has something for every seller. I broke it down by category so you can see what’s hot – and what could work for your shop.
Halloween Decor
This category is always in demand. Think personalized doormats, retro ceramic ghosts, and anything cute-but-creepy to hang on doors or windows. Mini knit pumpkins are surprisingly popular too. I even saw a listing called Ghost in a Bottle that’s been flying off the shelves, totally weird, totally genius – see it here.
Here are more ideas:
- Personalized doormats, welcome signs
- Mini knit pumpkins
- Ceramic ghosts
- Hanging bats & spooky suncatchers
Costumes & Accessories
Handmade kids’ costumes are huge, especially when they’re unique or nostalgic. Matching family or couple looks also do super well—think mom-and-baby ghost outfits or couple’s vampire sets. Don’t skip pet costumes either. Yes, people really buy dog bat wings in July.
Want inspo? Here is a great YouTube video covering the top Etsy Halloween trends.
More ideas:
- Handmade kids costumes
- Matching couple/family looks
- Pet costumes
- Wigs, capes, costume add-ons
Halloween Apparel
Graphic tees and sweatshirts sell like crazy in the fall. Look for viral trends like Barbie, witchcore, ghosts, or funny spooky quotes. Glow-in-the-dark designs are super popular too. If you’re doing print-on-demand, avoid trademarked phrases and focus on unique, seasonal sayings.
- Graphic tees & sweatshirts (Barbie, witchcore, ghosts)
- Glow-in-the-dark prints
Need shirt ideas – watch this video about the top selling Halloween shirt on Etsy:
Spooky Candles & Bath Products
Halloween-themed self-care is a whole vibe. Skull-shaped bath bombs, black flame candles (hello, Hocus Pocus fans), and pumpkin-scented everything. People eat it up – especially if your packaging is on point.
Check this out:
- Skull-shaped bath bombs
- Black flame candles
- Scented soaps (pumpkin spice, witch’s brew)
Digital Downloads
This is where you can really lean into passive income. Halloween party kits, SVG files, coloring pages, printables, you name it. I’ve sold Halloween digital products in March, so yes – list them early.
If you’re stuck on what to create, look for keywords like “Halloween svg” in one of the research tools like Alura. Here are a few ideas:
- Printable party kits
- Halloween quote SVGs
- Coloring pages & kids’ activities
Seller Tips That Actually Work
If you’re serious about making sales this Halloween, don’t just list your products and hope for the best. These are the things I’ve seen work, not just for me, but from digging through social threads, trend tools, and watching what top shops are doing.
Keep your Halloween listings up all year
Yep, even in April. It costs barely anything to keep a listing live, and I’ve seen digital Halloween items sell totally out of season. Plus, it helps with SEO and gives you a head start when spooky season rolls back around.
A/B test like a pro
Try swapping out titles, photos, or even your first listing image to see what performs best. You’d be surprised what a moody vs. bright photo can do to your click-through rate.
Follow Pinterest + TikTok trends
This is where a lot of the “aesthetic” Halloween looks go viral first – like cottagecore witches, ghostcore, or 90s horror throwbacks. Watch how these trends evolve and use them in your listings or product designs.
*** Check out the eRank POD Halloween Trend Guide to stay on top of what people are searching for in real-time.
Sell bundles
People love curated Halloween gifts and sets. Think: spooky candle + mini soap + handwritten tag. Or a matching mug + coaster combo. Bonus points if you offer gift wrapping or seasonal packaging. Fo example I sell digital download – so I love to gather a number of designs together and sell them as a bundle – “top 100 Halloween SVGs”.
Add urgency
Limited-time listings or countdowns (“only 3 left!”) create that FOMO that makes buyers hit ‘add to cart’ fast. Etsy lets you show how many items are left in stock – use it to your advantage.
Promote outside Etsy too
Use your email list, and socials to boost exposure and let your audience know what you offer – this is free!
Final Thoughts
Halloween is hands-down one of the best times to boost your Etsy sales. Whether you’re selling handmade decor, POD sweatshirts, or printable kits, the demand is huge, and getting in early gives you a major edge. Use the tools, follow the trends, and don’t forget to add your own magic to every listing.
