Boo!

Okay, I guess it’s just me.  I don’t care for Halloween.  I know, lots of people have lots of fun, but, sorry, I am not interested.

What about the kids?  They have so much fun wearing costumes and getting lots of candy, don’t they?  Yes, they certainly do!

I told you, it’s just me.  People can do whatever they like to do; I’m not criticizing anyone.  As a youngster, Halloween seemed to me like the “funnest” day of the year.  I was really into it.

Then when I got older, it was just a fun day for the kids.  But in recent years, it has become a really big day for adults too; more about that in a minute.

So why do I sound like such a party pooper?  Talk about raining on the parade!

Last Year

Perhaps, for me it was finding out about the origins of Halloween.  Few know about it, and almost no one dares to talk about it because they would be labeled a party pooper too.  Last year I did a post on the Origins of Halloween.  You’re welcome to read if it you dare.

October 31 is also the anniversary of the Reformation, led by Martin Luther.  I posted some good history on that last year as well in a post called, October 31.

Some Interesting Stats

National Retailer Federation, and many others, have given their predictions for Halloween spending this year.  Spending for the Halloween holiday is second only to Christmas spending!

According to NRF’s 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, seven in 10 Americans (68.6%) plan to celebrate Halloween, up from 63.8 percent last year and the most in NRF’s nine-year survey history. Those celebrating are expected to spend slightly more too; the average person will shell out $72.31 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $66.28 last year. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $6.86 billion.

Excuse me; 72 bucks a person?  Is there a boom going on in our economy that I am not aware of?  The article talks about specific increased spending this year over last year.

The survey found this year’s celebrations will be far from tempered as more people plan to dress in costume (43.9% vs. 40.1% in 2010), throw or attend a party (34.3% vs. 33.3% last year) and visit a haunted house (22.9% vs. 20.8% in 2010.) Additionally, half (49.5%) will decorate their home/yard and 14.7 percent will dress their pets in costume. Other traditional celebratory activities include handing out candy (73.5%), carving a pumpkin (47.8%) and taking children trick-or-treating (32.9%).

I know someone personally who is on a very tight budget yet planning to buy costumes for her children.  I asked her about the costumes she bought last year.  The answer was, “They need new ones this year.”  I replied, “Why not make the costumes”  “I’ll think about that idea,” was her reply.

When I was growing up my parents never bought a costume; we always made something.  And that was a lot of fun being inventive and resourceful; using what was already around the house.

How Much Does That Costume Cost?

As I said before, this holiday is not just for the kids, not by a long shot.  The article went on to talk about the cost of costumes for both children and adults.

This year, Americans will spend $1 billion on children’s costumes, up from $840 million last year, and $1.21 billion on adult costumes, up from $990 million last year. Additionally, pet owners will shell out $310 million on pint size devils, pumpkins and witch costumes.

Okay, so we’ve got the kids in costumes, the adults in costumes, and the pets in costumes. What’s missing?  Oh, yeah, the candy, the decorations and the cards!

When it comes to decorations, more people this year than in the survey’s history will buy life-size skeletons, extra large inflatable pumpkins and fake cob webs, spending an average of $19.79. Spending on Halloween décor is second only to spending on Christmas decorations. Festive celebrants will also buy candy ($21.05) and greeting cards ($4.96.)

Consumers aren’t completely blowing caution to the wind this year, however. According to the survey, nearly one-third (32.1%) say the state of the U.S. economy will impact their Halloween plans. To compensate, most say they will try to spend less overall (87.1%). Others will make a costume instead of purchasing one (18.9%), use last year’s costume (16.6%) and buy less candy (40.2%.)

Trick Or Treat!

So, from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, some 2,000 years ago, to our modern day, with Muffy dressed up like a witch, another Halloween holiday is upon us.

Enjoy the day; and whatever you do, have fun and be safe; but don’t expect me in disguise knocking on your door hoping to get some candy.   But again, that’s just me.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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October 31
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