I love Halloween. It’s one of my favorite holidays — and based upon its mass appeal, apparently I’m not alone.
In fact, even though the wicked economy continues to put a scare into most of us, it hasn’t dampened our spirits when it comes to celebrating what was originally known as All Hallows’ Eve.
So just how hot is Halloween? Well, it’s so popular that it’s downright spooky.
To prove it, here are a few bone-chilling financial facts from the National Retail Federation — along with some other horrendous Halloween trivia I dug up — that I bet you’ve all been dying to know:
1. The Halloween business is absolutely monstrous. Americans will spend $6.9 billion in 2011 on everything from candy and costumes to decorations. That’s an increase of 16 percent from what consumers said they would spend last season.
2. Here’s another shocking survey finding: The average consumer intends to spend $72.31 on Halloween products this year. That’s $6.03 more than last year.
3. According to the US Census Bureau, there were 41 million trick-or-treaters last year between the ages of 5 and 14. It’s unknown how many cranky old people sat on their front porches screaming, “Get the heck off my lawn!”
4. This year, 7 in 10 Americans plan to celebrate Halloween; that’s the highest level of participation in the survey’s nine-year history. I assume the other three prefer gardening. Or giving trespassing kids the evil eye.
5. Then again, who says Halloween is just for the kids? Believe it or not, in 2011 adults are collectively expected to spend $210 million more on Halloween costumes for themselves than their own little hobgoblins.
6. Don’t forget Fido: Americans also plan on spending $310 million to dress up their pets this year.
7. With over $2.5 billion being spent on Halloween costumes alone, it’s no wonder there were 1,719 costume rental establishments across America as of 2009.
8. If you plan on attending a neighborhood Halloween party this year, you can reduce the chance of bumping into your sartorial doppelganger by avoiding one of the five most popular adult costumes in 2011: a witch, a pirate, a vampire, a zombie, and Batman.
9. I’d be lying if I told you I’m glad the “vampy vixen” costume failed to crack the top five this year; it’s currently ranked seventh. Maybe next year.
10. Census data shows that 92 percent of American households consider their neighborhoods safe. Yes, that includes the folks living in places like Tombstone, Arizona and Cape Fear, North Carolina.
11. Even so, that won’t stop parents like me from checking the kids’ Halloween candy for signs of tampering.
12. If it will make you feel any better, there has been only one documented case since 1974 of a child being killed by a lethal Halloween treat — and in that lone instance, the Grim Reaper turned out to be the father.
13. Speaking of Halloween candy, the typical household is expected to spend $21.05 on Halloween candy this year.
14. By the way, if you hate crowds, make sure you avoid the stores on October 28; that day just so happens to be the biggest day of the year for candy sales.
15. In all, Americans will spend over $2 billion this year on candy to keep their neighborhood trick-or-treaters happy. Hopefully, they’ll avoid the Halloween treats kids hate more than anything.
16. Perhaps that large confection market is why, in 2009, the US had 1177 establishments producing chocolate and cocoa products, employing over 34,000 people. Somewhat ironically, a lot of kids will tell you that many of the most popular Halloween treats don’t involve chocolate at all.
17. Still, if you insist on giving out chocolate this Halloween, you’ll probably want to know that the four most popular candy varieties are: Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, and M&Ms.
18. Here’s an eerie trick for scaring up your favorite treats: Kit Kat lovers might be interested to know that they have a 37 percent better chance of scoring that crispy confection at a ranch-style home. And any self-respecting Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup fan should realize they have a 26 percent greater chance of getting those tasty treats at two-story houses. Then again, I usually avoid the hassle entirely by just buying — and squirreling away — an extra bag for myself. Just don’t tell my kids.
Photo Credit: Kathy Kimpel
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We’re going to make costumes for our kids this year which will lead to some savings. I think stocking up on a variety of different types of candies is your insurance you won’t blow your budget on candy. Chocolates are most expensive so we don’t buy as many chocolates to hand out.
When I was a kid, I used to buy some cheap face make-up and make my own costumes out of whatever old clothes I could scrounge up around the house. It cost almost nothing to be a hobo, a cowboy, or a pirate, for example. Of course, these days, a lot of kids want more elaborate costumes.
i’m with you i love halloween!!!! my child is still young enough that he still thinks it’s cool to do family themes. this year we are star wars, with the munchkin as a storm trooper, the man as darth maul, the dog as yoda, and me as princess leia…(and no not the slave costume…lol )
yay for cape fear, nc!!!
I love it! Especially the dog as Yoda! Dog costumes are hilarious!!
If you’re not going as Princess Leia in the slave costume, I assume going as her in the vampy vixen costume is out of the question too?
(Sorry; I couldn’t resist.)
I’m with you on #9 Len!
LOL! I think most guys out there would say the same thing.
I was almost slammed in my tracks with Martha Stewart….but I persevered. I’m with you, but what does the Honeybee think?
Yeah, that picture (in the accompanying link, readers) of Martha Stewart in the kitty cat costume was, um, interesting. As for the Honeybee, I suspect she’d be more comfortable dressing up as a, well, honeybee. (But maybe I’ll buy her that other costume anyway!)
Halloween does seem to help boost the economy, if only a little. I think most of it is due to the fact that you feel obligated to buy candy just in case you get “trick or treaters”. Last year, I didn’t have any. Oh well, the candy was nice to eat myself.
I know better for this year though.
One year, when I was still in my mid 20s, I ran out of candy and so — instead of simply turning off the lights and pretending no one was home — I started handing out whatever I had in my pantry. I remember giving out some Ho-Ho’s and when those ran out I started giving out Chip’s Ahoy cookies (which I am sure turned into crumbs by the time those kids got home). LOL!
My wife misses the little trick or treaters coming to the door. We live in a gated community where that doesn’t happen. Don’t misundertand, I think it is very cute to see little children dress up and goo trick or treat,but I get to see the kids dress up in school.
I love seeing all the little kids come to my door. What I don’t really like so much are the older teenagers — once you’re old enough to drive, I think it’s time to recognize that you’re a bit old for trick-or-treating.
I’m handing out mung!!!
One of my Halloween projects this year was on candy math – specifically the cost of candy and treats, and how to understand the price per piece.
Based on my analysis, $21.01 in Halloween candy would be about 200 pieces of candy. That may sound like a lot, but I ran my candy math based on 300 pieces because that’s closer to what the candy hosts are telling me that they buy for neighborhood trick or treat or the church / school / community trunk or treat parties.
If you pay 20 cents a piece for 300 pieces, that’s about $62.50 on Halloween candy. If you pick treats that cost 11 cents each, you’ll spend only $35.71 for 300 pieces. If you pick treats that cost only 8 cents each, you’ll spend $24 for 300 pieces.
The silliest and ultimately most expensive Halloween was the year my son was 14 and a freshman in high school. A group of girls about his same age came to the door and recognized me as in “oooooh, you’re Mike’s mom!”. Heavy emphasis on the “oooooh”. I noticed lots of cell phones being dialed as they walked away. Soon, marauding bands of teenaged girls started ringing the bell, giggling and peeking around my shoulder to see if they could catch a glimpse of this now mythical being who I thought (silly me) was just a regular kid. There were so many that I ended up sending my husband to the store for more candy! Good thing Albertson’s had all their candy on sale or I’d have wound up uglying up my son to make sure the next Halloween would be quieter at our house. And my son Mike? He just rolled his eyes and smiled. Very suave for 14, dontcha think?
Great story, Debbi! Thanks for sharing that!
Always enjoyed Halloween when the kids were young (our youngest is 18). I still like Halloween because we stock up on Butterfingers, and I try to give them out last. One thing we noted and were also told, Halloween is a huge night for pizza delivery. I know we had several pizza parties for the kids over the years after they went out trick or treating.
Maybe we can arrange a candy swap? I’ll trade you your Reese’s Peanut Butter cups for my Butterfingers!
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