From creative costumes to haunted houses, Halloween consumes the entire month of October. These five Halloween facts will surprise you.
Even if the temperatures don’t seem very fall-like, Halloween is quickly approaching. Pumpkins appear in fields, costumes line store shelves and copious amounts of candy fill the pantry. Even if you aren’t a Halloween fan, the October holiday cannot be avoided. From the real world to entertainment, Halloween invades everyone’s life during October. Still, these five Halloween facts might surprise you.
(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Heidi Klum)
1. Halloween as an industry will generate more revenue in 60 days than Hollywood will generate the entire year from January to October. (HauntedWorld)
Every week, the news reports how many millions of dollars the box office generates. Who would think that Halloween would generate more revenue that than Hollywood? But, according to HauntedWorld, this annual holiday encompasses a huge amount of spending. From costumes to parties to the copious amounts of candy, everyone is buying something for Halloween.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend over $9 billion on Halloween this year. Additionally, the average household spends about $86 on Halloween items. That amount is like a week’s worth of Starbucks or drinks with friends. But Halloween’s popularity has people willing to spend more and more to stand out in the crowd. Will you be spending close to $100 this year?
2. The second largest U.S. commercial holiday is Halloween
Even though many holidays are greeting card holidays, Halloween is considered the second largest U.S. commercial holiday. Just take a look at the many television commercials about Halloween costumes and Halloween candy. If you can find a Halloween costume for under $25, consider yourself fortunate. Even a trip to Goodwill for an inventive costume isn’t going to be cheap.
Even if you don’t have kids who trick or treat, many households feel obligated to buy large amounts of Halloween candy. From the perennial favorite Reese’s Butter Cups to the bags of mixed candy, the sugary treats are unavoidable. Who’s wanting to avoid the office on Nov. 1 when everyone brings in that leftover Halloween candy?
3. The most common demographic celebrating Halloween is teens and young adults 18-34
This Halloween fact is quite surprising. Many people associate Halloween with young kids going door to door trick or treating. But, the teens and young adults spend more money on different Halloween activities. From haunted houses to Halloween parties, this demographic is celebrating all season long.
Halloween is more than just Oct. 31. The Halloween season is getting longer and longer. Haunted houses start their frights in September. Halloween parties are held throughout October and sometimes into the first weekend in November. If you aren’t involved in some type of Halloween event, it is a rarity.
(Photo by Mark Sullivan/Getty Images For Paramount)
4. Superheroes dominate Halloween costumes
According to the National Retail Federation, superhero costumes dominate the top choices. Kids, adults and even pets want to emulate their favorite characters. While I would have assumed Wonder Woman would be a top choice, Batman characters secured top rankings across the categories.
Some of the costume choices have to come from the people buying them. Fido isn’t going to bark once for Batman and no to a ghost. Maybe everyone just wants to feel like a superhero at least for one night. Who wouldn’t want to have a super power? I would happily take some super strength for even just a day.
5. People want and are willing to be paid to be scared
According to Haunted World’s research, people enjoy being scared in a safe environment. Haunted houses are extremely regulated to be safe. While these production companies and actors want to scare you, it is a safe environment.
True, some haunted houses record how many people leave or even have a bodily fluid accident (sorry). But all these experiences aren’t real. Even if the area is supposedly haunted, these people are actors and the sets are make believe. Guests want to experience that fear and terror.
Haunted houses and haunted events are big business. From theme park experiences, like Halloween Horror Nights, to local haunted hayrides, people can find a haunted experience that is appropriate for their own fright tolerance level. But, be realistic. If you don’t want to be scared, don’t enter the scariest haunted house around. It won’t be fun for you or the people with you.
Next: Which city is the Halloween vacation capital?
Halloween is just a few short weeks away. Are you and your wallet ready for this year’s spooky holiday spending? How much will you be spending this year?