Halloween used to be one of those fringe holidays. The kids went trick-or-treating; maybe there was a party at school. If you grew pumpkins you carved a jack-o'-lantern. But it was sort of a one-day affair.
Not anymore. Halloween has become big business - largely due to the growing adult interest in the holiday. "Adults are embracing this once `for kids only' occasion in record numbers," says Steve Beall, a spokesman for American Greetings. Industry reports estimate that $400 million will be spent on Halloween this year. The lion's share will go toward candy, but between $60 million and $70 million will be spent on decorations and party accessories."Halloween is the second most decorated holiday after Christmas," says Beall. "About 50 percent of all Americans will decorate their homes this Halloween." And, he says, adult costume parties are one of the fastest growing Halloween trends - approximately one-third of American adults will get dressed up or attend some kind of costume party this year. (Halloween is the third most popular adult party occasion; New Year's Eve is first, followed by the Super Bowl.)
COSTUMES
Costumes aren't just for kids anymore. But, where kids (or their parents) often make their own costumes, a goodly number of adults buy or rent theirs, says the National Costumers Association. Adult baby boomers account for more than 80 percent of all Halloween costume rentals and more than 65 percent of all costume sales in the U.S., says the association.
And what is most popular among adults this year? As is true every four years when Election Day comes close on the heels of Halloween, politics is of prime interest. But not just any politicians will do. More popular than contemporary candidates, are a couple of former ones. Masks bearing the likeness of former President Richard Nixon account for 50 percent of presidential masks sold at Halloween. Ronald Reagan follows at a distant second with 20 percent.
A folklore expert at Bowling Green University, Jack Santino, says the popularity of Nixon masks isn't all that surprising. "The creatures most traditionally associated with Halloween, such as ghosts and witches, are all marginal tricksters. Nixon will be remembered by many as the classic political trickster."
And, he adds, Halloween is a time when Americans like to openly poke fun of politicians. "Halloween provides a public voice that comments on the political activities surrounding it. . . . We remind ourselves that our politicians are as human in their foibles as the rest of us."
According to the National Costumers group, costume shops throughout the United States traditionally see an average increase of 20 percent in business at Halloween in election years. "People sense that things may be getting better and they celebrate with Halloween parties," says Dwayne Ibsen, association spokesman.
The young set seems to worry less about making political statements and more about letting their imaginations run wild. A survey by Mars Inc. (the candy guys) found that the top costume choices for children this year are: witch, vampire, ghost, princess and clown. Of real people kids would like to dress up like, Elvis topped the list, followed by George Washington, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan.
Power Rangers are fading in popularity. While 70 percent of parents think their children want to be Power Rangers this year, this choice ranks fairly well down the kids' list.
According to the survey, almost 83 percent of the children say they select their own costume. About 60 percent go out in something made by parents, while a third buy their costumes ready-made. Some 46 percent of parents say they spend three hours or more making their children's Halloween get-up.
If you are still in a dilemma about costume ideas, the American Home Sewing & Craft Association offers some last-minute tips:
- Recycle. You can easily shorten a costume worn last year by an older brother or sister with iron-on hemming tape. Transform an old bridesmaid's or prom dress by adding glitzy touches using paints, fabric glues and iron-on bonding web.
- Oversize adult sweatshirts are perfect for cool Halloween evenings. Pair with leggings and turn them into instant costumes with embellishments and masks. Add mouse-ears on a headband, for example, or sew on a tail.
- Easy-to-sew capes can be turned into a variety of personalities. Trim an orange cape with jack-o'-lantern eyes and mouth. Trim a black cape in silver for a magician or a witch. Contrast a red or gold cape with blue sweats for a superhero look.
- The retro-'50s look is easy to achieve with felt poodle skirts. Use elastic for easy fitting.
- Sandwich boards trimmed with paint, fabric and trimmings can be transformed into playing cards, fruits, boxes of cereal and dollar bills.
- Instant masks can be made by popping lenses from old sunglasses and decorating rims with feathers, glitter and rhinestones.
And if you are doing some fancy makeup, Mars offers these suggestions:
- Cornstarch can be used as powder to set makeup instead of expensive face powder.
- You can make warts and other facial distortions by applying layers of tissue soaked in corn syrup to the skin (like papier mache). Allow time for the corn syrup to dry between applications.
- For a sparkly finish to a princess, dot corn syrup onto the child's face and stick on silver food cake decorations.
CANDY
According to the M&M's HalloweenScene Survey, trick-or-treating is a big part of the holiday. Some interesting results:
- More than three-fourths of parents and children go trick-or-treating door to door on Halloween night.
- For kids, the start of a successful Halloween is a pillow case. Almost one-fourth say that is the preferred method of collecting (the plastic pumpkin is too puny, they say). Other options include a paper sack or a trash bag.
- The real action doesn't start until the kids come home. More than nine in 10 say they sort through their candy; 64 percent place it in "good" and "bad" piles. Then the trading begins; 76 percent admit to entering candy-swap negotiations.
- Only a third of children surveyed say they hide their candy once they get home. For those who do, the most frequently mentioned hiding place is under the bed (19 percent) and in the closet (16 percent). Other hiding placed include a drawer, dresser and cupboard. This is to keep away the 57 percent of people who have been caught sneaking candy that wasn't theirs.
- No time like the present: 72 percent say they eat at least some of their candy right away; nearly half eat more than five pieces. However, just over a third have candy for a month or more, but very few have any six months later.
- Which goes first, the "good" or "bad" candy? Half the kids say they mix it up, while a fourth eat the good pieces first and the other fourth eat the ones they don't like first.
CARE
Halloween can be a fun-filled time, but it is also a time to take some extra care. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Check that costumes are flame-retardant so little ones aren't in danger near jack-o'-lanterns and candles.
- Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and other bumps in the night.
- If you use masks, look for ample eye, nose and mouth openings. Eye holes need to be large enough so little goblins can look clearly in all directions without any obstacles to their vision. Or, try make-up instead of a mask. Use washable face paints to create an original look.
- Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
- Tailor the trick-or-treat time to the age of your kids. For very young children, it's always best to go in the afternoon or early evening. Seek out well-lighted streets and homes.
- Trick-or-treaters should always be in groups so they aren't a tempting target for real-life goblins. Parents should accompany young children. Older kids can go with friends, but map out a safe route so parents will know where they will be. Stop only at familiar homes where outside lights are on.
- Make sure older kids have pocket change in case they wander off the pre-arranged route or simply lose their way. That way they can call to be picked up.
- Instruct kids to not eat anything before bringing it home to check. Help remove the temptation by giving them a snack beforehand or taking along treats they can eat on the way.
- Be aware that sometimes dressing up in costumes coupled with the excitement of Halloween can bring out aggressive behavior. Even fake knives, swords, guns and other costume accessories can hurt people. If these objects are part of your child's costume, make sure they are made from cardboard or other flexible materials. Or, challenge kids to come up with ways to be scary without "weapons."
- Remember pets on Halloween night. Keep them inside if possible, and if they are people-shy consider keeping them in a room away from the flow of trick-or-treaters. Don't share any candy or treats, especially chocolate, with animals.