Beech Tree News Network

Halloween is less than a week away, and I am questioning my preparedness. I have purchased candy, but have wondered whether I have enough. I have two Halloween decorations in my house, but will put them away when the holiday has passed, leaving the other fall decorations out for another month. But after reading the Answers.com statement that the “most decorated for” holiday is Halloween (http://www.answers.com/Q/Which_holiday_is_most_decorated_for#slide=2), I’ve decided that I definitely am out of step regarding Halloween décor.

Wondering about the decorating habits of others, I asked friends and family what they have gotten out of storage or purchased for Halloween or as fall decorations. Their responses are listed below:
•    I don’t decorate for Halloween, but I love my fall decorations! I have pumpkins, turkeys and fall garlands several places in the house. I have mums and different types of pumpkins all over my porch, plus a big fall wreath.
•    I just have a fall wreath for the front door.
•    Nothing.
•    I will get some decorations and candy containers, etc., out of storage. I have purchased candy, mums and pumpkins. I also bought a few items for my Sunday School kids and a few special trick-or-treaters.
•    Oh my! I have all kinds of stuff. I made a Halloween wreath this year. I have lots of owls, some mums and straw bales.
•    I have a box that contains all the costumes and trick-or-treat pails from the last 25 years or so. Every year, it’s a stroll down memory lane when the Halloween box comes out with memories of my grown children as young princesses, pirates, vampires, and witches. Some of the costumes have been remade into something else and used again. They have even served as Trunk-or-Treat decorations! We never bought costumes when I was growing up. We just made something out of what we had, and my mother could sew anything. I’m not as crafty as she is so I have resorted to buying costumes over the last few years. I got the box off the shelf this year, but we haven’t unpacked it like all the years before. We bought costumes so there was no searching through the box to find a treasure to use as inspiration for this year. I think it’s time for me to visit the Halloween box!
•    I got my Halloween spirit out. It had been gone for a while. The joy of a grandson has begun to create joy in my life. My joyous spirit had been in storage for a while – almost too long.
•    We have witches, brooms, spell books, signs and a talking skull. And yes, the witch is in!
•    I haven’t gotten very much out for fall. My big time to decorate is Christmas.
•    I made a Halloween wreath and put two metal pumpkin decorations in the front planters. Usually, I do nothing!
•    I purchased a pumpkin-scented candle.
•    I usually go all out, inside and outside. This year, though, I have some acorns and pine cones inside on tables and a few pumpkins and mums on the front porch. That’s it! Pumpkins and mums are a must even if we aren’t going to be home enough this fall to decorate more.
•    I have a fall mantle. I’m decorating because we’re going to have guests.

In an article called “Halloween Spending Statistics, Facts and Trends” (updated October 06, 2016; https://www.thebalance.com/halloween-spending-statistics-facts-and-trend...), Kimberly Amadeo predicted Halloween retail spending would reach a new record: a projected $8.4 billion. People spend their money on Halloween candy (about $25 each), Halloween décor (about $30 each) and costumes (about $32 on average). Interestingly, these Halloween sales statistics are used to predict how well retailers will do in the coming holiday season. Since retail sales is an indicator of consumer demand - what drives the U.S. economy, Amadeo also predicted two other outcomes:
•    Since times are relatively good, voters will be more likely to maintain the status quo, favoring the Democratic Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, in the upcoming election.
•    Since retail sales are a critical component of a healthy economy, record Halloween sales increase the likelihood that interest rates could be raised in December.
I had not made the connection between Halloween spending and the election results or interest rates.

As Halloween nears, my only holiday spending has been for candy. Robert Brault noted, “… there are always more trick-or-treaters than neighborhood kids” (rbrault.blogspot.com; http://www.quotegarden.com/halloween.html). I’m hoping that I purchased enough Halloween candy and that our trick-or-treaters enjoy a very safe Halloween.