#512 tricked into treats

When did Halloween become such a big deal?  I feel like I am the only one in the neighborhood who hasn't "decorated" for Halloween.  Houses have giant blow up decorations that used to be reserved for Christmas but now feature black cats, pumpkins and vampires.  Roof lines and windows are framed with black, orange and purple strings of light.  There are decorations in the yards, windows, driveways and porches.  Our town even had a Halloween parade.

Forbes estimates that Americans will spend $6.9 billion on Halloween costumes, decorations and candy this year!  It is the fourth largest holiday in terms of spending.  Adult costumes contribute $1.22 billion in sales, children's costumes $1.04 billion and the poor, poor pets are subjected to $330 million in costumes.  Candy contributes another $2 billion and nearly that amount is spent on decorations.

The amount I will spend on my costume:  $2 (I found some cute little pumpkin earrings).  Add in about $6 for candy, $8 for two pumpkins and I am done.  Is there a Halloween equivalent for Scrooge?  

As you do your errands this weekend, don't get caught up in the frenzy.  Use your creativity and make your own costume.  Buy a modest amount of candy.  Carve a real pumpkin.  Let Mother Nature add the color for you.  Bob for some apples at home.  Just because a holiday for kids has gone commercial, doesn't mean you need to be bitten by the Halloween spending vampire as well.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  Halloween Spending by the Numbers by Steve Cooper, Forbes.com, 10/22/13