Trick or Treat

A record number of people are expected to celebrate Halloween this year, and a record amount of money will be spent to mark the holiday. The 2012 Halloween consumer spending survey from the National Retail Federation predicts that 170 million people will spend a total of $8 billion. Both are highs in the ten year history of the survey, and the 2011 total spending was $6.86 billion.

“By the time Halloween rolls around each year it’s safe to say Americans have already spent two months preparing for one of the fastest-growing and most widely-loved holidays of the year,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. The average person is predicted to spend $79.82 on costumes, candy and decorations. Spending on costumes was $28.65, up two dollars from the previous year.

Trick-or-treating is a customary practice for children on Halloween in many countries. Children in costumes visit houses in the neighborhood on a quest for treats (most likely with the chant/question "Trick or treat?" The "trick" is an idle threat (usually) to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In North America, trick or treat has been a customary Halloween tradition since at least the late 1950s. Homeowners wishing to participate in it usually decorate their private entrance with artificial spider webs, plastic skeletons and jack-o-lanterns. Some rather reluctant homeowners would simply leave the candy in bowls on the porch, others might be more participative and would even ask an effort from the children in order to provide them with candy.

Wishing every family in the towns and neighborhoods surrounding the St. Louis Region and around the country a happy and safe Halloween.