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$86.27 per person on
decorations, fun-size candy
bars, and costumes. 1
Spooky, Yet Profitable

Store-bought costumes have long
been part of Halloween’s financial
story. As far back as the 1920s, This Year Might Be
manufactured costumes featured all Different
the latest pop culture characters, but it
took the post-World War II economy to While 2019 represented a big “treat”
churn out mass production, and more for retailers and manufacturers, one
importantly, make them affordable. thing is unavoidable: as a holiday, watching spooky movies, or telling
In the 1950s, one of these costumes Halloween doesn’t exactly lend itself to ghost stories in the backyard. Popcorn
cost about $3 (roughly equivalent to social distancing. ball, anyone?
$12 in today’s money). Nowadays,
manufactured costumes are a little Whether you’re passing out candy or Technology can support your
more detailed than the simple mask- walking your pumpkin-dressed pug celebrations too. Videoconferencing
and-smock style of years past. They’re to the parade, traditional Halloween with friends and grandparents can let
also more expensive, ranging into the celebrations have had us in close children safely show off their costumes.
hundreds of dollars (for both humans proximity to others, a no-no during If you’re working remotely, it may even
and pets alike). 1,3 this germ-conscious era. Fortunately, be a way for you to do something goofy
with a little adaptation, the Halloween and fun for your daily work meetings.
Seasonal treats turn an even larger activities we’ve become accustomed to
profit. When safety concerns about can still be enjoyed. For those who observe, what matters
homemade confections began to arise, isn’t how much candy you eat or what
bags of prepackaged candy became For example, online shopping for you spend on your costume (or your
popular, as they allowed parents to costumes and supplies is a snap. By cat’s), but who you share it with and
more easily check for tampering. coordinating with your neighborhood, how much fun you have together.
How much would you guess that you might be able to trick-or-treat by Here’s wishing you a safe and happy
Americans spent on Halloween sweets appointment, with neighbors leaving Halloween.
last year? Hold on to your candy corn: individual treat bags at the door
the number is $2.6 billion. That’s with and viewing children’s costumes 1. CNN.com, June 13, 2013
a “B,” as in “Boo.” Coincidentally, through a window. It might also be 2. MarketWatch.com, October 22, 2019
dentists make upwards of $220,000 an opportunity to start new traditions 3. Slate.com, October 31, 2013
per year. Mention that to the kids on by looking to those older practices of 4. CandyIndustry.com, September 30, 2019
November 1st. 4,5 yesterday, like making your own treats, 5. Salary.com, 2020

2020 FALL MAGAZINE | 13