The Scary and Fierce Business of Halloween
Our 570 Insider survey takes a look at Halloween this week..
This is big business here in Canada, pretty much second to Christmas in terms of spending.
The Retail Council of Canada figures that 1.15 billion is spent on pumpkins, costumes, candy and decorations.
The council says we’ll each spend just under 60 bucks getting scary.
Men are the big spenders - they’re expected to spend an average of 72 dollars this year…
We don’t go that far at our place.. but I admit the pressure to be “Martha” factors in.
Our one neighbour has already taunted us… Mary Jane across the street is already promising bigger and better this year in terms of what lands on her lawn.. and lights up her place.
Our neighbourhood gets competitive in the goody department too. We learned that the hard way our first year. Some neighbours hand out the real stuff.. from a local and yummy chocolate shop..
Grandma-next-door lights up her gazebo, has hot chocolate and coffee going… and rice crispies and homemade cookies ready with her handouts.
Our neighbours around the corner hire local students to hide behind trees with chain saws a-buzzing… as kids slowly make their way up the dark laneway!
On the costume front: I am not my mother.. I did not devote two weekends to sew and glue the kids outfits. I went to the store like many other parents.. and after much debate with two boys.. they have their outfits.
Our four year old is going as.. as he says an “army guy”..
I prefer Canadian peacemaker.. given my army brat background!
I’ve ditched the plastic grenade that came with it. ( Hello! What were they thinking? ) We’ve added his dog tag souvenirs from our trip to La Citadel this summer.. and a poppy too.
Our oldest.. now ten.. will go scary. I’ve fought it for years but finally gave in. He’ll wear the Scream mask, blood and all. For school that day..he’ll tone it down and wear the “Nacho Libre” wrestling mask and cape.
Me? Don’t know yet.
Get ready Mary Jane!
lisa