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Here's a spooky fact: Halloween's getting more popular. And not just among 12-year-olds.
According to the National Retail Federation's Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, more than 85 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds celebrated the holiday in 2006. Seventy-seven percent of 25- to 34-year-olds and 71 percent of 35- to 44-year-olds also took part in the revelry.
But what does "celebrating" mean on Halloween? Dressing up? Collecting sweets? Getting drunk and egging cars? If you're a college student, the definition changes a little from when you were, say, 10. "I'm definitely going out," said Jonathan Monroy, Class of 2010. He doesn't know what costume he'll wear yet, but intends to "pull something together."
He's not the only one. In 2006, according to NRF, almost 34 percent of Americans dressed up for the holiday, and the same number is predicted for this season.
The startling statistic, though, is how much Americans spent: $5 billion in 2006, compared with almost $3 billion in 2005. The NRF predicts spending for this Halloween will surpass $5.07 billion.
A recent CNBC story quotes NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin as saying the cost of creepiness should give retailers a nice boost in sales as they open the crucial fourth quarter.
"This is the time of year that retailers are at their best, stocking the shelves with new and innovative products to help consumers celebrate in style."
While many college students plan to dress up, the number who plan to do the traditional door-to-door candy demand isn't quite as staggering.
"I don't know if I would go trick-or-treating in North Adams," said Luke Vieira, Class of 2011. "I wouldn't go farther than Blackinton [Street]." Vieira is going all-out with his costume, however - he's dressing up as a keg.
"A 40 [ounce bottle] screws into the hat," Vieira said.
Americans are also dressing up their pets. More than 3.5 million Americans got Fido and Fluffy into costume in 2006. Among the most popular pet costumes last year were devil, bat, and, of course, black cat.
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