Tag: Halloween decorations

Is Halloween America’s Favorite Holiday?

Posted on by Jordank

You may have noticed that #Halloween gets a lot more attention in the United States these days. Even when you factor in the truly American penchant for catering to — and monetizing — people’s interests, the #holiday has seen incredible growth in interest and participation.

Much of this growth is thanks to adults. Nearly half (47%) of U.S. adults named Halloween as their favorite holiday of the year, according to a new report from Ferrero Group, makers of Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, Kinder and numerous other chocolate and candy brands.

“Last year, we identified the emerging ‘Adultoween’ trend, and now we’re seeing it evolve into a full cultural movement,’ says Chad Stubbs, CMO of Ferrero North America. “Adults aren’t just participating in Halloween anymore; they’re truly embracing it as their own holiday.”

The phenomenon isn’t limited to candy consumption. In 2005, half (52%) of adults celebrated Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation; today, that share has grown to 73%. That’s a lot of candy, pumpkins, plastic skeletons and fake spiderwebs — and no less than $2 billion worth of costumes.

Add to that the fact that the “spooky season” is promoted with horror-movie marathons, TV premieres, “haunted” attractions and more, and you have a seasonal economic juggernaut of frightening proportions — one that attracts more enthusiasts every day.

Unfortunately for the Halloween shopper, candy prices have jumped 10.2% since last year, CNN reports, with chocolate products leading the increases due to tariffs and cocoa shortage. That’s forcing many families to cut down on trick-or-treat giveaways or try to save money elsewhere.

You can #economize on #costumes and household #decorations by #shopping the #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org, of course. You can also #donate any lightly used clothing and extras throughout the year. Keep the candy, though.

Happy Halloween to the many millions of aficionados in America! We at The Organizing Blog hope you have a safe, spooky and fun holiday.

Encourage Teens to Celebrate Halloween Safely

Posted on by Jordank

Tweens and teens like to go #trick-or-treating on their own, Nationwide Children’s says. But parents can review a few safety tips to ensure they engage in #Halloween fun safely. Review safe walking routes; remind them to visit only homes where the porch light is on and to never enter a strange house or car. If your child is already driving, ask them to obey traffic safety laws and avoid distractions such as cell phones while driving, avoiding prime trick-or-treating hours when younger, costumed kids may be present. “Children get excited during trick-or-treating and may dart out into the road without looking.”

Make Halloween Less Stressful for Pets

Posted on by Jordank

#Halloween can be stressful for #pets even if no fireworks are involved. Dogs may act upon their natural instinct to protect the home and bark when strangers ring the bell, the Humane Society of the United States says, making trick-or-treating stressful for everyone involved; cats also prefer a quiet environment. Before the #kids start arriving, put pets in a quiet room, and supply them with a treat some soft music. Consider meeting #trick-or-treaters on the porch to minimize doorbell ringing. And keep candy safely stashed and secured — foods such as chocolate, gum and xylitol are toxic to pets.

Practice Safe Decorating for Halloween

Posted on by Jordank

Decorating for #Halloween can be a creative and joyous event. But be aware of fire risks and other #hazards as you prepare to #spook the neighborhood kids, says Travelers Insurance. Walk the property before trick-or-treaters arrive to ensure you haven’t created a tripping hazard with temporary extension cords, for example, and that obstacles are clearly marked. Arrange decorations with traffic flow in mind, and even though darkness is #scarier, make walkways and entryways well-lit. Take care not to overload electrical outlets, and avoid using the use of open flames such as candles — they can easily be kicked over or ignite costume materials.

Keep Kids Safe While Trick-or-Treating

Posted on by Jordank

#Halloween is a magical event for kids, with free candy and dress-up fun. Make sure your trick-or-treaters are safe on the sidewalks and streets, says the National Safety Council. A costume shouldn’t be a safety hazard, so choose costumes, wigs and accessories that are fire-resistant. If #children are going out after dark, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or give them glowsticks. Choose nontoxic makeup instead of masks, which can obscure vision, and remove makeup before bed to prevent eye and skin irritation. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, so have a responsible adult accompany young children on their rounds.