Halloween Declining???

[Halloween4Ever]

It seems to me that Halloween popularity in my area is decling every year. Meaning that there are less people decorating than used to, less trick or treaters, and less people at home to pass out candy; even on tv there are nowhere near the amount of horror movies on in October than used to be and I just have the overall feeling that Halloween doesn't mean as much to people as it used to, although this is not the case for me, because I can't get enough of Halloween! Does any one else feel the same way? What do you think is causing this? Your thoughts??

[Pumpkin_Man]

On the one hand, I have noticed fewer tv comercials geared to Halloween, and yester they actualy had two Christmas oriented comercials on. I also notice that more and more communities are strictly limiting the numbers kids can go 'trick or treat ing" and some of them have a ban on it. On the other hand, it seems that the decorations are geting more elaborate, and popular every year. The History Channel aired a special about Halloween yesterday, too. According to their stats, Halloween is 2nd only Christmas in terms of money spent on candy, greeting cards and decorations to put up outside and inside the house. That means that Halloween is beating out both Halloween and Easter in popularity.

Mike

[Haunt Master]

Sorry to hear about this.... As, for me, I have many tot-ers every year on Halloween. I have many haunted houses around here in Norfolk, VA and Virginia Beach too. All we have to do is advertise and announce about HALLOWEEN and HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS every year. Also, post on all halloween and horror message boards to let others know where and when.

Post the advertisement and announcement is the best way to do so.

[Pumpkin King]

A lot of parent's dont approve of trick or treating anymore. Just because of all the strangers who kidnap kids and put poison in their candy. Growing up, Halloween was NEVER like that. People wouldn't kidnap you or poison you. But these days it's a growing concern.

[Rising Dead Man]

I have noticed that too. For the last few years when I go trick or treating there have been less houses decorated. In the neighborhood I go to trick or treat they used to always have strobe lights, decorations and scary sounds. Now only a few houses do that. I hope it's better this year.

[DemonSlayerMau]

I would have to agree, Halloween decorations aren't as great this year, you can't find good quality cat ears anymore (the ones they have now resemble mouse ears IMO), and to top it off...I've always wanted to check out the Haunted Halls of Horror (or whatever it's called) but it looks like the auto parts store that hosts it isn't going to have it this year. I never had a chance to check it out because it costs money to go, and back then I didn't have the time or money to do it! It looks like the parts store itself went out of buisiness...the admission was supposed to go toward charity.
At the very least, Burger King is selling their halloween themed coupons for a dollar donation. Usually it's a booklet of free small fries, this year they have free fries, cookies, an icee and other coupons you can get. They have pumpkins on the coupons, and they are popular to give out at Trick or Treating (sorry, I rather spell it out because I feel "ToTing" doesn't give the name "Trick or Treating" justice, no offense meant XP) as kids generally like french fries, and the donations go toward charity.

[OctoberChill]

On one hand I've definitely seen a decline in TV advertisements and whatnot. But I've been to 3 haunted houses this year, about 5 Halloween stores not to mention Wal-Mart, Party City, etc. and they've all been PACKED. Even driving around I still see a big amount of decorated houses. And I mean all out decorations.

As far as trick or treating goes I'm not too sure. I don't have kids and don't live in a house so I don't know how much that's declined. But as far as everything else goes it seems in full swing as usual.

[Halloween4Ever]

One thing I've noticed is that more and more churches and communities, etc. are having fall festivals, trunk and treat, etc. that are taking away from the conventional trick or treat activities. This probably plays a big role in what is happening to trick or treating. There definitely is alot less on tv pertaining to halloween this year. The family and I always looked forward to the Halloween disney channel movies, AMC horrorfest, etc, They used to play them almost all month long but not this year. I have noticed this decline for the last few years, but it has really dropped off this year. They have started to play more in the last week, but I remeber when they played them all month long. I also have noticed that stores have put out their christmas stock earlier than normal this year. This is obviously a plan to get people start spending Christmas shopping money earlier to make up for a slumping economy.

[theicewitch]

I live in a small community, I still log big numbers or ToTs, we have a scare crow festival and I make sure my house is a part of that too, the number of houses decorating is slowly growing since I started back in 99. I have noticed that the tv shows aren't having the elaborate halloween episodes, I do miss the commercials, though craftsman has a nice one with a skeleton made of tools.

It is sad that it seems to be being pushed out though by fall festivals and harvest parties. I do my best to keep Halloween in the forefront of my community. I am on the main drag and do it up right so it is there for every child on the school bus and every adult driving to work. People stop and take pictures so I know they still appreciate the effort.

[Morticia]

You know I would say the same thing, but compared to when I was growing up in the early seventies it practically doesn't exist anymore as far as trick or treating. I remember when it was an oddity to see a house that didn't at least have a pumpkin if not more and even odder to have someone not home or passing out candy. HOWEVER, when I went to the Halloween store at the mall this year it was bigger and more crowded than ever, so...who knows. I'm still going to enjoy the night even if we only get one trick or treater.

[Pumpkin_Man]

I get quite a few ToTers, but the time that you can ToT in my town is limited, and as HauntMaster pointed out, a lot of parents are afraid.

I hate to say it, but I do think that ToT may become a thing of the past within our life times, but will be replaced with parties, parades and other activities that are more closely supervised by parents.

Other holidays, on the other hand, have declined over the years. I remember when they use to have special observations at school for patriotic holidays like Columbus Day, and Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays. Today you don't even hear about them. Easter, likewise, has declined a lot over the years.

Mike

[Andybev01]

Yeah; a friend at work is taking her little one to the mall for TOTing, that just breaks my heart.

I cherish my memories of roaming the dark streets in packs or on my own, with the only caveat of 'don't eat all of your candy tonight'.

*sigh*

[california ghoul]

When I was younger (late 80's early 90s) there were so many kids both TOT'ing and at the stores buying costumes and almost every house had at the least a pumpkin. I just got back from Party City and although the line was long it was NOTHING compared to the lines when I was a kid. I guess it has a lot to do with inflation over the years. Although I have to say, I've noticed a downward trend in X-mas too, I remember a lot more people decorating back in the day for this holiday as well.

[von_owen]

maybe there are other and more important things to get into... Like the financial crisis and other stuffs... saving every bucks they have than spending it through costumes and decorations.... yes you are right.... its in the news that parents are now really afraid of some candies being given to their children.... some candies contained melamine that could really endanger the health of their kids when eaten....

Though I agree that we must keep this culture alive but I think most people are now becoming practical... we can't blame them also

[kirala05]

Last year i had about 200 to 250 ToTers, luckily for me it seems the neighbors are more into the spirit. My Grumpy old neighbor actually carved a pumpkin