According to a survey 62.1% of consumers are planning to celebrate Halloween this year.
That is down from 64.5% from last year. Consumers are cutting back almost one third this year; do to the economy. The average spent on costumes, $20.75, on candy, $17.99, on decorations, $14.95 and $3.02 on greeting cards. The total spending for the holiday is expected to still be 4.75 billion.
Budget trends for this year - reuse decorations from previous year, buy less candy and reuse costumes.
The candy is the real thing!! 52% of Americans will hand out chocolate, 30% lollipops and hard candy, 19% chewy or gummi candy, 16% chewy or bubble gum, and 14% caramel treats.
It wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-tre
ating, so some type of costume is a must, along with the sweet treats.
- Only 26% of homes give out a full sized candy bar. Fun-sized Snickers bars are the most popular Halloween candy.
- 93% of kids go trick-or-treating
- Austin, Charlotte and San Antonio lead the US in Halloween spending on candy and decorations; about $53.00 per household. Cincinnati spends the least, $35.00.
- Halloween is responsible for 3/4 of candy corn’s annual sales. Nearly 9 million pieces of candy corn are produced annually. October 30th is National Candy Corn Day.
- For a Tootsie Roll Pop it takes an average of 252 licks to get to the center.
October is National Caramel Apple Month.
A caramel apple is not just a healthy snack (with a stick) dipped in liquid caramel and allowed to cool and harden.
A caramel apple can be a delicious, wonderful dessert. A sweet treat ready to share, with the varieties of coverings being endless.
All caramel apples start with a crisp, fresh apple, usually a Granny Smith drenched in rich, buttery caramel. But why stop there; add nuts, crispy cereal, peanut butter, candies, marshmallows, graham crackers, candy bars, cookies, chocolate chips, and always fresh, creamy, melted gourmet chocolate.
Caramel apples are called by many names: caramel apples, taffy apples, chocolate apples, candy apples, carmel apples, or candied apples, gourmet apples, dessert apples.
Whatever the name or combination they are a sweet crunchy treat that is perfectly caramelicious, and is always better with chocolate.
Survivors who ate chocolate two or more times a week cut their risk of dying from a heart disease – about three times over those who abstained from eating chocolate.
Research has shown a strong link between cocoa-based sweets and a lower blood pressure of an improved blood flow. Specifically chocolate not sweets in general.
In looking for healthier desserts consider chocolates in small quantities. Enjoy!!!
Affordable luxuries are non-necessities, purchased by trimming the budget elsewhere. Chocolate is an affordable luxury. It represents a way you can live the good life on a budget.
People are not buying the whole candy store - just a pound or a small box.
They treat it as a privilege, to help get them by. They deserve it, and it makes them feel special and worth while. It will lift up their day and spirit.
Chocolate will always make you smile, and feel good. And remember it is good for you.
