Once a pagan event marking the end of the harvest season - and the point at which our world came close to the 'Otherworld' - it is today a global celebration of all things ghoulish.
However, over the past decade or so, it seems to have developed into a major point in the events calendar. The National Retail Federation in the US is predicting that $10.6 billion will be spent around Hallowe’en this year, which is $500m than was spent last year. Looking at the most recent one, a survey by iReach conducted in 2019, and it expected €49m to be spent by Irish consumers on Hallowe’en.So on a per-capita basis, it means spending of just €10 per person – compared to more than $30 per person in America.
So more than half of all people were finding ways to avoid spending big money on a costume - compared to the US expectation of $2.9 billion being spent on costumes this year alone.Definitely – for weeks now most supermarkets have had sizable Hallowe’en displays and Hallowe’en-related products in a prominent position.
Some of that would be made up of your normal, weekly purchases of sweets and chocolates – but the number is always significantly inflated as a result of Hallowe’en. And while Hallowe’en may be very different to what it was 20 years ago, some of the old habits seem to be hanging on too. That includes the many, many Hallowe’en-themed destinations and events that are dotted around the country at this time of year.
Some of the most popular horror films of the past decade relied upon upcoming or less well-known actors, writers and directors. They don’t necessarily need to have lots of expensive CGI, either, and they might be set in fairly simple locations - perhaps even just a house or building.
AdamMaguire It has. The shops are full of plastic tat that ends up in landfill. Great use of planetary resources Will we celebrate Thanksgiving next? Or a different American celebration?
AdamMaguire $VET $YEET VechainHasNFTs