Happy Halloween to all! Whether you are out trick-or-treating or attending a costume party, here are some interesting facts and tidbits about the holiday of Halloween:
1.) In the United States, Illinois produced the most pumpkins with 496 million pounds in 2008.
2.) Every year, there are over 2000 costume stores across the country.
3.) In 2009, the average person spent $56.30 on Halloween; $20.75 on the costume, $17.99 on candy,
$14.54 on decor, and $3.02 on cards.
4.) Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in the United States, debuting in 1896.
5.) The first Halloween was celebrated in 834 as All Hallows Eve.
6.) The most popular costumes in 2009 are the following: The witch for adults, the princess for children,
and the pumpkin for pets.
7.) The most popular activity to do on Halloween is to hand out candy.
8.) Celts in Europe wore costumes and masks to avoid being seen as a human and getting possessed by demons and spirits.
9.) 30-35 million Halloween cards are sent every year, with the most being sent from grandparents to grandchildren.
10.) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is the most favored candy to receive on Halloween, followed by Candy corn and Snickers.
11.) 90% of parents have admitted to stealing and eating some of the candy their children received on Halloween after they go to sleep.
12.) The average American consumes around 24 pounds of candy each year.
13.) If all the candy corn produced each year was lined up end to end, it could circle the moon 4 times.
14.) Halloween is 4th in chocolate sales, behind Easter, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
15.) Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
16.) The colors of Halloween are orange for the fall harvest and black for death.
