Preparing Halloween costumes for the kids this week has made me a little nostalgic.
I long for the organic Halloweens of days gone by when communities came together for spooky celebrations. The things that no longer seem acceptable were always the most fun: bobbing for germ ridden apples, gazing into bonfires so fierce the heat made your cheeks pink, and searching for peanuts tossed in piles of leaves.
I'm sure I bore my kids to death with stories from the past.
Despite a convincing argument, they refuse to believe that I used to pull together costumes without buying even a single accessory.
I tell them that before pre-packaged costumes were available from pop-up Halloween stores, my brothers and I would create costumes that followed simple designs compared to what kids wear today. Like a casting call for the world's worst theatre show, our repertoire was full of politically incorrect stereotypes: taxi driver, Pocahontas, cowboy, gypsy, spectacle wearing granny, and pirate.
We would prepare our ensembles in a single afternoon. If we couldn't cobble something together from the dress up box, we'd get out the scissors and glue. Imagination meets recycled arts. My parents never laid a hand on our creations, nor did they shell out a dollar for supplies.
Halloween expenses really only came down to a bowl of apples, a couple of pumpkins to carve, and a box of Wagon Wheels.
Look at us now.
Halloween has become big business for many retailers. According to Statistics Canada $381 million was spent by Canadians on candy, confectionery and snack foods in 2013, exceeded only by the nearly $451 million spent in the month of December for Christmas celebrations. Add to this the dollars spent on decorations, costumes, and entertainment and you realize the full economic impact of Halloween.
I'm willing to bet that this year will be a season of increased spending with Halloween landing on a Friday night. Without school beckoning the morning after, more parties will be held, trick-or-treating will be extended, and the fireworks shows are sure to be outstanding.
While I find it shocking that in a single generation, the culture and intensity of a favourite holiday can undergo such a radical change, it does make some sense. After a long summer, Canadians need to find something to celebrate between Easter and Christmas. Halloween fit the bill perfectly. I also think that secretly, we understated Canadians also secretly need an excuse to play dress up.
There are so many ways for businesses to get into the Halloween spirit.
Encouraging staff to dress up at work with a costume contest is a great way to build morale and celebrate teamwork. Setting up decorations and hosting a goulish lunchtime potluck are also fun. Carve some pumpkins and set out bowl of candy for clients to nosh on at the reception desk.
Just keep in mind that all activities should be tasteful, professional and not interfere with your basic business processes. It is okay to show customers that your business has a sense of humour but that you can still meet the same levels of service that they expect.
Happy Halloween!
