Here are some interesting tidbits about the holiday.
In parts of Mexico, rather than saying the Spanish equivalent of “trick or treat”, “dulce o travesura” (literally “candy or mischief”), it is common to say ¿Me da mi calaverita? (“Can you give me my little skull?”)
During Samuin, it was also traditional to leave a place and food at the table for deceased loved ones temporarily returned from the grave.
The word Halloween originally came from the Middle English ‘Alholowmesse’, meaning “All Saints’ Day”. The night before Alholowmesse was called “All Hallows Even (evening)” which was eventually shortened to “Hallowe’en” until it just became “Halloween” in the 20th century.
In North America about $3 billion is spent on Halloween costumes.
Haunted house attractions bring in about half a billion dollars annually.
Halloween candy sales average around $2 billion per year in the United States. Chocolate candy bars are consistently rated as the #1 treat to get, with the Snickers candy bar being most preferred. In addition, Reese’s peanut butter cups and candy corn are among the most sold Halloween candy items.
Over 35 million Halloween cards, worth $100 million are given every year.
Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday world-wide after Christmas.
Recently “Trunk or Treat,” where many people will gather in a parking lot with their trunks open and the children will walk from car to car to get their treats from the trunks. This is purported to be a safer way to do trick or treating than having kids go door to door.