It used to be only young whippersnappers that dressed up for Halloween and ran around the neighborhood scaring up candy… or, in our ‘hood, sharing their love of egg throwing and creative toilet paper decorating. But while all those little ghosts and goblins have grown up, they’ve kept their costumes - over two-thirds of us plan to celebrate Halloween, and we’ll spend almost $60 each – that’s a lot of fake teeth and scary lawn ornaments. But, have you noticed some decidedly un-Halloween like elevator music at your local mall recently? In the past the bewitching hallows’ eve has been off limits to a certain costumed character… the one who wears boots and a suit of red, with a long cap on his head, who’s got a big red cherry nose, and laughs this way... HO, HO, HO! Yes… must be the increasingly impatient Santa, who’s quickly becoming a rude Halloween party crasher. In recent years, most of the mammoth retailers – Walmart, Costco, Target, Sears – have been putting their Christmas merchandise alongside their Halloween baubles. It’s called ‘Christmas creep’ and it’s sucking the life and dollars out of those poor Thanksgiving pilgrims and turkeys. According to the National Retail Federation, 40% of consumers will begin buying Xmas items before they even light their jack o’ lantern. Finally, I think I know who I’ll dress up as this year. Just have to find my santa hat, fangs and pickup up some fake blood…
