Halloween is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, but it’s celebrated the most in the US. Delta Dental (A non-profit network of independent dental US service corporations) has compiled a list of the top 10 terrifying truths about Halloween:
- Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween each year.
- Major pumpkin-producing states like California, Illinois, New York and Ohio helped America grow 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins in 2010.
- Americans spent nearly $6.9 billion on Halloween costumes, decorations and “entertainment”.
- About 50 percent of Americans decorated their homes or yards, 44 percent dressed in a costume, 34 percent attended a Halloween party and 23 percent visited a haunted house in 2011.
- In 2011, the three most popular costumes worn by children were Harry Potter, princess and Green Lantern. Classic characters like Winnie the Pooh, Elmo and the Smurfs were also among the top 10 favorites. Captain America, Green Lantern and Where’s Waldo were popular costume choices for adults.
- Not everyone gives out candy on Halloween. Other alternatives include toothbrushes, pretzels, fruit (such as raisins), modeling clay and books.
- An estimated 41 million children between the ages of five and 14 went trick-or-treating across the US in 2010.
- North American almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th century give no indication that Halloween was celebrated there.
- Candy corn, a popular treat commonly associated with Halloween, was created in the 1880s and popularized by farmers who appreciated its resemblance to kernels of corn.
- The word “trick” refers to a “threat” to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given.
So, what do you think ?