It's estimated that Americans purchase around 600 million pounds of candy each year for the fright-filled holiday. As you might have imagined, chocolate and candy corn are the top sellers. In fact, around 20 million pounds of the classic Halloween candy is sold in America each year.
Advertisement
And when it comes to donning a costume and getting in the holiday spirit, a whopping 84 percent of boomers say they play to hand out candy this year, according to the National Confectioners Association. That's not surprising as many of us have happy childhood memories of dressing up and trick-or-treating -- and then having carte blance to eat candy till we got sick.
We asked our Facebook friends what other Halloween traditions they remember fondly from their childhood. Here's what they shared with us:
1. "DIY costumes that were scary or funny, not sexy." -- Lori Day
We're talking glue guns, glitter, accessories from mom's closet -- and using your pillowcase to stash your candy.
2. "Monster Mash." -- Adrianne Jack.
The '60s hit song by Bobby Pickett has been a Halloween favorite for decades, telling the story of a mad scientist whose monster comes to life only to start dancing. Watch it performed on American Bandstand here.
Advertisement
3. "Bobbing for apples." -- Michele Hardie.
Apples (unless they're candied) aren't all that fun on Halloween, but this holiday game sure is. It's harder than it looks.
Zombies, goblins and witches -- all on a huge parade float. It doesn't get any better than that.
6. "Smashing pumpkins." -- Arnold James.
What do you do with your leftover jack-o'-lanterns? Well, if you're a kid, you might have thought it was a fun idea to smash them. OK -- some adults might be getting into the punkin' chunkin' fun, too. Just know that the cleanup isn't as fun.
7. "Candied caramel apples." -- Laurie Anne Wyles.
The worst thing you can throw in a trick-or-treater's bag is magically transformed into a delightful dessert when it's slathered in something sweet. Delicious.
8. "Pillowcases for treat bags." -- Cat Turner.
Decorate or just plain white -- this is the classic way to stash all your gooodies.
9. "Pixy Stix."-- Line Donnelly.
Kids just love this sweet-and-sour candy powder which comes in a straw-like wrapper. Just don't down it all at once.
10. "Trick-or-treating a night early to get extra candy." -- Jamie Greco.
Twice the candy? We're in.
11. "Hershey's chocolate." --John Shurts.
Kisses or bars, there's nothing quite like this deliciously simple, plain, creamy chocolate.
12. "Sixlets." -- Carol Coleman Hardy.
These chocolate-flavored, slightly malty, candy-coated spheres come in a convenient sleeve, making them easy to pop straight into your mouth. They even come in special festive holiday colors.
13. "Roaming the neighborhoods for candy without our parents!" -- Ronnie Kaminski Latimer.
Happy Halloween!
Also on HuffPost:
Family Halloween Costumes
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.