Halloween 2023: Are Adults Over It?
As Halloween approaches, a new Yahoo/YouGov poll reveals that most U.S. adults won’t be putting on costumes this year. The poll shows that only 22% of adults plan to dress up for the spooky holiday, while a whopping 63% have chosen to skip it entirely. Another 14% are still undecided.
But why are adults losing interest in Halloween? According to Dr. Shainna Ali, a mental health counselor and educator, people’s feelings about Halloween can often be a reflection of deeper issues. Factors like upbringing, religious beliefs, and financial constraints can all play a role in how someone values Halloween.
For example, some adults may not have fond memories of Halloween due to childhood triggers. Marty Spargo, a coffee blogger, was never allowed to celebrate Halloween growing up because of his family’s Christian beliefs. However, he would sneak out with his friends to go trick-or-treating anyway.
Writer Suzanne Hayes also has a distaste for Halloween, as it made her feel inferior compared to her more privileged friends in her neighborhood. Childhood experiences like these can shape adults’ attitudes towards the holiday.
Furthermore, this year’s Halloween may be particularly challenging for adults who find it difficult to have fun while the world is full of tragedies, such as the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Ali suggests that wearing costumes can provide a form of healing and self-expression for adults.
DIY Ideas for the Cynics
According to the Yahoo/YouGov poll, 7% of adults plan to make their costumes themselves this year, while 8% will buy theirs from a store. Additionally, 2% are having someone else make their outfit, 2% are reusing a costume from previous years, and 3% are still undecided.
Mom lifestyle expert Veena Goel Crownholm acknowledges that Halloween can be expensive, especially with recent inflation. To combat this, she recommends DIY costumes as a budget-friendly option. By using items they already own, adults can get creative and make their own unique costumes.
Spirit Halloween, the premier costume store, suggests that classic looks are always popular choices. From timeless horror films to general favorites like devils, vampires, and witches, there’s something for everyone. They’ve also seen a surge in popularity for Barbie costumes, both from the new movie and classic looks like the Ken Box Costume.
Dressing up as beloved pop culture figures allows adults to tap into their Halloween spirit and bring their favorite characters to life. It’s all about the fun and creativity of creating a costume, regardless of the end result.
What If You Hate Halloween?
For those who aren’t fans of Halloween but have family members or partners who love the holiday, Dr. Ali suggests finding a balance between appreciating their differences and respecting personal boundaries. It’s important to communicate openly about feelings and find compromises that work for both parties.
Despite some adults opting out, Halloween is still expected to see record-breaking spending this year, with a projected $12.2 billion compared to $10.6 billion the previous year. A record 73% of Americans are also believed to be participating in Halloween-related activities, such as handing out candy, attending parties, or decorating their homes.
The Yahoo Entertainment survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,675 U.S. adults interviewed online from Oct. 12 to 16, 2023. The sample was weighted according to various demographic factors, and the margin of error is approximately 2.7%.
