We all know that the U.S. economy is in a state that financial experts describe, in technical terms, as "totally in the crapper." But despite that, sales of Halloween costumes and other assorted paraphernalia are on the upswing this year, according to this story in the L.A. Times. 
Several stores in the Los Angeles area report that they are doing robust business, and a few shoppers tell the Times reporter that they plan to spend even more on their '08 All Hallow's acitivities than they did on last year's. ("My investment accounts, I'm
watching it go down and down and down ... So this is an
escape," explained Erich Hamner.)
That's in keeping with a survey by the National Retail Federation, which also projects more spending this year over last and estimates that the average American will spend $66.54 on Halloween.
It's hard to know if these findings are truly representative of a national trend. I am guessing that Halloween spending in, say, some of the harder hit towns in Ohio or western Pennsylvania is not chugging along to the same degree one might find in L.A., Chicago or New York. But the overall theme also dovetails nicely with this item Madeline posted on Wednesday, which indicates some families are not cutting back when it comes to their kids.
If that phenomenon -- wanting to make sure the little ones have a good time -- synchs up with the one mentioned by Hamner -- "I need to escape from my financial woes by dressing up as Batman" -- then Halloween could very well be especially lucrative for those in the costume-and-candy business. But what do you think? Will this be a bigger trick-or-treat day than ever? And how are you and your family handling the holiday this year? Throwing even more cash at it, or trying to be budget-conscious?
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Image: Pumpkin Masters
