holidays
Why is Halloween starting so much earlier each year? A business professor explains
Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University
Halloween is a fun, scary time for children and adults alike – but why does the holiday seem to start so much earlier every year? Decades ago, when I was young, Halloween was a much smaller affair, and people didn’t start preparing until mid-October. Today, in my neighborhood near where I grew up in Massachusetts, Halloween decorations start appearing in the middle of summer.
What’s changed isn’t just when we celebrate but how: Halloween has evolved from a simple folk tradition to a massive commercial event. As a business school professor who has studied the economics of holidays for years, I’m astounded by how the business of Halloween has grown. And understanding why it’s such big business may help explain why it’s creeping earlier and earlier.
The business of Halloween
Halloween’s roots lie in a Celtic holiday honoring the dead, later adapted by the Catholic Church as a time to remember saints. Today it’s largely a secular celebration – one that gives people from all backgrounds a chance to dress up, engage in fantasy and safely confront their fears.
That broad appeal has fueled explosive growth. The National Retail Federation has surveyed Americans about their Halloween plans each September since 2005. Back then, slightly more than half of Americans said they planned to celebrate. In 2025, nearly three-quarters said they would – a huge jump in 20 years.
And people are planning to shell out more money than ever. Total spending on Halloween is expected to reach a record US$13 billion this year, according to the federation – an almost fourfold increase over the past two decades. Adjusting for inflation and population growth, I found that the average American will spend an expected $38 on Halloween this year – up from just $18 per person back in 2005. That’s a lot of candy corn.
Candy imports show a similar trend. September has long been the key month for the candy trade, with imports about one-fifth higher than during the rest of the year. Back in September 2005, the U.S. imported about $250 million of the sweet stuff. In September 2024, that figure had tripled to about $750 million.
This is part of a larger trend of Halloween becoming a lot more professionalized. For example, when I was a kid, it wasn’t unusual for households to pass out brownies, candied apples and other homemade treats to trick-or-treaters. But because of safety concerns and food allergies, for decades Americans have been warned to stick to mass-produced, individually wrapped candies.
The same shift has happened with costumes. Years ago, many people made their own; today, store-bought costumes dominate — even for pets.
Why Halloween keeps creeping earlier
While there’s no definitive research establishing why Halloween seems to start earlier each year, the increase in spending is one major driver.
Halloween items are seasonal, which means no one wants to buy giant plastic skeletons on Nov. 1. As total spending grows, retailers order more inventory, and the cost of storing ever-larger amounts of unsold items until the next year becomes a bigger consideration.
Once a season’s commercial footprint becomes large enough, retailers begin ordering and displaying merchandise long before it’s actually needed. For example, winter coats start appearing in stores in early fall and are typically gone when the snow starts falling. It’s the same with Halloween: Retailers put out merchandise early to ensure they’re not stuck with unsold goods once the season is over.
They also often price strategically – charging full price when items first hit the shelves, appealing to eager early shoppers, and then marking down prices closer to the holiday. This clears shelves and warehouses, making room for the next upcoming shopping season.
Over the past two decades, Halloween has become an ever-bigger commercial holiday. The growth in people enjoying the holiday and the increase in spending has resulted in Halloween becoming one giant treat for businesses. The big trick for retailers is preventing this holiday from starting before the Fourth of July.
Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
https://stmdailynews.com/%f0%9f%93%9c-who-created-blogging-a-look-back-at-the-birth-of-the-blog/
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Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Easy Ideas for Post-Holiday Organizing
(Family Features) After the last present has been gifted and guests have said their farewells, it’s tempting to settle in for some rest to recuperate from the hectic pace of the holidays. However, if you take time to tidy up after all those good tidings, you can relax with a free conscience. One especially daunting aspect of post-holiday cleanup is the wrapping supplies and decor. Consider these tips to stash your holiday goodies safely away until next year:- Take inventory of your wrapping supplies. Note how many boxes, bags and rolls of paper you have. Affix a note to the container where you store these items to give yourself an idea of what you’ll need so you can start stocking up early for anything you depleted this year.
- Invest in a gift wrap storage container. They come in many shapes and sizes ranging from hard plastic bins that resemble trash cans to soft-sided bags with zippers and plenty of pockets inside. Look for a model that allows for storing the wrapping materials you favor, be it bags, bows or simply paper. After the holidays, many of these items are steeply discounted, providing an opportunity to stock up for next year.
- For your decor, get organized by grouping similar items or collecting all the pieces for a single room. Packing things away with a system in mind can make bringing it all out next year easier and protect your treasured decorations. Remember to label your storage boxes so you know which box contains what next year.
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Stories of Change
The Holiday Spirit Matters But So Does What Happens After
The Holiday Spirit: Holiday generosity is powerful, but community needs don’t end when the decorations come down. Learn practical ways to give back year round—volunteering, donating, sharing skills, and supporting causes you believe in—with help from United Way.
The Holiday Spirit Matters — Why Giving Back Should Last All Year
(Family Features) During the holiday season, many people feel a renewed sense of generosity. It’s a time when communities come alive with food drives, toy collections, volunteer events and donation campaigns – all fueled by the spirit of giving. While this seasonal energy can be powerful, the need it responds to doesn’t fade when the decorations come down. Giving back is not only essential during the holidays; it’s also the foundation of stronger, more resilient communities year round. People in nearly every community face challenges – whether it’s affording holiday presents or meeting basic needs like food, rent and utilities. For many families, current economic strains are forcing them to make tough decisions like sacrificing necessities or depleting savings to create moments of holiday joy.
This is a time to rally support and help neighbors in need. Right now, many community members who didn’t previously need help are seeking support. Acts of generosity large and small help close gaps and strengthen communities. When individuals and businesses give their time, resources and talent, they can help ensure everyone has a fair chance to not only survive but thrive. Communities rely on nonprofit organizations like United Way – one of the oldest and largest organizations committed to tackling local challenges and mobilizing communities to improve lives. With a presence in nearly 99% of communities across the U.S., the organization recognizes the power of giving and relies on seasonal and year-round generosity to deliver food and housing assistance, youth programs, mental health support, disaster recovery and more. This holiday season and beyond, to assist your community consider taking actions such as: Volunteering Offering your time is one way to make a real change in your community while helping build a more resilient future for all. What’s more, research shows the personal benefits of volunteering, such as reduced feelings of isolation, loneliness and risk of depression. Whether it’s a community event, ongoing support or in-person activities, making a difference for others feels good. Donating Sharing your financial resources can play a vital role in helping communities thrive. Your donation can help put food on the table for families in need, support kids who are struggling or provide mental health services to the most vulnerable individuals. Remember, your gift of any size combines with the gifts of others and builds stronger, more resilient communities. Sharing Expertise or Talent Generosity can take many forms. Making a difference isn’t just about time and money; it can also mean sharing skills or knowledge, and even social networks to bolster charitable efforts. Giving back builds a shared sense of responsibility. It reminds people that strong communities don’t happen by accident – they’re created through connection, compassion and collective action. Supporting Causes You Believe In Every community faces their own unique, pressing challenges and almost everyone has a cause that’s close to their hearts. Identify organizations working to advance those causes and make a plan to support them. Find opportunities to support your community this holiday season and make generosity a year-round tradition at unitedway.org/local. Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for VeteransLink: https://stmdailynews.com/nourishing-our-heroes-eight-years-of-impact-at-phoenix-vas-veggies-for-veterans/
Stories of Change: People Making a Difference
Discover inspiring stories of changemakers making a positive impact. Explore videos and articles of people tackling today’s biggest challenges with action and hope. Visit: https://stmdailynews.com/stories-of-change/
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health and wellness
Give the Gift of Recovery
Give the Gift of Recovery… Help fitness enthusiasts keep their New Year’s resolutions with recovery-focused gifts. Discover science-backed compression therapy tools from Mueller Sports Medicine that reduce pain, boost circulation, and accelerate workout recovery.
Last Updated on December 26, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Give the Gift of Recovery
(Family Features) If your holiday gift list features a fitness-minded loved one, finding the perfect present means looking beyond a new water bottle, set of weights or clothes for the gym to help them not give up on resolutions. Because most people who are passionate about their performance know “fitness resolution dropout” happens shortly after the new year, they know recovery is key to staying active, motivated and pain-free.
Recovery doesn’t mean rest, however; it means staying ready for the next round. Over time, exercise can lead to fatigue, pain, swelling and reduced circulation, among other ailments, all of which can affect performance and comfort. That’s where the right recovery gear comes into play. With a rich history of more than 65 years in sports medicine innovation, Mueller Sports Medicine’s extensive line, which includes braces, supports, tape, REVIVE compression therapy tools and more, is designed to help athletes train smarter, recover faster and perform at their peak so you can give a gift that helps loved ones keep their New Year’s fitness resolutions. Consider these science-backed gift ideas that aid workout achievement, aim to enhance circulation, boost the lymphatic system, help reduce pain and speed up recovery from fatigue then visit muellersportsmed.com to find more options that help your recipient do more than just recover. 
Accelerate Recovery to Improve Performance Being prepared for the next workout, rather than physically sore or achy, is key to maintaining motivation day after day. By stimulating the body’s natural circulation with precisely controlled compression, the Mueller RecoveryCare REVIVE M2 Gear Pack – available in small, medium or large – promotes faster recovery before, during and after workouts, walking or just standing on your feet through innovative compression leg sleeves that feature overlapping compression chambers that apply pressure where it’s needed most to remove soreness with what feels like a massage. The durable, portable and lightweight unit is plug-and-play with button operation, simple to clean, powered by 8-hour battery life and backed by a 90-day risk-free trial. 
Fully Customize Recovery Sessions From tracking progress for that joyous feeling of achievement to adjusting pressure levels and duration, athletes can finetune their treatments and keep workout goals on track with the Mueller RecoveryCare REVIVE M4 Gear Pack. Enhanced with Bluetooth technology to track personalized treatments on a mobile device, the console offers five modes and five adjustable time sessions to fully customize recovery sessions, boosting lymphatic fluid movement, increasing circulation and aiding with fracture and soft tissue healing. Available with three leg sleeve sizes, the adjustable system features a heavy-duty handle and easy-to-clean medical grade material, all backed by a risk-free trial and long battery life. Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
STM Daily News is a multifaceted podcast that explores a wide range of topics, from life and consumer issues to the latest in food and beverage trends. Our discussions dive into the realms of science, covering everything from space and Earth to nature, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. We also celebrate the amateur sports scene, highlighting local athletes and events, including our special segment on senior Pickleball, where we report on the latest happenings in this exciting community. With our diverse content, STM Daily News aims to inform, entertain, and engage listeners, providing a comprehensive look at the issues that matter most in our daily lives. https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/
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