Life was much simpler growing up on that old familiar street not so far away called Flamingo. I should know — I was there.
Normally, I don’t complain much about anything (The Wife still laughs at that line), but when it comes to modern Halloween celebrations, I must make an exception.
Some folks have forgotten what the night is actually about: little kids dressed up in scary or not-so-scary costumes, walking around the neighborhood knocking on doors asking for candy.
Halloween has gotten way out of control
The giant hardware stores with the orange or blue roofs must be making a profit; I know that. But if they haven’t made enough selling lawn equipment during the spring and summer, their fall plan seems to be selling ten-foot glow-in-the-dark skeletons. This year, the giant skeleton has been joined by a fifteen-foot Grim Reaper.
Halloween has become really expensive
Question: who would spend hundreds of dollars on a giant skeleton or Grim Reaper to display proudly on their front lawn? Answer: apparently lots of folks, because some stores are already sold out of the scary duo. Yes, back on Flamingo, it was a much simpler — and apparently a whole lot cheaper — time for adults decorating their lawns.
The Halloween equation
The Halloween equation: Today’s Halloween obligations plus the expectation of lawn decorations equals a hefty amount spent for just one night of scary fun — not so back on Flamingo.
As kids, we were happy spreading the impossible-to-spread white spider webbing across our bushes. We spent weeks making spooky ghosts and skeletons to hang from low tree limbs. One year, we constructed a zip line so a ghost could “fly” down the driveway chasing kids.
And yes, we even dug a “bottomless pit” — it was really only two feet deep, but we still had a sign pointing to it claiming it was bottomless.
A couple of years ago, you could buy a device that projected scary scenery onto the front of your house. I should know; I bought one. Now even that feels outdated.
Look! Lights!
The latest Halloween lawn light show projects lifelike 3-D images right onto your front lawn. You can walk around them, even reach out to touch what you think is a ghost, Frankenstein, or mummy. And for only $1,000, it could be yours!
Want to show a movie on your large front window? Project it from inside with a device — only $350. See? Halloween is getting way out of control expensive.
Costumes? Whether it was a sheet with holes, a burlap bag stuffed with straw, or a black T-shirt with white bones painted on it, the cost of Halloween costumes back on Flamingo Street was a lot cheaper than today.
Find any superhero, monster, or Barbie costume under $50, and I’d be surprised. After shopping for what to wear, if you have any money left, you need to stock up on candy. That’s where prices get really scary.
Candy prices have gone up over 25% in just the last four years! Yet, over 96% of us will go out and buy candy just to give it all away. (If I’m being honest, not all of it will be given away at our house.) The Wife and I will give out candy to anyone who rings our doorbell before 8:30, but not a minute later. Then we switch off the outside lights, clean up inside, and relax.
Looking back through years of October photos, I find pictures of our two granddaughters going trick-or-treating for the first time. Little One went alone that first year, dressed as a baby ladybug. The very next year, she was joined by her new sister, Sweet Caroline, who also wore that same ladybug costume. The costume was $35, and the memory was worth every penny.
So, to those who want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on Halloween decorations and costumes? I say, spend the money; it’s a good investment. Just like our little ladybugs, the memories will be priceless, and only increase in value over the coming years.
[Rick Ryckeley has been writing stories weekly in The Citizen since 2001.]
