WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Halloween is no longer just for kids.

The night celebrating ghosts, goblins and trick-or-treating has turned into a $5 billion industry that lures adults as well as children.

“Adults are more into it than kids,” said Ishu Khoob, store manager of Masters Costumes in Woodbridge.

Consumers are expected to spend $5.07 billion celebrating Halloween this year, compared with $4.96 billion last year, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

The average person plans to spend $64.82 on such items as costumes, candy and decorations, about 10 percent more than the $59.06 estimated for last year.

“It has become more of a season compared to just a single day ... and young adults and adults are celebrating more,” said Kathy Grannis, the trade group’s spokeswoman. “The costumes are more individual and creative,” and there is a separate market for adult costumes.

And more retailers are selling merchandise, Grannis said.

But more competition means independent specialty shops are having a more difficult time.

“Five or 10 years ago, [Halloween retail] was better,” said Beth Lehnert, manager of the Chocolate Moose in downtown Washington, which sells decorations, adult costumes and makeup.

“More people are moving to the suburbs and shopping out there,” at large retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target, she said.

Because Oct. 31 falls on a Wednesday, children don’t “come into the picture” until Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this year, said Khoob, who said sales at the year-round costume shop are about the same as last year.

Sales are “unbelievable” when the holiday is on a Friday or Saturday, Lehnert said.

wblake@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

8:30 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007 re: "Council: Don�t drop Halloween"

Irony said:
Saw what? I think you're misinterpreting Christianity with Islam. Haven't seen many Christians beheading "infidels" lately.

4 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

10:45 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
Holloween is not being attacked by by the PC Lefties. It is the Christian Right who find it offensive. If you want to find out who the protected classes are in this country, try saying something about Christians and their irrational beliefs based on scripture. Anyone brave enough to to state that Christian faith is delusional would be burned at the stake.

6 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:36 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Kelkyen said:
I'd like to point out the error of those who think the loss of Halloween is due to the non-religious or other bleeding hearts. From Wikipedia ---> Some consider Halloween to be completely incompatible with the Christian faith due to its origin as a Pagan "festival of the dead."

5 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:11 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
We can thank the ACLU and the bleeding hearts for this. Just look what they have done to Christmas for cryin' out loud. Total ignorance.

14 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:02 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
Watch out thanksgiving is next because it involves Religion and a bunch of white people dressed in silly outfits....

10 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:37 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Dale said:
Ok this is about the most rediculous thing I've heard. Heaven forbid (oh wait, can't say that b/c it might be construed as religion) anyone be offended by anything. Halloween is a time for kids to dress up and celebrate being children, fun for families regardless of background because there is no presumption of religion. How do you not celebrate? Exactly how did they determine that less than 10% of the students celebrate the holiday? They send out surveys to 2nd graders? I live up the street and am adding this to the numerous reasons for me moving out of state, right below being taxed to death by Governor tax alot Omalley...REDICULOUS

8 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:14 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Runnin' for the Back Door said:
Hmm, apple pie and apple juice at the end of the day. That's enough fiber and pectin to give more than a few of the kids the old Hershey squirts. Good idea. The bus ride home should be fun!

8 agree | 9 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:11 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Benny said:
�I�m for anything that creates a sense of inclusion..." OK, then I will come over and slap all you PC morons upside the head. That should give you a sense of inclusion!! Less than 10% of the school population says they don't celebrate Halloween, so they cancel it. This is a perfect example of the tyranny of the minority. Who does Halloween offend? It is a secular holiday! You put on a costume, you have fun, you get some candy. What could be better than that for a kid? These PC school administrators need to get over themselves and let the kids be kids.

12 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:32 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal celebrations replacing Halloween"

Teflon Leprechaun said:
This is ridiculous! If you don't want to sell Halloween, then get the hell out of this country! Halloween is not a religious holiday, it's a holiday for kids. No wonder children are shooting up schools, they are taking away everything fun like Gym, Recess, Christmas, and Halloween. So far, the terrorists have won as they're slowing causing stuck up PC yuppies to overly protect their children instead of letting them be children. This country is starting to suck real bad!!

14 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate