Yes it’s Labor Day but since Halloween decorations have been in some stores since July….this week’s Time Machine jumps back to when Halloween was spookier than ever!
Have we become lazy when it comes to America’s scariest day?
Well let’s go back to 1999 when Gallup asked Americans whether their children would be wearing a costume that year for Halloween. A majority of 84% said they would be and only 14% said they would not.
Let’s jump forward 12 years to 2011 and see if kids still have the Halloween spirit!
CBS News asked Americans whether or not their kids would be wearing a costume. This time 76% said they would 26% said they would not. A majority of kids are still participating in the festivities, but a growing number are sitting out of dressing up.
Jump a few years forward to 2013 and the numbers only dwindle more. CBS News asked the same question and this time 67% said yes and 31% said no they would not.
Well America’s kids are slowly losing the spirit of dressing up as their favorite characters, but what about their parents?
Do people still give out candy for trick or treaters?
Fox News asked Americans in 1997 whether they would have candy for trick or treaters.
72% said yes and only 26% said no they would not. Overall, most people were ready to hand out treats.
Now let’s hop forward a few decades to 2021 and see if this still holds up.
CBS News asked the same question and found only 49% said yes and 48% said no to giving out treats.
What is happening to Americans’ Halloween spirit!?
This post was written by Marist Poll Media Team member Athen Hollis.