Halloween From a Librarian's Perspective

Halloween, Oct. 31, 2011

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals at least two thousand years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils, and hobgoblins. October 31 marks the end of summer and the beginning of the Celtic New Year,  Samhuinn. November 1, the Christian holy day of All Saints, is also called All Hallows or Hallowsmas, the night before being All Hallows Eve or Halloween.

It is largely a secular celebration, but some have expressed feelings about perceived religious overtones. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. While trick or treet used to be observed seriously, today, many of the young and young at heart take a more light-spirited approach, focusing more on treating than tricking. They don scary disguises or ones that may bring on smiles when they go door to door for treats.  And Halloween is important to retailers because it averages about $5 billion a year in sales.

The U.S. Census Bureau provides some interesting facts related to Halloween (dates indicate the most recent surveys).

Trick or Treat!

41 million: The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2010 children 5 to 14 across the United States.  Of course, many other children — older than 13, and younger than 5  also go trick-or-treating.

92%: Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night. (But stay off the Esplanade.)

Jack-o-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies

1.1 billion pounds: Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2010. Illinois led the country by producing 427 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. California, New York, and Ohio  also provided lots of pumpkins: each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

Most of the “gourds” used as Jack-o-Lanterns are inedible (or at best tasteless) so don’t worry about wasting food.  Buy sugar pumpkins for your pies.

Candy and Costumes

1,177: Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people and shipping $13.2 billion worth of goods. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 135, followed by Pennsylvania, with 111.

24.7 pounds: Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

1,719: Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2009.