Halloween Is Coming

PLUG IN Pest Free October Newsletter

October is here and by now you have probably seen many houses in your neighborhood decorating for Halloween. With all the scary decorations and spooky costumes, many don’t stop to think about how much is spent each year on Halloween, which might be the scariest of all. 2020 was definitely disappointing for those who look forward to celebrating Halloween each year, but 2021 certainly made up for that. According to Investopedia.com Americans spent a record $10.14 Billion Dollars on Halloween. It is expected this year of 2022 will set a new record totalling $10.6 Billion Dollars. Now that’s a lot of candy and skeletons!

But where did Halloween come from? Origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly lived around what we now know as Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France. November 1st was celebrated by the Celts as their New Year, marking an end to summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark cold winter, often associated with human death. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Of course there are other theories and versions that historians have noted that date back hundreds of years. Whichever you believe, one thing is for sure – $10 Billion Dollars is a lot of money!!

With a lot of little ghosts and goblins running around, especially as dusk turns to night, it is important we remain more vigilant to keep Halloween safe for all. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for consideration:

* Do help your trick-or-treaters to see at night. Look for costumes that use face paint instead of masks.

* Do plan a route ahead of time.

* Do always walk with adult supervision or in a large group with at least one older appointed chaperone. Plus, it’s more fun for the little trick-or-treaters to be with spooky friends than spook alone.

* Do remember to cross the road safely at crosswalks or street corners. Point to indicate your intent to cross, pause to double-check and make eye contact with any drivers, then proceed when it’s safe do so.

* Do lift up your mask (if you’re wearing one) for a better view before crossing the street.

* Do have a safe, quiet place for your pets. Strangers and costumes may put them on edge.

* Do always expect the unexpected when driving. Watch out for children jaywalking, crossing driveways and stepping out from behind parked vehicles.

* Do make eye contact with pedestrians when driving. Masks and costumes can reduce a child’s view of the road.

* Do stay focused and alert behind the wheel. Avoid distractions like cell phones and other electronic devices. Give them the night off and keep your mind on the road.

Did You Say $10 Billion Dollars?

• $3.6 billion for costumes
• $3.1 billion for candy
• $3.4 billion for decorations
• $0.6 billion for greeting cards

• Bring out the seamstress in you and make your own costume. The upside is, nobody else on the block will be dressed the same as those store bought ones.
• If you are a member of any warehouse clubs, consider buying your Halloween candy in bulk for the trick-or-treaters.
• Look for bargains on clothing and/or accessories at thrift stores for your costume, or to accompany your home-made costume.
• Look online for local Halloween events in your community, many may be free.
• Host a Halloween party at home and ask each guest to bring one plate with them. There will be enough for everybody to have fun.
• Plan ahead for next year. Shop for Halloween decorations right after Halloween. Many shops will be heavily discounting Halloween decorations and ornaments. After all, they need the space for their Christmas decorations and ornaments.

Berry Eyeball Punch

• 3 cups blackberries
• 18 canned lychees (from one 20-ounce can), plus 3/4 cup syrup from the can
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups sweetened acai juice
• 1 cup blueberry juice cocktail
• 18 large blueberries
• 3 cups lemon-lime soda
• 1 cup spiced rum or gin (optional)

1. Puree the blackberries, lychee syrup and lemon juice in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing on the solids with a rubber spatula. Add the acai juice and blueberry juice. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
2. Gently push a blueberry into the cavity of each lychee. Transfer the punch to a punch bowl or pitcher and add the stuffed lychees, then gently stir in the lemon-lime soda and rum, if using. Serve over ice.