[Frank Richards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

Are we really a week away from Halloween? It just doesn't even feel like it because it doesn't seem like anyone is doing anything this year. I am the only balcony in my entire apartment complex to have decorations up this year when previously there were at least a quarter of the balconies decorated. Also, I don't really see any Halloween commercials on TV. Where are the vampire Reese's commercials? Even the neighborhoods I go to don't seem to have much in the way of yards decorated. WTF? Did 2016 also decide to kill Halloween?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

Part of the issue with Halloween that I think we are having as of late has just been societal signs of the time I think. Many of my local big box stores such as Walmart, Kmart and Costco already had Christmas stuff up just after Labor Day, and many of my local malls started doing the same shortly after.
Add in the fact that many people are no longer able to get the day off, or dress up due to the demands of a work force that puts earnings over employees, and you'll see the decline that we're having in general.

Another thing that is killing Halloween I think is a this fast food mentality of the current generation in terms of costume and decoration. Just 10 to 15 years ago, many people would actually put time and effort into their creations. You bought a cape, vampire fangs, makeup, fake blood, and so on so that by the end of the night, you WERE a vampire. Then came Edward Cullen, who is a vampire who looks like everyone else, only with more glitter, and it gets even easier than there. Now a days, it's just easier to buy yourself a Deadpool Hoodie from Hot Topic and zip it up.

Let's not forget all this killer clown nonsense and rumors of clown "purges" on Facebook, which is frigging ridiculous in its own right. I refuse to give it anymore attention than that, because it's seriously stupid.

I hate to seem as if I'm bragging, since I made a post similar to this one last year, but it must be a regional thing, because people in my area seem to be exceptionally excited about Halloween.

Friends, family members, and acquaintances in my area have been posting pics of their costumes and decor, posting lists of their latest horror movie marathons, and broadcasting all other sorts of Halloween-related festivities all over social media ever since late September. Multiple groups of my friends have even recently visited Orlando, FL to experience the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios.

Sure, I've seen something of a decline in Halloween products at most retailers (with candy obviously being the exception), but around here, most people have taken on a DIY approach and are still putting a LOT of extra effort into their costumes.
I don't know if it's the prevalence and popularity of cosplay, or an increase in the popularity of the southern tradition of "crafting", or what other reasons there may be, but store bought costumes from retailers like Wal-Mart, as well as those Hot Topic hoodie costumes (LOL, which I consider to be the modern equivalent of those awful half-assed costumes from the 80's and 90's that consisted of a vinyl smock and cheap plastic character mask) are on the decline.
For weeks, I haven't been able to go onto Facebook without seeing videos and pics of friends and family members previewing and practicing their zombie make-up techniques on themselves or their kids, in preparation for Halloween.

Speaking of zombies, I feel certain that the Walking Dead fervor that has gripped this area is another reason that people are so excited about Halloween. EVERYONE I know watches that show. Even people who typically don't care for the horror genre whatsoever have jumped on the bandwagon. Since seasons 1-5 took place in Georgia (as far as I know, it's still filmed in GA too), that show has accumulated an uncannily large following around here.

But anyways, even though fewer and fewer families allow their kids to go trick-or-treating each year (like Trivial said, it's just a sign of the times ...) the number of parties and other seasonal events around here has increased exponentially.
Even without trick-or-treating, the emphasis on elaborate costumes and thematic parties has helped this time of year to still "feel like Halloween", just a little different, and quite possibly maybe even better, IMO.