A recent survey conducted by American retail group Party City shows that 96% of parents plan to celebrate Halloween this year, while 70% are seeking alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating.
As such, the leading party goods retailer and Halloween destination is calling on consumers to rewrite the rule book this year, with the focus remaining on celebrating safely and doing the right thing for each individual set of circumstances. This season’s strapline – ‘You Boo You!’ – reflects the fact that this year will be a Halloween like no other.
The survey also looked at some of the biggest trends expected to be seen across the US as we approach the spooky season. It is widely expected that this year will see a rise in Halloween home décor and party supplies, with 63% of respondents planning to host celebrations at home this year.
Conversely, 68% will be heading out to any neighborhood parades and events which are able to take place, which are expected to include drive-by trick-or-treating and other socially-distanced neighbourhood gatherings.
More than half of those who answered the survey also plan to drop Halloween goodie bags at doorsteps as a contact-free way to surprise friends and loved ones – in costumes, of course.
Party City experts have also analysed pop culture, movie and fashion trends to reveal the top ten most popular costumes for the year. While gamer-themed costumes are trending as a result of additional quarantine screen time and everyday heroes earn their turn in the spotlight, Wonder Woman battles to join the top five ahead of her Wonder Woman 1984 movie release this fall.
- Slasher-themed (Mike Myers, Chucky, Pennywise)
- Gamer-themed (Hyperspace, Halo, Fortnite, and Super Mario)
- Everyday heroes (doctors, nurses, firefighters, and police officers)
- Disney’s Frozen characters
- Tiger King-inspired
- Wonder Woman characters
- Birds of Prey characters
- Skeletons
- Day of the Dead (zombies, vampires, and other classics)
- Election-inspired
To help with all of the finishing touches on costumes, make-up, and home decorating, Party City is also introducing an online ‘How to Mix It, Match It’ series, which will be hosted via virtual workshops, Facebook and Instagram Live.
