Dress Up And Get Down This Halloween Consumers To Spend More Than $1 Billion On Costumes (NAPSA)—Americans love to dress up and celebrate Halloween. Findings from the National Retail Federation (NRF) Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey show more than half of con- aA sumers, 52.5 percent, plan to celebrate Halloween. Andit’s not just renting a scary movie and handing out candy. More than ever, adult consumers are purchasing costumes for their Halloween celebrations. According to the NRF, consumers will spend approximately $1.15 billion on costumes, with 53.3 percent of consumers planning to buy a costumefor Halloween. Good Halloween costumes are memorable and spark conversation. Bad costumes can turn your Halloween celebration into a nightmare. At one time or another, nearly everyone hastried making a costume. Often, the fin- ished product is a far cry from the original vision. Common costume blunders include costumes that are cumbersome, incomplete, awkward or sight prohibitive. If this sounds familiar, maybe this is the year to purchase a costume. A new Website from the makers of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, www.captainyour halloween.com, hopes to reduce the number of costume blunders this Halloween by offering a collection of whimsical prepackaged costumes. It’s inspired by the unofficial new spirit of Halloween, Captain Morgan—thetall, dark and handsome legendary ambassador of fun and adventure. By hooking up with Captain Morgan, consumers can enjoy the fun that is embraced by millions of Americans as the Halloween party season continues to grow in popular- A whimsical costume, such as the Deviled Egg, can be a crackup for Halloween fun. ity and participation. The Web site also offers creative cocktail recipes, party suggestions and, for those really runninglate, a collection of humorous last-minute cos- tume suggestions. All dressed with plenty of places to go? Because more and moreadult consumerscelebrate Halloween, the holiday has moved from a one-day event to a monthlong celebration. Halloween now creeps up in early October and by midmonth thecalendaris filled with costume contests, parties, parades andfestivals. America boasts the greatest Halloween celebrations in the world, including New York’s Village Parade, drawing 45,000 marchers and more than 2 million spectators, and Key West’s notorious Fantasy Fest”. E! Entertainment Television’s “Wild On” Travel Guide described Fantasy Fest as the “biggest Halloween celebration in the world and must be seen to be believed.” Regardless if you entertain at homeor you hit the road in search of Halloween fun, remember to drink responsibly.
