Halloween is coming! I hope you’ve stocked up on goodies for the trick or treaters. I picked up several big bags of candy a few weeks ago, and made sure to hide it from my family members.

Unfortunately, after buying all that candy and then having it in the house these past weeks I’ve been really tempted to raid the bags. I keep saying to myself no one’s going to notice a few pieces missing … But thankfully I’ve been able to stop myself. It isn’t easy, though!

Now a lot of people will be celebrating this year. According to the National Retail Federation, more than 179 million Americans are planning to participate in Halloween festivities this year, up from 171 million last year. Total Halloween-related spending is expected to reach $9.1 billion, compared with $8.4 billion in 2016. Spending on candy is expected to reach $2.7 billion this year.

According to the NRF, among Halloween celebrants,

  • 71% plan to hand out candy
  • 49% will decorate their home or yard
  • 48% will wear costumes
  • 46% will carve a pumpkin
  • 35% will throw or attend a party
  • 31% will take their children trick-or-treating
  • 23% will visit a haunted house
  • 16% will dress pets in costumes

Note: If you bought candy or a costume or anything else for Halloween, please make sure to record those purchases!

And speaking of candy, we were talking about candy, right? (See, I can’t get it out of my mind!) Anyway, I wanted to share this cool graphic from CandyStore.com, a bulk candy wholesaler and retailer. The company used 10 years of sales data from between 2007 and 2016, and paying special attention to the months before Halloween, determined its best-selling Halloween candy in each state.

Check out your state:

Source: CandyStore.com.

What’s your favorite candy? Let me know!

Finally, a few weeks ago, I asked you guys to send in your pet photos. Well, we received a ton of them! (I want to thank those who took the time to submit a photo.)

Anyway, here’s a few cute cats. (Dogs to follow next week.)


Have a great weekend, and enjoy Halloween!