# A few Halloween Marketing observations. Please add to as needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 23, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002 "2001-10-23T01:41:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/21 "2001-10-23T17:53:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*(3) Halloween Peeps! What fun! At what point, however, does it take away from the specialness of the original Easter peeps? > \*\* Let’s just expand this to say that ANY candy you can’t give away to trick or treaters is totally wrong for the holiday. Unless they are individually wrapped. Same goes for the circus peanut knock-offs that are halloween shaped. ---
**Author:** ![Daikona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Daikona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daikona)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/22 "2001-10-23T18:14:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*(4) Please, please, please. Stop putting out that cheapo-bag of candy. You know, the one marked 50% cheaper than the fun-size candy bars, the one with the dum-dums and other very small, very cheap pieces of never-heard-of-it-brand candy? I mean, if someone can’t afford to give a decent treat, they should just leave the porch light off and give up. Think of the children! \*\* Personally, I always appreciated those bags of cheapo candy. They were about the only thing I ever got that wasn’t chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/23 "2001-10-23T22:13:10Z")
Under the heading of holiday decorations and “What were you thinking?”, I have a neighbor who goes overboard with the decorations. When everybody was putting out their flag, this person put a clothesline between two trees and hung two flag afghans from them, plus overalls with flag patches. For halloween, she put a pile of dirt in her yard, and put stuffed kid’s pants on the pile of dirt with the “feet” sticking straight up. So it looked like she had 3 kids buried head down up to their waist in the pile of dirt. Sheesh Apparently either someone complained or stole the pants because they are gone now. She does still have the giant (the length of a small car) spider in the yard. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/24 "2001-10-23T22:36:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diesel \* > \*\*15) Does the real Superman ever really wear a plastic t-shirt with his picture on it? \*\* “He would on Halloween!” (mad props to who can identify the quote (although it actually relates to a different super-hero)) ---
**Author:** ![GrandfatherTrout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@GrandfatherTrout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandfatherTrout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/25 "2001-10-23T22:45:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Annie-Xmas \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by cygnus \* > > I would so like to think you are just making this up. I so, so, so want to think so. But I have the sinking suspicion you’re not. Dare I ask where you saw this grotesque atrocity? \*\* > > Someone who works with me in New Jersey came up with this idea for her twins. I couldn’t make that up. I wouldn’t want to be able to make that up. She won’t be the only one, either. I’d put good money on at least 7 sets of Twin Towers in this year’s Greenwich Village Hallowe’en Parade. I [heart] New York. [sub]hey! this is my 100th post![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/26 "2001-10-23T22:52:10Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by bouv \* \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diesel \* > “He would on Halloween!” > > (mad props to who can identify the quote (although it actually relates to a different super-hero)) \*\* Oh, it’s from a Simpsons episode…Milhouse talking about Radioactive Man. But I can’t remember exactly which episode… ---
**Author:** ![hightechburrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@hightechburrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hightechburrito)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/27 "2001-10-24T05:54:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bouv \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Diesel \* > > \*\*15) Does the real Superman ever really wear a plastic t-shirt with his picture on it? \*\* > > “He would on Halloween!” > > (mad props to who can identify the quote (although it actually relates to a different super-hero)) \*\* That would be Treehouse of Horror 10. The sub episode was “Desperately Seeking Xena.” The part of the "Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl was “Enter the Collecter.” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/28 "2001-10-24T08:22:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aphrodite \* > **(5) No adult person really really wants to be a box of Mc Donald’s french fries. You may stop producing those costumes.** Speak for yourself. I’m an adult, and I have that very costume. It’s draped over the door of this room right now, to keep it both out of the way and free of creases, and I am going to wear it on Halloween. I should mention, however, that I am the fry queen. My dressing as a large order of fries is like the typical Doper dressing as a box of chocolates. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/29 "2001-10-29T19:06:14Z")
The company I work for recently listed a funeral home for sale. Open Houses in our City are held on Wednesday. This Wednesday is Halloween. Anyone for a Halloween Open House in a Funeral Home? Guess who thought up that idea 😃 ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/30 "2001-10-29T19:31:41Z")
I think it would be in poor taste to offer Pixie Sticks for a Halloween treat. For those of you that don’t know, they come in a paper straw like wrapping that if snapped in half, a lot of flavored sugar comes out. \< God think of the neighborhood freak out if someone did that, LOL \> That’s scary! ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/31 "2001-10-29T19:41:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xizor \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > > \*\*(3) Halloween Peeps! What fun! At what point, however, does it take away from the specialness of the original Easter peeps? > > \*\* > > Let’s just expand this to say that ANY candy you can’t give away to trick or treaters is totally wrong for the holiday. Unless they are individually wrapped. Same goes for the circus peanut knock-offs that are halloween shaped. \*\* Good point. I can’t give them out. I’ll have to eat them all myself. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/32 "2001-10-30T14:49:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by techchick68 \* > \*\*I think it would be in poor taste to offer Pixie Sticks for a Halloween treat. > > For those of you that don’t know, they come in a paper straw like wrapping that if snapped in half, a lot of flavored sugar comes out. > > \< God think of the neighborhood freak out if someone did that, LOL \> That’s scary! \*\* I smell an UL starting over this observation - terrorists are poisoning pixie sticks with anthrax! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/33 "2001-10-30T14:57:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*…this person put a clothesline between two trees and hung two flag afghans from them, plus overalls with flag patches. \*\* She hung up an Afganistan flag, or an knitted afghan (throw) made like an American flag? And why overalls? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/34 "2001-11-01T07:39:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by techchick68 \* > \*\*I think it would be in poor taste to offer Pixie Sticks for a Halloween treat. > > For those of you that don’t know, they come in a paper straw like wrapping that if snapped in half, a lot of flavored sugar comes out. > > \< God think of the neighborhood freak out if someone did that, LOL \> That’s scary! \*\* I got called in to work tonight, at the mall. Many stores were giving out El Cheapo candy, mine among them. In fact, it was the same for all stores, except the ones that had their own product: teeny little lollies, SweeTarts, teeny little Tootsie Rolls, and Pixie Stix. I did a walk before going into my store, snagging as much candy as I could (got some Sees chocolate lollies! Woohoo!). Was on the point of saying, “Can you believe; they’re actually giving out Pixie Stix!” when I saw my supervisor holding a tub of the same stuff. Well, it wasn’t my idea. But I remember seeing a report somewhere from a town that had banned trick-or-treating and was having a party in the civic center instead. A spokesperson for the local constabulary was quoted as saying “We don’t want to get a hundred calls from people freaking out because a Pixie Stick broke in their kids bag.” Or something to that effect. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/35 "2001-11-01T13:58:10Z")
1. String lights need not be made for EVERY HOLIDAY ON THE CALENDAR! Were the manufacturers just not making enough off of Christmas? 3 or 4 homes on my street have those ugly-ass orange icicle lights on 'em, not to mention the deep purple ones around the door. When did this happen? I remember seeing them for the 4th of July, too. What’s next? Thanksgiving and Groundhog Day lights? ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/36 "2001-11-01T14:22:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kinsey \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > > \*\*…this person put a clothesline between two trees and hung two flag afghans from them, plus overalls with flag patches. \*\* > > She hung up an Afganistan flag, or an knitted afghan (throw) made like an American flag? And why overalls? \*\* They are american flags, but are the afghans you buy to throw over the back of your couch. I supposed they’re called a throw, but that just doesn’t sound right to me. As for the overalls, I think the idea is that she’s trying to create a patriotic Americana scene recalling those days long ago where you wore patched overalls to plow the back 40, and the little woman hung the wash up on a line to dry. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/37 "2001-11-01T15:53:46Z")
In my opinion, you can’t get enough colored lights. I don’t really mind too much that they’ve been selling Christmas stuff for several weeks now, but I DO mind that two days before Halloween _they were already taking away the Halloween stuff!_ How are you supposed to buy last-minute stuff if they store’s already putting it away? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/38 "2001-11-01T18:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bluethree \* > \*\*…but I DO mind that two days before Halloween _they were already taking away the Halloween stuff!_ How are you supposed to buy last-minute stuff if they store’s already putting it away? \*\* Slight tangent…they did that with the school stuff and it really pissed me off. My daughters came home almost every day that first week with something else they needed that wasn’t on the original list (an extra binder for this class, a marble notebook for that class, more dividers, etc.) and at Target at least, the school supplies were being removed for more Halloween crap and the beginning of the Christmas crap. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002/39 "2001-11-01T18:23:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*They are american flags, but are the afghans you buy to throw over the back of your couch. I supposed they’re called a throw, but that just doesn’t sound right to me. > > As for the overalls, I think the idea is that she’s trying to create a patriotic Americana scene recalling those days long ago where you wore patched overalls to plow the back 40, and the little woman hung the wash up on a line to dry. :rolleyes: \*\* Well, duh. My mistake. I realized right when I hit “submit” that you meant “throws”. :o I guess I saw the words “flag afghans” and thought something else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-halloween-marketing-observations-please-add-to-as-needed/89002.md?page=1)