Pump up the Pumpkins!
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- Last Updated: Friday, 12 December 2014 14:12
Did you know that spending on Halloween décor is second only to spending on Christmas decorations?
According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, seven out of 10 Americans (68.6 percent) plan to celebrate Halloween, up from 63.8 percent in 2010, and the most in NRF’s 10-year survey history.
“In recent years, Halloween has provided a welcome break from reality, allowing many Americans a chance to escape from the stress the economy has put on their family and incomes,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
Among the NRF's survey findings:
- More than half (50.1%) of consumers will decorate their homes and yards; second only to the winter holidays
- Consumers will spend $1.6 billion on Halloween decorations
- An estimated 46.3% will carve a pumpkin
“Though Halloween spending will be much more robust than a year ago, consumers will still err on the side of caution,” said Phil Rist, Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, BIGsearch. “Americans are excited about Halloween but are still being frugal and pinching their pennies where they can.” So how do consumers cut down on Halloween spending?
One way is to use last year's (or previous years') Halloween decorations. Other ways: swapping or borrowing decorations and costumes or making your own.
Halloween & Fall Project Ideas
Take a look at some bisque items and halloween-themed projects for ways you can customize your household for Halloween: Halloween Projects
Here's a couple special projects and bisque pieces we especially like:
Lighted Jack-O-Lantern
We have two bisque items that are pre-carved and come with a small electric light, 6 ft. cord with an on-off switch:
MB-1032 - 16" Pumpkin - stands 16" high
MB-1041 - Lighted Pumpkin - 7 ½ " h x 5 ½ " w
Just add Stroke 'n Coats, Foundations and your imagination. Try Crystalites and Jungle Gems to give your jack-o-lantern a special treatment.
Castable Pumpkin & Skull
Two items in the Castables line (slip casting molds) perfect for halloween are the pumpkin and skull:
CD-1177 - Pumpkin - 3 ¾ " h x 2" w
CD-1178 - Skull - 3 ¼ " h x 2" w
Once you have created a greenware (unfired) shape you can carve/cut the pumpkin as you would a real pumpkin. You can cut a circle in the bottom (1 ½ " in diameter) which is the width of a standard tea light.