Halloween Petitions and Raving Traditionalists

I have been watching with some interest the emotional debate taking place online regarding Spirit Halloween's supposed campaign to move Halloween to the last Saturday of October. The campaign isn't what interests me, but the deep chasm it's created in my online circles is worth noting.

I've flippantly mused about this very thing in forums, and if I remember correctly, I said I wouldn't mind it so much but would prefer if instead we made it a whole week of festivities for Halloween.

I've stayed out of this new debate, chalking it up to another marketing ploy (a successful marketing ploy, hinging on the edge of going viral) to draw attention to their store. I wasn't about to get riled up or involved in the mess. And I wasn't going to give it air time on my blog.

But.

I underestimated the dedication Spirit Halloween has given to the campaign. Yesterday I got an email - where a living person actually took the time to type GF in the subject line - signed Elio Valenzuela, on behalf of Spirit Halloween.

Ok. You got me. I will weigh in on this.

First, let me share their e-mail message with you:

"I know that you and your readers love all that has to do with Halloween and Halloween fun, that’s why I thought you and your readers would like to know that we are trying to tell people about Halloweekend, a new movement to try to have Halloween on the last Saturday of October every year!

We invite you to join our quest to have Halloween changed to a Saturday. Not just this year, but every year.

Let’s face it: Halloween has outgrown the weekday celebration.

• Halloween is now the third-largest party day in the U.S., behind New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl.
• Halloween is the second-largest holiday in home décor (inside and outside), behind Christmas

Saturday Halloween makes good sense.

• Saturday Halloween is more fun for friends and family. Parties last longer, families spend more quality time together — the world is a little happier.
• Saturday Halloween is unrushed. The kids can trick or treat before dark and parents don’t have to race home from work or worry about bedtimes.

So, take the pledge. Tell your friends. Join the movement on www.Facebook.com/SpiritHalloweekend. And let’s make Halloween the last Saturday in October every year! Let’s make it: Halloweekend.

And this is what I wrote to them:

It's such an interesting topic I HAD to respond.

First, I think this is marketing gold. You're definitely getting a lot of attention (at least in Haunter circles) from this - good and bad (is there such a thing as bad press?).

Personally, I'd be pushing for the last week of October to be a Halloween festival. This way Halloween stays on Halloween, but people can celebrate on either weekend.

With your suggestion just focusing on moving the holiday to a Saturday, I can't say I support the movement. In fact, push comes to shove, I'd have to say I'm against it (though I understand your arguments).

But it is entertaining to watch this all play out. A note of caution - the dedicated home haunters who are against it on various forums should never be underestimated when it comes to word of mouth. Get enough of them riled up about something, and it could hurt your "good will" and sales from the community. Something to keep in mind.

Take care,

Ghoul Friday

My Official Stance on this Whole Thing

I can't imagine Halloween not being on Halloween.

And why on earth would I support a movement that wants children to trick or treat before dark?

And are you new? People already throw their Halloween parties on weekends. You don't have to move it to a Saturday for them to do this.

In fact, it's better for most folks to have their parties on a different night than when the trick or treaters come by. A lot of people like to stay home to give out candy, so why create a conflict for party goers?

*sigh* See? You've got me all riled. Riled about a petition that I am convinced will have absolutely NO sway in the real world anyway so it's not worth even getting riled about.

But let's pretend just for a minute that this is something I should be taking seriously. That some idiot politician in the States will take notice of this and actually do something. And some stupid Canadian politician parrots the idea of said American politician. Then what? What is my response?

*leans forward in her chair as the lights dim*

If you really screwed up Halloween like this, I would never shop at that store again. I would make sure everyone I knew or came into contact with didn't shop at that store again. I (and a number of haunters) might even stand outside your new Canadian stores and offer customers advice on where to go elsewhere for better deals. I would add my voice to the countless nay sayers who have already brought the cacophonous cries of "No" to a crescendo, and spread the word online that Spirit Halloween doesn't care about its demographics. It doesn't care about the holiday. And it certainly could not give a toss about anything but money and marketing.

*leans back and smiles sweetly*

BUT I know this is just a smart marketing ploy so I don't have to get all riled, and I can enjoy the chatter on the topic. And I can still visit one of the many new Spirit stores that just opened for business in Ontario if I chose to do so.

And only while this campaign remains mildly entertaining, and doesn't start to irk me.

I should also mention a petition has been started for people against Halloween being moved, and even a Facebook group (their logo is at the top of this post) popped up in the last 48 hours though I can't imagine either is necessary.

I find Christmas is a nuisance when it's mid-week. Let's move it to a Friday to accommodate me. Jesus and Santa won't mind. And to hell with tradition.