Halloween
More Americans Decorating Their Homes for Halloween
By
Sep 8, 2006, 09:44

(NewsUSA) - According to the National Retail Federation, more than 56 percent of the population celebrated Halloween in 2003 and the numbers are expected to increase this year. One of the areas growing the fastest is home décor - both inside and out. In fact, by some estimates, Halloween is No. 2 in holiday home decor behind Christmas.

To help people decorate their homes for this "spooky" season, Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments offers "The Mansion on Ravenwood Lane." The collection features two trick or treaters who visit a haunted house filled with several delightful characters. The haunted house display has four different rooms with special lighting and some eerie sound effects. "The Mansion really sets the stage for great holiday decorating," says Melissa Fiene-Helgesen, associate product manager for Keepsake Ornaments at Hallmark.

Historically, Halloween wasn't always about fun, festivities and decorating. The holiday is a secular celebration based on ancient Druid customs dating back to 700 B.C.

Halloween first was celebrated in the United States in the 1840s, when Irish Catholics, fleeing from the potato famine, brought Halloween customs with them to America.

One of those customs that has developed over the years is card sending. The first Halloween cards in the United States were produced in 1908. Hallmark produced its first Halloween cards in the 1920s.

"Sending Halloween cards is another great way to connect with family and friends," says Kimberly Holt, product manager for Halloween cards at Hallmark. "The cards are traditionally light-hearted, fun and often unexpected."

Hallmark offers nearly 350 different Halloween card designs with lots of opportunities to find the "right one," Holt says.

"We are finding that many grandparents are sending fun cards with some money tucked inside instead of giving the children candy," says Holt. "It's also a great way to share the holiday with a distant grandchild."

For more information about Hallmark's Halloween card selection or the Halloween Collection from Keepsake Ornaments (available at more than 4,300 Hallmark Gold Crown stores), visit www.hallmark.com.

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