More than half of parents admit they are competitive at Halloween

By Alice Hughes, 72Point via SWNS

More than half of parents admit they are competitive at Halloween - especially when it comes to fancy dress, baking and home décor.

A study of 1,000 moms and dads, with children up to 12-years-old, found 50 percent treat parenting like a competition, including sports day (34 percent), social media likes (26 percent) and bake sales (26 percent).

And 53 percent want to out-do others at Halloween specifically by providing the best sweets for trick or treaters (34 percent), hosting the best party (31 percent) and even curating the creepiest playlists (27 percent).

The research, commissioned by long-life bakery brand Baker Street, found moms and dads spend an average of £22.76 ($26.36) on their youngster’s fancy dress outfits and £26.02 ($30.13) on home-made garments.

A further £28.36 ($32.84) is forked out on decorations for the home and £26.04 ($30.16) on food or ingredients when hosting.

And 49 percent admitted they have become more competitive about the spooky seasonal event since becoming a parent.

Chris McLaughlin, commercial director at Baker Street, said: “The results show some humorous competition between parents around a celebration which is mainly for their kids.

“In the days of social media everything is more competitive because people want the most traction on content of their home, fashion and family, Halloween is clearly another time of the year to embrace this.

“Parents are also keen to impress when it comes to food and drink, including their table spread if hosting for others.

“Whether it’s home baking treats or making hot dogs look like ‘mummy’s fingers,’ it’s an important time to impress the family - and indeed the competition - with food.”

The study also found a fifth of moms and dads start planning for Halloween as early as the second week of September.

A proud third (34 percent) said their child has won an award or competition for their spooky fancy dress.

But 27 percent admitted they have made their child wear a Halloween outfit the youngster wasn’t keen on.

A further 37 percent typically over-buy sweets for trick or treaters, with 20 percent agreeing they aim to have the best confectionary in the area.

Three in 10 (31 percent) agreed Halloween is a much bigger occasion today than it was a decade ago and 20 percent believe other parent’s competitiveness has rubbed off on them.

Those polled, via OnePoll, typically spend October 31st taking their child trick or treating (35 percent), attending or hosting a gathering with friends (33 percent) and baking sweets (25 percent).

Among the snacks parents make for Halloween were pizzas (23 percent), cookies (22 percent) and hot dogs (21 percent).

An average of 43 minutes is spent making themed food while 47 minutes are committed to creating outfits.

When it comes to shouting about the spooky season on social media, parents have posted content of their kids in fancy dress (34 percent) and their table spread including décor and food (30 percent).

A further 40 percent believe moms and dads today are more competitive than previous generations, because of boasting on social media (50 percent) and having more pressure (44 percent).

More than a fifth (22 percent) believe their child also sees Halloween as a competition, as well as feeling excited (42 percent) and enthusiastic (27 percent) about the event.

Chris McLaughlin added: “It’s clear from the research that Halloween is a growing occasion - especially for families.

“That’s why we’ve teamed up with child’s nutritionist and author Annabel Karmel to help parents impress their kids and the competition with spooky recipe ideas.

“So whether you’re up for the competition like parents in Wales (67 percent) or more laid back about the occasion like parents in the West Midlands (35 percent), we’re always there help you be the host with the most this Halloween.”

Discover spooky recipes here.