Insight

Brits hiding away from trick-or-treaters

Brits hiding away from trick-or-treaters

Despite some criticism of the American import, Hallowe’en has brought enjoyment to some. Two in five (39%) say they like the scary films on television and dressing up at this time of year. Much of the enjoyment appears to be among the younger generation (18-34) with 61% liking getting kitted out in their Halowe’en fancy dress.

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However, other aspects have left us cold, with half (52%) saying they dislike the practice of trick-or-treating. Once again, the generational divide shows, with 47% of 18-34 year olds enjoying the custom and two thirds of older Brits (55+) disliking it.

Avoiding the trick-or-treaters

It appears that avoiding the annual night of trick-or-treating is common in Britain, with two fifths (42%) of Brits having pretended not to be in, and one in six (16%) even having sat in the dark for the evening so no-one knew they were in.

A fifth (20%) have refused to answer the door to teenage trick-or-treaters. However, 10% have felt threatened when they didn’t open the door or give what the trick-or-treaters wanted, while one in ten (10%) 18-24 year olds say that their house or garden has been vandalized by trick-or-treaters.

Celebrating Hallowe’en

40% of Brits say they intend to celebrate Hallowe’en this year, with 20% saying they’ll do so by watching scary films on the TV.

Other ways Brits intend intend to celebrate the 31st is to go to or host a party (17%), dress up (17%) or carve a pumpkin (15%). Only 12% intend to trick-or-treat this year, although this rises to three in ten (29%) younger Brits (18-34).

Hallowe'en