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Originally Posted by Clancy Sullivan  It's not all that fun but the next widely-celebrated holiday in the US will be Thanksgiving, in late November, and that's usually a two-day family affair including family reunions, big meals, liquor consumption, arguments, violence, etc.---all very depressing stuff. So, folks kind of fortify themselves with Halloween fun. |
You're kidding, right? Halloween is now a huge holiday, second only behind Christmas in event-specific retail sales (costumes, candy, etc.). Just about every neighborhood in the U.S. has Halloween parties, many businesses have costume and decorating contests--participation is high. As you pointed out indirectly, Halloween fills a holiday void between Summer's last hurrah (Labor Day) and late November's Thanksgiving. But more to the point, Halloween is all about fun with no real family obligations (travel to see relatives, etc.). It's a chance to dress up and act out your favorite fantasy or be a superhero in acetate tights. It's the yearly pass to gorge on your favorite sweets.
I'm not a huge particiapnt myself, but it's fun even for bystanders.