On Sunday, October 31, many Norwegians will traditionally dress up and knock on the door with the message “crunch or trick”.

The American Halloween tradition has long had a foothold in Norway. It is felt in the wallet of ordinary people.

According to a survey conducted by YouGov for Danske Bank, Norwegians will burn as much as NOK 750 million during the celebrations this year.

Here are some of the findings of the study:

• Norwegians who go to celebrate Halloween spend an average of 270 crowns on costumes.
• 10 percent plan to spend more on this year’s Halloween celebration because they didn’t get much out of it last year.
• 1 in 3 Norwegians find Halloween celebrations pointless.

– Huge amounts

– These are enormous sums, and it is clear that this is something that concerns many, consumer economist at Danske Bank, Thea Olsen, tells Børsen.

She adds that the willingness to pay has been high this year, probably due to the fact that last year’s Halloween celebration was canceled for most people.

Olsen believes the Halloween celebration has reached a point where it’s hard for parents to stay away from it.

– Children and young people talk about Halloween a few weeks in advance. Buying costumes, decorations and sweets is therefore difficult for parents to avoid. So my assumption about overconsumption is that many wouldn’t spend money on this at first, but you just don’t see any option but to join in on this day, Olsen says.

Environmental Challenges

Moroa also has a dark environmental background.

According to the same survey, 16 percent end up throwing away many of the products and goods they buy. 22 percent feel uncomfortable buying cheap Halloween products and throwing them away afterwards. 46 percent think Halloween leads to overconsumption that they don’t feel comfortable with.

Fear of empty store shelves

The findings of the study prompted the Association for Nature Conservation to respond.

– These are high numbers. It’s a tradition that has crept in through our chains through the back door and introduced it to increase consumption and sales, Conservation Association adviser Janne Gillgren tells Børsen.

Halloween has been a tradition in the United States for about 150 years. The celebration came entirely to Norway around the year 2000, where the Harry Potter movies featuring magic and flying people on broomsticks probably have a lot of credit, according to forskning.no.

Gillgren believes that consumption associated with Halloween poses major environmental challenges.

– It has many consequences. We already have a huge waste problem in addition to a pronounced use-and-throw culture that we need to change. We cannot afford to continue, she warns.

– I am both angry and frustrated that many of the purchases end up in the bin, she says.

Gillgren also believes that many of the Halloween products are “extremely bad.”

– They are made of plastic, they light up and are difficult to recycle. It’s so short term. It’s a bit like a flashy Christmas sweater, which cannot be washed, used twice and sorted as hazardous waste. Then some bells should start ringing.

Takes tourist action: – They are parasites

She believes that you can make your own costumes very far.

– You don’t have to run to the store every year and buy new things. There is very little to do. A white sheet, black clothes and make-up. Only the imagination sets limits, but you can easily use what you have.

She believes Norwegians should exercise restraint with their purchases, and has clear encouragement for this year’s Halloween:

– What you get from Halloween props, you have to save from year to year, of course. Where you have Easter, May 17 and Christmas decorations, wherever you have Halloween decorations, is Gillgren’s clear message.