Just ask Jim Lauscher of The Village Christmas Shoppe at Gardner Village, who said business in Halloween decorations is already brisk.
"Halloween in the state of Utah is the second biggest holiday for decorating," he said. "I am from the Midwest, and on Halloween people dress up the kids for one night. Here they are starting to decorate the inside and outside of houses on Oct. 1.
"The other thing about Halloween is that price doesn't matter," he added. "I have trouble selling a $100 Christmas item, but selling a $200 witch is no problem."
Preston Sandoval, the floral department manager at Michael's in Sugar House, confirms Lauscher's observations. He said Halloween and Christmas are the two biggest holidays for decorations and people aren't afraid to spend money.
For example, as soon as the relatively expensive Lemax ceramic Halloween houses went on sale, they started selling quickly. One customer wanted one of everything and spent $1,000 on the homes.
Lauscher said Gardner Village's Witches Night Out event in October brings in large crowds. He has purchased several witch hats this year and reported they are selling well.
Halloween villages at The Village Christmas Shoppe outsell similar Christmas decorations 3 to 1. They consist of 6-inch-high porcelain buildings that move and have sound.
"When we get to the market in Atlanta in January, there is always something new in the Halloween business," said Lauscher. Lauscher carries a line of cloth dolls by artist Joe Spencer, Gathered Traditions. Spencer's "topsy-turvy" witch is two witches sewn together; one is dressed in white, the other in black. Prices for his dolls are from $60 to $150. Lauscher was sold out of a couple of pieces on Sept. 12.
Lauscher also carries wooden blocks that spell out "Trick or Treat" or "Happy Halloween," which can be set up on a mantel.
At Michael's, Sandoval said there is a bigger demand than normal this year for customized T-shirt kits that allow crafters to apply iron-on decorations. Face-paint sales also have been brisk.
Tom Wharton can be contacted at wharton@sltrib.com or 801-257-8909. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com.
