CLEVELAND — For folks passing out candy this Halloween, the price of sweets might cause a fright.
What You Need To Know
- The latest Consumer Price Index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the cost of candy up 13.1% compared to last year
- For Halloween fans like Susan Miazga, continuing traditions like passing out full-size candy bars to kids is priceless
- Miazga estimated she spent about 20% more on candy this year compared to last
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average cost of candy is up more than 13% compared to last year.
But, Susan Miazga said sharing the fun and traditions of Halloween is priceless. She buys candy to give to trick-or-treaters every year.
“When you go out as a kid and you get a little bit scared and get a lot of candy, and you come home and you overindulge — it’s just one of those memories that you just can’t, I just can’t, grow out of,” she said.
Her home is a top stop for kids in her Willoughby neighborhood because she hands out full-size candy bars.
“As soon as I found out one of our neighbors gave it out, I was like, ‘Yeah, you know, this is the way to go,’ ” she said. “This is a celebration. It’s one of the few things from my childhood that people are still doing.”
She loads up on goodies each year.
“I’m not gonna run short,” she said. “I’d rather have too much than too little.”
She said she makes sure to offer options for anyone with allergies, as well, including non-food items.
“Nobody goes away empty-handed here,” Miazga said. “Unless they get scared and they just run away. And that’s kind of fun, too.”
But the treats come at a cost.
“Everything costs more at the grocery store in general, but I saw that candy and was like, ‘Oooh! That’s a little bit scary!’” Miazga said with a laugh.
She said she paid about 20% more than last year.
“I was very surprised at how much everything cost,” she said.
But for Miazga, it’s about giving the kids something to look forward to.
“There’s no age limit to Halloween, there really isn’t,” she said. “Look at me, I’m 61 and I’m still doing it. So, there’s that.”
She enjoys getting the chance to express her creativity by dressing up in spooky costumes and makeup.
“That’s my favorite part,” she said. “It’s their favorite part. Of course they like the candy, but I just like the tradition.”
A tradition of terrifying trick-or-treaters. This year, her costume includes a small sidekick: a doll.
“We’re gonna be terrorizing the neighborhood,” Miazga said. “I can’t wait to freak the kids out.”
But her grandkids aren’t exactly fans of her scary shenanigans.
“The 2-year-old’s a little bit too young to know, but the other two are like, ‘Grandma, you are just creepy,’” she said.
She said she spares the younger kids from her scare tactics, but older kids are fair game.
“I like to watch ‘em run,” she said. “But they come back. Because I have the full-size bars. So, they’re coming back anyway.”
And Miazga wants them to keep coming back.
“You’re not gonna find me skimping on Halloween,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’ll go out less next month, if it takes that. I’m not skimping on the full-size bars. It’s a party. It’s always a party.”