Goodbye Witches and Mummies - As Giant Strawberries, Princesses, Fluffy Bunnies and 007 Top the Taste-Buds for Halloween Parties This Year

With the Autumn Budget over and Halloween here again, 78% of Brits are dressing up and having some fun – but forget the witch and mummy outfits; this year will see the arrival of princesses, bunnies, giant bananas, unicorns, walking strawberries, dragons and 007 as people celebrate Halloween in a different way. 

The national poll of 2,000 adults by The Delicious Dessert Company asked people what their favourite costumes for a Halloween party would be this year. Just 16% wanted to put a witch’s outfit on for another Halloween, and using endless yards of toilet roll to become a DIY Halloween mummy appealed to less than one in ten (9%). Lots of other - far more fun - options held appeal:

• Dressing up as James Bond was the top choice for men (25%), followed by a superhero such as Batman (16%).

• Women were more into dressing up (84%) and popular costume choices included: a Disney princess (18%), a Spice Girl (14%), a unicorn (11%) and Tinkerbell the fairy (17%).

• The under 25s were most likely to dress up as a witch (23%) but they liked other things too – many opting to dress up as a dragon (14%), a unicorn (13%) a giant bunny (10%) or a pole dancer (8%) for Halloween this year.

• A small group of respondents (5%) are taking ‘Christmas early’ to ridiculous extremes this year – and are planning to go to a Halloween party dressed as Father Christmas. 

Around the regions 

Halloween costume choices also varied around the UK. The Scots were most likely to fancy themselves as comic book superheroes (14%). Unsurprisingly, the Welsh were most likely to get their dragon outfits on for Halloween (17%) – although 10% also liked the idea of being a giant strawberry or a unicorn (10%). People in the West Midlands were most likely to dress up as a giant cream cake 8%, people in London were torn between a Disney princess (17%) and a giant banana (7%), whilst people in the South West like the flowing white cotton of being a Morris Dancer (7%) – not that it would scare the trick or treaters away.

The taste for wearing something different for Halloween played out in the sweet treats that people would get in for a party. Pumpkin flavoured foods came rock bottom of the list (8%), as Halloween party-goers looked forward to their favourite party flavours – strawberries and cream (38%), triple chocolate (35%) sticky toffee (34%) and cookies with cream (33%).

The Delicious Dessert Company has added a fun twist to its Halloween range with two new limited-edition desserts: Mummified Eclairs and Cookies & Scream Cheesecakes, available at Tesco. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party, indulging in a cosy night in or simply fancy a treat, these eerie yet irresistible desserts are perfect for the occasion.

The Mummified Eclair is a hauntingly good creation, featuring delicate choux pastry filled with a rich chocolate mousse, encased in a frighteningly good white chocolate lacing. The Cookies & Scream Cheesecakes features a rich cocoa biscuit crumb, loaded with luscious vanilla-flavoured cheesecake mixed with cookie pieces, all topped with a rich chocolate ganache and finished with spooktacular cookie crumbs. 

Claire Smith, Head of Insight at The Delicious Dessert Company said: “Despite all the traditional, scary celebrations, most people today want to enjoy Halloween in a very different way. The clocks have just gone forward and the Autumn Budget may be about to hit the pocket – but Halloween this year is a time for people to have fun and to enjoy being different. At The Delicious Dessert Company, we have come up with fresh ideas for Halloween that offer a twist on well-known classic desserts – and are perfect for those seeking something a bit more adventurous with a spooky twist this Halloween.”