Trick or treat…or just parents on the prowl?
Halloween might be marketed as a child’s paradise of costumes, cobwebs and treats, but let’s be honest: grown-ups are just as spellbound by the sweet stuff. According to a nationwide poll by snack brand Whaoo!, 8 in 10 parents admit they’ll be raiding their child’s snack drawer this spooky season.
The survey of 2,000 Brits reveals that 54% of households name parents as the biggest snack stealers. But they’re not alone. 28% of kids sneak their own treats, while 2% of grandparents and even 2% of pets have been caught red-pawed. I’m not sure how Rover unwraps a crêpe, but I respect the hustle.
Jokes aside, it’s all part of Halloween’s growing popularity – 1 in 5 people now say it’s their favourite time of year, with the spooky season creeping up on Christmas in terms of cultural clout.
So why are adults so tempted by the trick-or-treat haul? Whaoo! says it’s all about nostalgia. Their research uncovered the top five snacks that remind Brits of childhood:
| Rank | Nostalgic snack | % of Brits Who Chose It |
| 1 | Sweets | 43% |
| 2 | Pick ‘n Mix | 38% |
| 3 | Chocolate | 34% |
| 4 | Biscuits | 23% |
| 5 | Crisps | 21% |
To celebrate the season, Whaoo! has launched limited-edition Halloween-themed Chocolate Filled Crêpes. Wrapped in spooky designs featuring cauldrons, cobwebs and a mummified giraffe (yes, really), they’re available from just £1.62 – that’s 27p per treat.
“Halloween is one of those moments where everyone, young and old, gets involved in the fun – the snacks especially,” says Jean-Pascal Allemand, managing director at Whaoo!. “Our Chocolate Filled Crêpes have always been a family favourite, and this limited-edition Halloween pack brings some extra fun to snack time. It’s a treat that’s both playful and delicious – no tricks here.”
So for stores stocking up for Halloween, they shouldn’t just think about the kids. Think about the parents, the grandparents… maybe even the dog. And if families want to keep the Whaoo! crêpes safe, they might need a hiding spot more secure than the snack drawer.
After all, in the battle of trick versus treat, parents are winning.
Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
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