A study of 1,000 mums and dads of children up to 12 years old found 50 per cent treat parenting like a competition, including sports day (34 per cent), social media likes (26 per cent) and bake sales (26 per cent).
And 53 per cent want to out-do others at Halloween specifically – by providing the best sweets for trick or treaters (34 per cent), hosting the best party (31 per cent) and even curating the creepiest playlists (27 per cent).
The research was commissioned by long-life bakery brand Baker Street and found mums and dads spend an average of £22.76 on their youngster’s fancy dress outfits and £26.02 on home-made garments.
A further £28.36 is forked out on decorations for the home and £26.04 on food or ingredients when hosting.
And 49 per cent admitted they have become more competitive about the spooky seasonal event since becoming a parent.
Chris McLaughlin, commercial director at Baker Street said: “The results show some humorous competition between parents around a celebration which is mainly for their kids.
“In the days of social media everything is more competitive because people want the most traction on content of their home, fashion and family, Halloween is clearly another time of the year to embrace this.
“Parents are also keen to impress when it comes to food and drink, including their table spread if hosting for others.
“Whether it’s home baking treats or making hot dogs look like ‘mummy’s fingers’, it’s an important time to impress the family – and indeed the competition - with food.”
Halloween is bigger than ever before
The study also found a fifth of mums and dads start planning for Halloween as early as the second week of September.
A proud third (34 per cent) said their child has won an award or competition for their spooky fancy dress.
But 27 per cent admitted they have made their child wear a Halloween outfit the youngster wasn’t keen on.
A further 37 per cent typically over-buy sweets for trick or treaters, with 20 per cent agreeing they aim to have the best confectionary in the area.
Three in 10 (31 per cent) agreed Halloween is a much bigger occasion today than it was a decade ago and 20 per cent believe other parent’s competitiveness has rubbed off on them.
Those polled via OnePoll typically spend October 31st taking their child trick or treating (35 per cent), attending or hosting a gathering with friends (33 per cent) and baking sweet goods (25 per cent).
Among the snacks parents make for Halloween were pizzas (23 per cent), cookies (22 per cent) and hot dogs (21 per cent).
An average of 43 minutes is spent making themed food while 47 minutes are committed to creating outfits.
Spooky recipe ideas
When it comes to shouting about the spooky season on social media, parents have posted content of their kids in fancy dress (34 per cent) and their table spread including décor and food (30 per cent).
A further 40 per cent believe mums and dads today are more competitive than previous generations, because of boasting on social media (50 per cent) and having more pressure (44 per cent).
More than a fifth (22 per cent) believe their child also sees Halloween as a competition, as well as feeling excited (42 per cent) and enthusiastic (27 per cent) about the event.
Chris McLaughlin added: “It’s clear from the research that Halloween is a growing occasion – especially for families.
“That’s why we’ve teamed up with child’s nutritionist and author Annabel Karmel to help parents impress their kids and the competition with spooky recipe ideas.
“So whether you’re up for the competition like parents in Wales (67 per cent) or more laid back about the occasion like parents in the West Midlands (35 per cent), we’re always there help you be the host with the most this Halloween.”
Discover spooky recipes here.
