Here’s the gist of what’s happening with a prayer…

As Halloween approaches, the National Retail Federation estimates that $3.6 billion will be spent on candy worldwide, marking an uptick in sales since a low between 2020-2021. Read this story to see if your favorite candy ranks in the top ten. Number three may surprise you! While candy indulgence is a staple of Halloween, the story reminds readers of the biblical warnings against gluttony and encourages moderation.

Dear Lord, as Halloween approaches, we are reminded of the simple joys like candies, yet we also reflect on the values and moderation You teach us. May we enjoy the sweetness of the season without losing sight of the everlasting satisfaction that comes only from You. Bless the families participating in festivities, and may the holiday be a time of safe, wholesome fun for all. Amen.

Sweet News: Halloween Candy Rankings!

Halloween is approaching, and we understand that, in the Christian community, celebrating this spooky holiday can be controversial. This season, despite all the cute costumes and school parades for kids, also showcases a darker side of the world. It can be a time when darkness and sin are celebrated and embraced. To combat this, many churches nationwide have opted to throw their own “Trunk or Treat” or “Harvest Festival” to provide a wholesome alternative for families. Wherever you find yourself on the Halloween celebration spectrum, there’s one inescapable and unifying trend on October 31st - we all eat more candy!

The National Retail Federation estimates that shoppers worldwide will spend $3.6 billion on Halloween candy this year when all is said and done. That’s a lotta Snickers! This represents an upward trend since a low in 2020-2022. Wonder what happened during those two years to cause that….

Some Sweet & Spicy Trends
Before we get to the rankings, here are some trends on candy consumption! Some of them may surprise you.

- Candy Corn is actually in the top ten this year. But here’s our theory: very few people actually like the taste of candy corn. It’s just a perfect decoration for your Halloween-themed cupcakes and spooky charcuterie board.
- Hot Tamales have the edge on Skittles. It’s an underdog story nobody expected. Hot Tamales took a coveted position in the rankings over Skittles. People are opting for more spice this year!
- M&Ms and Reese’s are the heavyweight favorites. These are the two titans of candy. Each year, they go head-to-head for the number one ranking. Where will they land this year?

Onto the Rankings
While we toyed with the idea of giving our own rankings of candy, we remembered hope is our only bias. So let’s look at these rankings based on sales and hard-line facts!

#1 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - Out of those $3.6 Billion in candy sales, Reese’s accounts for $2 Billion of those sales worldwide. This candy has the secret recipe for sending the most dopamine to your brain: fat, salt, and sugar—the holy trinity of addictive foods.

#2 M&M’s - This beloved candy didn’t come close to hitting Reese’s this year but managed to separate itself from the rest of the pack (no pun intended) with sales of $626 Million this year. M&M’s took some controversial risks this year with marketing, possibly leading to a slight dip in projected sales.

#3 Hot Tamales - This one surprised us! This spicy and sweet candy inched out a competitor that has held this spot for quite some time. Who do you have to thank for Hot Tamales being so high? Minnesota and New Mexico - the two states that buy more Hat Tamales than any other candy (yes, even Reece’s!).

#4 Skittles - Knocked down a peg from the coveted number three rank, but they still remain king among the fruity candies, so they have that going for them. The states propping them up at #4? Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma tasted 245,000 pounds of the rainbow last year.

#5 Sour Patch Kids - Nebraska and New York have very little in common, but an unbreakable bond links them: their love for Sour Patch Kids. Both states consume more Sour Patch Kids than the others. These mischievous little guys are the only sour candies featured in the top ten, holding down the fort.

The Bottom Half:
#6 - Starburst
#7 - Hershey Kisses
#8 - Candy Corn
#9 - Hershey Mini Bars
#10 - Snickers

In case you were curious, we surveyed the PRAY.com team for their favorites. The top three were: 1.) Reese’s 2.) Snickers 3.) Skittles. Honorable mention: Sour Gummy Worms.

Reflection
Yep, we have a Biblical reflection on candy! The Bible can apply to anything. Here’s a familiar reflection you’ve most likely heard from us. The Bible is swift to warn us against the subtle sin of gluttony. It’s a sin that often flies under the radar since A.) we need food to survive, and B.) food is an integral part of culture. However, there’s caution in overindulgence. Philippians 3:19 talks about people’s god being their stomach. 1 Corinthians 10:7 warns against too much self-indulgence. Proverbs 23:21 says that gluttony sends us on a downward spiral. More verses abound, but the point is not to make food, treats, and indulgence our idols. Moderation is a key aspect of experiencing contentment and joy. Celebrate however the Lord leads you this season and enjoy a Reese’s to feel like a winner. But remember, Christ is the one who satisfies.

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.