Aussies spellbound by Halloween despite doorknock dread

Eight-year-old twins Theo and Isabella are among millions of Australians finalising their spookiest attire to hit the streets on Saturday.  Halloween has been part of the Sydney twins' festive celebrations since they were three, says dad Peter Pippen, and there's no sign of it slowing down any time soon.. "Nearly every other house is decorated and there's throngs of kids with their parents going up and down our streets," Mr Pippen told AAP.. "When they see all the other kids dressed up in costumes they want to do that too."  More than half of Australians are expected to celebrate Halloween in some way this year, according to fresh research from YouGov..

That's despite almost 70 per cent of Australians surveyed believing Halloween is an unnecessary US import.. The study found older Australians are most likely to oppose Halloween, with 80 per cent of baby boomers stating they'd prefer trick-or-treaters to skip their homes.. "Older Australians were not as focused on the US for their popular culture as younger Australians are.  "Historically we've looked to the United Kingdom," United States Studies Centre American Studies academic director Dr Rodney Traveira told AAP..

The older generation's resistance to Americanisation is not as strong amongst young people, Dr Traveira said.. "I think that the ship has sailed on it being dismissed and resisted as something too American for Australia," Dr Traveira said.. "Though it does read as an American sort of holiday now, no one country owns spookiness and getting dressed up in fun costumes and eating sweets." The holiday has become a half a billion dollar venture, with Australians tipped to spend $510 million on costumes, decorations and sweets this year according to research from Roy Morgan and the Australian Retail Council..

That figure is up $10 million, or two per cent, from last year, with the average spending among Halloween enthusiasts rising to $117.. Victoria is forecast to record the highest average spending, with fans set to spend roughly $136 each on the holiday.. Melbourne woman Lanah estimates she has dropped $15,000 this year alone to transform her 500 sqm property into a spooky manor for thousands of trick-or-treaters to enjoy..

"It's been about six years now and ever since then I've just been buying lots and lots of extra things every single year," she told AAP.. An almost four metre skeleton, a 2.75 metre spider and a giant inflatable maze are among the props the 34-year-old has set-up for a two-day Halloween extravaganza.. With the help of her neighbours, Lanah is preparing to welcome thousands of Halloween enthusiasts onto her property for a night of terrifying fun..

"It just brings so many people together and it's a nice community thing," she said.. Australian Associated Press.