Last year, Americans spent $6.8 billion on various aspects of Halloween.

The genuis of marketers has been they've figured out that adult costumes and party decorations can be just as profitable (and more expensive) than kids. They've also figured out that Halloween decorations can be just as colorful (and even have a wider range of options) as Christmas.

And now ...

It is estimated that folks will spend more than $370 million on pet costumes.

So, it has come to this.

We will see some kids dressed as their favorite creature (I'm predicting Big Bird is about to make a comeback) and pets dressed as their master's favorite human character. I can see many dogs and cats as "Honey Boo Boo" (and actually you may be able to understand the animals better).

And the folks at Disney World handed out 217 tons of candy last year in their "Not so Scary" Halloween festival.

So both the trick and the treat is with the marketing.