Dedham, MA -- It’s official. Halloween is big business and it’s not just due to costume and candy sales. iParty, one of the country’s largest party and Halloween retailers, points to the growing segment of unique, not-for-the-squeamish products that customers are coming in early to purchase. “We’ve seen a true evolution in Halloween from a retail standpoint,” says Sal Perisano, CEO of iParty stores and iparty.com. “We’re selling $150 Edwardian Butlers with Moving Mouths, 8-foot tall Standing Latex Pirates and more bloody, squishy, plastic brains, hands and feet than I care to comment on!”

Some of these “different” products include:

The Skull Fogger – This $44.99 small fog machine shoots fog through the skull’s nose. The perfect accompaniment to every fine dinner party!

Large Edwardian Butler – Straight out of Dickens, this $149.99 life-size butler with moving mouth and pupil-less eyes will greet guests and probably scare half of them away.

8 foot standing Pirate – This $69.99 latex pirate has a skull for a head and a hook for a hand. High-fiving not recommended!

Create Your Own Tombstone Kit – For only $9.99 you get a carvable tombstone, marker and cutting tool. Think of the fun you’ll have writing “RIP” followed by your enemy’s name.

Absolutely disgusting, squishy, bloody, plastic Brain, Hands, Feet, Heart, Eyes, Fingers and Ears. Do we really need to describe? $9.99 each.

25” Long-Stemmed Roses – They’re not what you think. These are BLACK roses. Not appropriate for Valentine’s Day! $1.99 each.

Perisano says, “We have seen a tremendous increase in the sales of these fringe items, but of course, our strongest sellers remain our costumes.”

Here are the Top Costumes for 2006 from iParty:

Jack Sparrow
“Aaaarrgh”. The pirate captain is number one in the box office and number one at iParty!


Superman
The man of steel soars close to the top of our list!


Batgirl & Supergirl
These female superheros fly by the competition!


Evil Jesters
These scary costumes are sure to be the life of any party!


One Very Evil Couple
The Red Hot Devil and Vampiress are heating their way up the list!


Scream
Still popular, still scary, still on the list!


The Walt Disney Leading Ladies
Belle, Snow White, Cinderella & Lil’ Mermaid


Dora the Explorer
Or as we say in Boston, Dora the Explorah!


Power Rangers
From Mighty Morphin to Ninja Storm, the Power Rangers continue to save the universe and stay on iParty’s list!


Dorothy
There’s no place like iParty, there’s no place like iParty!

Perennial top sellers - Witches, Skeletons, Angels, Pirates, Ghouls, Devils and Ninjas


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