“Ho Ho Ho” used to be the jolly laughter associated with Santa Claus and Christmas time. Now it is a count-off of the costumed women who walk by on Halloween. VIDEO: Students give their thoughts on how sexual Halloween has become.

The haunting holiday has been reduced to an excuse for people, especially women, to prance around in sexually suggestive attire.

Apparently, pumpkins and ghosts are too juvenile. Most women’s costumes are a recipe of bust-enhancing necklines, mini hems and a generous helping of fishnets. Spirit Halloween, a seasonal company that sets up shop every fall in select cities, markets such costumes. Its website, SpiritHalloween.com, flashes a banner that reads “Sexy and sassy women’s costumes.” There are even departments dedicated the skimpy outfits. “Leg Avenue” is a collection of costumes that are either skin-tight or have hems the hit above mid-thigh. The more general category of “Sexy Halloween Costumes” showcases getups like a “Sexy Indian” or a “Hot Firelady.” When women purchase these costumes, they are literally buying into age-old degradation. Please, have a little dignity, ladies. Scott Emmerman, co-vice chairman of the Halloween Industry Association and president of sales of In Character Costumes, is an expert in the corporate aspect of sexy costuming. “Of course, (the HIA does not) condone any practices of aggressive sex or excessive drinking and partying,” he said. “The designs for the market are shifted to a sexy costume for women. The French Maid silhouette is still very popular. It’s a very broad concept of sexy. But as long as it’s done with a level of class and respect, it’s fine.” Even though Emmerman’s job focuses on the commercial side of the holiday, he still recognizes the concerns regarding sexy costumes. “I have a daughter myself. The concern lies with the ‘tweens’ who want to be like their older sisters,” he said. College-age adults are old enough to make sound decisions, yet they often choose to wear a scrap of material and call it a costume. Being sexy for the sake of sex may not be the only motivator behind the costumes, though. “The holiday has become an escape. The economy is bad, people are out of work, times are really tough for lots of people out there,” Emmerman said. That could easily justify today’s trend of busty ghouls. But in a 2006 article in USA Today, CEO of BuyCostumes.com Jalem Getz explained that getting your hands on a sexy costume is hardly a challenge. Money is not an issue, especially for the modern “recessionista.” “You can take an item that five years ago was not sexy whatsoever. Add translucent sleeves, make it low cut, put a slit up the side, and it becomes very sexy,” Getz said. With simple steps like that, imagining what last year’s ghost bed sheet costume could turn into is a ho-rrifying concept. It is disgusting to see women basically turning tricks, just to be called eye candy.

What’s the use in asking “trick or treat?” if all the goodies are hanging out for grabs?