Just four more days until the big day and I still have so much decorating to do! I’m not sure how I’ll get it done. Here’ s a nighttime view of where I’m at so far.
And here’s the daytime view.
I keep the really spooky stuff – the open coffin, the gory bloody murder scene etc. under wraps with the blue tarp so as to not horrify innocent kidlets walking by on lovely sunny mornings such as this. The reason why I am so late this year is simple. The lengthy interviews and photo sessions with the press combined with the chitchat sessions with passing neighbours leaves little time to decorate.
“TRICK!”
Did I fool ya? Hope so. The above photos are of a house that’s situated just a mere broom ride away from ours – down the back lane and up to the left. The family erects the tarped areas in early October and works tirelessly on both weeknights and weekends to get their haunted horror show ready in time for October 31st. These pictures were taken last night and this morning.
Yes, as I mentioned in Hallowe’en Tips for the Novice Trick-or-Treater I am a huge fan of Hallowe’en. However, not this huge. Our Hallowe’en decorations tend to be on a much more modest scale.
The black cat, bats and pumpkin Stickies (very popular fundraiser item) have been a McKenzie fixture since Meredith was in the 3’s class at preschool in 1997. So much so, that it wouldn’t be Hallowe’en without them.
Just after I slapped them on the living room window a few days ago I fired off a text to my kids.
These were the immediate responses:
“MISSSS THISSS!“ and “I’m so glad you did the window!“
As we live at the top of a steep set of stairs, I always like to handsomely reward the goblins, witches and princesses who’ve made the trek. The “keeper of the door” hands out candy by the handful. In the beginning, we’d only see about eight kids per night; usually classmates of my two. However, with the growth of the afore-mentioned neighbour’s magnificent Hallowe’en effort, we get the benefit of multiple visitors. Last year we topped fifty!
Meredith started a great tradition a few years back. She took to decorating the front door.
If I can find her carefully stashed ziplock bag of empty chocolate bar and candy wrappers, I’ll continue on with this tradition this year. It’s always a big hit with both trick-or-treaters and parents; a delight in terms of the conversation department.
As mentioned in A Firecracker of a Hallowe’en we hold an annual dessert party and fireworks. This Thursday night the dessert party is a go but with Henry – the pyrotechnical guy – being away I think we may be limited to sparklers this year.
What’s the one thing I’ll definitely miss by not having my children home? Seeing the costumes they come up with. While they didn’t go out trick-or-treating in recent years, they did gussy up for parties and the grade 12 Hallowe’en breakfasts. Here are the gems they each wore to the latter when they were in grade 12.
I’ve heard rumors from both of them about the 2013 costume acquisitions but have yet to be privy to all the details. I’m fairly confident there’ll soon be a picture or two online.
Yes. Hallowe’en traditions. Long may they continue.
What are your Hallowe’en traditions? Are there some tricks you delight in conjuring up each October 31st? Do share. I’d love to hear.
10 Responses
Love the tradition Kelly ! What a great idea to decorate the front door, hope you can find the stash ! Hope you have a great Hallowe’en !
Jane! Welcome! Thank you. M has given me permission to search thoroughly the boxes under her bed. Apparently the bag of wrappers is in one of them. Good thing I’ve got a few days left.
WOW! That house!! I was honestly about to be like “Kelly, step away from the fake cobwebs!” 😉 I like your approach much better!-Ashley
Laughing over the “Kelly, step away from the cobwebs.” – So true. I have trouble enough with the real ones.
Those costumes are awesome! I love Meredith’s idea of decorating the door – advertising the goodies that might be handed out! I say you are in the perfect situation – neighborhood that includes super-decorated houses and draws trick or treaters to your door!
A house in our neighborhood goes all out, too. Last week I came around the corner and was pretty startled to see 2 “dead bodies” poking out from under a bush. I think they could use the blue tarp for a few more days so as not to draw attention from the authorities!
So clever Mo – the blue tarp is the answer. Even in the sane honest light of day these creatures are realer than real.
I have really good memories of Halloween from when I was a kid through the first 10 or so years we lived in this house. Now, the big church across the way stages a festival to lure the kids away from the evil of Halloween. Is that silly or what? Anyway, not nearly as much fun, so this year I’m living vicariously through you. 🙂
So fun Linda – yes, you are more than welcome to relive it through me. How silly indeed that they are trying to lure the kids away from “evil.” If anything – they’ll lure them away from church.
I’ve never seen the wrappers on the door idea. It’s brilliant! Perhaps will have to start that tradition. We are living in a new neighbourhood now and have no idea how many trick or treaters to expect. I’d better get stocked up on candies soon so they don’t run out. Happy halloween.
Happy Hallowe’en to you! I’m with you on the brilliancy of the door wrappers and am pretty sure it’s a Meredith original.