C:
Should you measure the success of your Halloween decorations by the sheer amount of candy distributed or by how much fun your family has scaring the hell out of the neighbors?
At first glance, you will think that I spent a crazy amount of time and gasoline driving all over creation trying to find all these scary, spooky images. Well, not exactly.
This is the house of my very good friend M. In my opinion M. has unfaltering taste; I'm even flattered when she picks something up in my store and exclaims, "I love this!" (not knowing that I had her in mind when I bought it in the first place.) M. and I even share the same birthday week, with our birthdays only days apart (and, many years!) it has become a tradition to celebrate it together every year. I guess you would say, M. and I are October birthday kindred spirits. Every year when I was a little girl, I got to have a Halloween themed birthday party with really cute scary treats and games. So, I guess you would say as an adult I have never outgrown the idea of Halloween being one of the best holidays ever!
Now, in M.'s case she has parlayed Halloween into a full on family event. What might have started as something cute for the kids is now some serious Halloween loot. Her collection is years in the making, collected over time with the same care and enthusiasm that she uses when selecting all the lovelies that are in her beautiful home.
When I called her last week to ask if it would be O.K. to shoot some pictures for the blog, she exclaimed, "I can't wait for you to see our new dancing ghosts! I just got them and can't wait to put them around the cemetery. And, wait until you see my new pumpkin from Watkins Culver - they finally got someone to reproduce that one that they've had in the window for years. It's going outside my bedroom!"
This is what Halloween looks like when the parents are as excited about the holiday as the kids. And, just remember when picking out your Halloween decorations - you can never be too scary. Gruesome is a good thing. And, no need to edit - more is better. And, if you must - include the children.
May I introduce you to the modern day Munster Family - or as I affectionately call her M.
Upon first glance, what a pretty house (looks like it should be on the cover of Veranda Magazine.)
Now, let me take you on a little tour. You might want to turn the overhead light on in the room you are sitting in because you are in for a real Stephen King-like scare!
Decorating Tip: I think the key to really good Halloween decorations is that everywhere you look you are freaked out - at every turn.
Gates of Hell
Driveway to Hell
Jack and His Little Friend
(Notice cute hanging-upside-down bat)
Window Treatments:
Count D. - Just back from Transylvania.
"Your father just got home - he took the red eye."
Mummy Dearest
"Yes children, of course you can play in the street. Mummy needs to go change her dressing and paint her face."
Mummy in her new Herve Leger dress.
"Children, don't forget to feed your rat."
Lurch's Cousin - Larch
"Children, snack time!. It's your favorite - deviled spider eggs."
At Every Turn - Freaked Out !!!:
Rabid Dogs
"Is that one of Cynthia's Briards?"
This Year's Halloween Block Party Chairman.
...last seen running around with his head cut off!
Gossip-y Neighbor
"That Gladys Kravitz never shuts up."
Pet Rat
"I smell candy. I'm so hungry, I could eat someone's big toe."
Family Pet Arachnid
"Would someone put Itsy-Bitsy back in her cage?!"
Damsel In Distress
"Mom, someone's stupid head is in Itsy-Bitsy's cage!"
Who Says Red-Heads Don't Have More Fun.
"Has anyone seen my husband, he might have lost his head earlier?"
Looming Overhead:
Scary Yoda Guy
Chain of Fools... I mean Ghouls
Mr. and Mrs. Smith... aka Brangelina
Lawn Ornaments:
Those Zombies Sure Are Early Risers.
M. tells me, "For the really good scary stuff - go to Frankels. But, my new, very favorite decoration is my pumpkin, I got him this year at Watkins Culver!
(Fiberglass pumpkin from Watkins Culver looks great outside or inside - and look how well he looks mixed in with 18th century French antiques! I want one, too.)
Parenting Tip: Lesson learned - You can have the gorgeous, beautiful house and still make your kids really, really happy. Life doesn't always have to be so serious. Sometimes it's kind of fun to let that little kid inside you out to join in all the reindeer games (oops, that's from that other holiday.) In other words, loosen up a bit - buy a scary pumpkin or eat too much candy, why not ???!!! You can be overly perfect another day, let your kids have this one. Or, at least pretend it's all for them.
