Halfway to Halloween

Last year I delighted and horrified my neighbours with my last-minute Halfway to Halloween display. You've seen it before -- I have it posted on my Etsy, blog, and website because I was oh-so-tickled with the simple, magic result. 

My display consisted of orange lights, one skeleton, one skeleton dog, a foam pumpkin, and very last-minute sign I printed from my computer and stitched together with packing tape. 

The results were magic, my neighbours confused and appalled, and my Halloween heart oh-so-happy.

This year, I want you to join me. 

On the evening of Friday, April 30th, after all your neighbours have tucked themselves into their beds, put on your spookiest sneaking clothes and set up a mini Halloween display. 

This doesn't have to be big -- you can even take a single window in your home and do it up (I mean, who wouldn't love to wake up to blood smears that read "Halfway to Halloween?"). All you need is your Halloween heart and a ounce of creativity...plus maybe a bit of help sorting through those Halloween boxes if you've put everything away (but who among us puts Halloween away in its entirety?). 

Ideas to help you get started:

- Print out, order, write in fake blood, or create a sign announcing what's going on: because this is now going to be one of my annual traditions, I ordered a vinyl from FASTSIGNS sign last month. Last year I took one of the incredible fonts Chad Savage has generously shared and printed my own sign. You can find his amazeballs and free Halloween fonts here. They are also available on DaFont.

- Preview the theme of your haunt this year: my mini display will feature aliens as our theme for the year is Outer Space.

- Bring out the lights: even a single strand of orange or purple lights really helps set the mood of your display, so light it up!

- Keep it simple: aim to remind people of what's coming and the mischief you have planned for the days ahead without going full Halloween. It's a teaser. 

- Put the display up the night of Friday, April 30th when no one is around to see. The surprise and delight of discovery on what had begun as an ordinary morning really adds to your whole presentation. Leave your display up all day on May 1st, and then take it down very late at night that evening. This will give your mini display a magical feeling, a sense of "was it real?" that everyone who sees it will remember.  

I'd love to see your pictures! So don't forget to post them with the hashtag #HalfwayToHalloween! or send me an email with one of your photos.

Happy Haunting!