What a great prop idea this would be.

Image source, click here.

One decision I make every year when planning the Halloween set-up is if I want to focus more on creating an “old manor” feel to the place or to up the Halloween vibe with lights and decor. I usually opt to include an even balance between the two, which can definitely be tricky. When planning the graveyard, the thought of jack-o-lantern lights nearby somewhat ruins the “creepiness” factor for me. However, the thought that now goes through my mind is, why can’t this Manor be having a swinging Halloween soiree?

This photo sums it up:

Image source, click here
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Disney’s Haunted Mansion gives a great example as well, see here.

While browsing Flickr today, I stumbled upon a treasure of vintage Halloween photos that I think you’ll love. Here are a few:

View the stream on Flickr, click here.

Image source, click here.

Alfred Hitchcock presents nine short stories that are sure to make young readers shiver (while they get a good dose of some fine writing!). Includes “The Red-Headed League” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; “The Treasure in the Cave” by Mark Twain; “Jimmy Takes Vanishing Lessons” by Walter R. Brooks; “The Forgotton Island” by Elizabeth Coatsworth; “The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall”; and more. Accompanying the stories are the frightfully good two-color illustrations by Fred Banbery.

Official LEGION Movie Website

In December, the producer of the movie LEGION contacted me to put up his Christmas lights. My brother and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to be able to do this and think the end result came out quite nice. Below is a photo of his home. Let me know what you think and don’t forget to checkout LEGION in theaters January 22nd!

(click for larger image)

Found this photo in an old photo album and just had to scan it in. Unfortunately no date was attached, but if I had to guess I’d say it was taken mid to late 90’s.

As seen in my photostream on Flickr.

During my quest to find cool and interesting light bulbs and fixtures for my 2010 display, I came across this website which offers scented light bulbs. One of the scented bulbs in the collection is pumpkin spice.

View the complete collection, here.

Halloween and Christmas have always been two very magical times of the year for me. The sense of magic fills the air wherever you go. You feel as if anything is possible, if you truly just believe. From witches riding across the full moon on an All Hallows Eve night, to St. Nick flying in his sleigh across the northern sky guided by his team of reindeer. Both times of year, especially Christmas, have also brought our family closer together and created such everlasting memories.

So take a moment this season, to step outside and believe in the magic. Take joy in the little things, whether it be the glow from the Christmas lights lining the street, the crunch of the snow beneath your feet, the distance music from the wolves in the forest or the faint sound of sleigh bells, imagination or not, drifting through the crisp cool air. For it truly is the little things that help make any holiday grand.

I’d like to wish everyone a truly merry Christmas, may your holiday season be filled with love and joy, and of course a little spookiness.

The Polar Express