Thread: Fo you change themes? If so, how often?

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This is our second year for the "Dead End Die-ner" We decorated the garage as a diner and both years my wife was a carhop and I was Elvis the short order cook. We've added to the haunt this year, but the additions weren't really themed into it. So, do you try to create a theme (like pirates) and if so, how long does that theme run?

Of course, the TOTers aren't that particular - they like seeing the "neat stuff" however its displayed - this is more for us.

EDIT- That should be "DO you change themes... Sorry 'bout that!

I think if you stick with a general theme then things usally will turn out better. You can add a few things that aren't fiting to your teme but don't over do it cause then it will ook like you just threw abunch of stuff all over.

We just change the party theme, not the decor.

Now, we typically add items to fit the party or our costume choice.
I can't imagine buying or making new stuff at this point.

Well, this is our 3rd year doing a yard haunt, and we've had a pirate theme each year. From the beginning we've planned to change themes every few years. I want a new theme next year (the haunted pyramid - mummies and dead explorers!) while my husband wants at least one year where we don't have to build anything new. (I've told him that that will never happen - we'll always have new prop ideas that we can't resist building.) We do build our props with ideas for how to change the theme.

well lets see
first year simple... cardboard forest into witches house
second year... graveyard into dungeon
third year moved to new place bigger yard ...graveyard into dungeon
fourth year asked to move into parking garage... graveyard upstairs down into dungeon (each year some props were remade some were remodled some removed and a bunch added
fifth year... mad scientest lab in parking garage
sixth year back outside in parking lot... circus
this year back into the back yard graveyard/spider layer
next year change again...a few possible themes

yr.1 & 2... 10' wide by 25' long
yr.3 ... 25' by 25'
yr.4 ... 15' by 30' + graveyard
yr.5 ... 17' by 40'
yr.6 ...20' by 60'
this year small 20' by 25"

we use a lot of the same props by in different situations

Yes, either a theme or just Dark & Scary for my maze.

First two years, haunted dining and living room, last year turned entire downstairs to "outside" graveyard, this year the garage into graveyard. For Next year came up with idea last night of "Christmas" meets Halloween. Will use some of the props and add santa hats, garland, ice cycles hanging off everything, have all of my creatures reciting Christmas type "nightmare before christmas" type songs, snow on the ground, and my wife and I will dress like Sanat and Mrs. Claus. I can re-use almost everything and it will look completly different!!Also thought of surprising neighbors and party goers by hanging Christmas lights and mix my Christmas inflatibles with my Halloween inflatibles!!
Instead of big after Halloween sales, I will hit the after Christmas sales, and if I need anything as I'm setting up next year, most of the stores already have Christmas up while they set up thier Halloween stuff!! What do you think? any ideas???

I love to change themes as it keeps the creative juices flowing!!!

New theme every year

Did a couple of years before but really started the themes in 2000

2000 Charly Haze Headless guy from train etc.
2001 Space Odd-ity
2002 Addams Family
2003 Gnomes & Trolls
2004 Psycotic Circus
2005 Zombies
2006 Hollywood
2007 Murder Mystery

It is fun trying to fit in props from past years in to the new theme.