Thread: What Did you Learn This Year?

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Every year, I figure out how to do something a little better. It's not always a giant breakthough moment...just something that smooths the way next year.

This year, I learned NOT to place 'baby' treats down low where bigger TOTs can STEAL them. I thought it would be nice to have a little table with some things for 'itty bitties,' only to have some kid who was WITH HIS MOTHER WHO WATCHED HIM DO IT take the toys meant for babies. This was AFTER he already GOT his treat!. My mask did not give me enough peripheral vision to stop them...another lesson learned.

I also learned to carry a multi tool or knife while setting up...along with some long wire twist ties. That came in super handy and saved me quite a few trips back into the house.

This was also the first year I figured out to use 24" rebar to hold up my thicker foam tombstones. I simply had to impale them on the thin metal and they stood up to the wind better than ever.

What did YOU learn this year?

Blue and green lights can be higher wattage than orange or white. Either that, or use the blue and green lights to illuminate the white tombstones, and the brighter ones to illuminate the dark gray stones.

Get someone to hand out treats who has both hands free. Our friends came, but this year they have some foster babies who needed to be held. A number of near-adults took that as a cue to dig great handfuls of candy out of the bowl. It's really disgraceful when someone that old elects to play pig.

Have a party the Saturday before, so we can concentrate on running the haunt on Halloween itself, instead of trying to mix general dinner socializing in with the chaos.

I learned:

- prepping needs to start sooner.
- rebar is da-shyznit compared to wooden dowels.
- having parents along doesn't guarantee good behavior from either adults or children.
- I learned that I need to leave work about noon on the 31st because traffic was backed up for over two hours on the way home. (I thought I was going to miss it!)
- This Internet forum seems to be one of the last bastions of Halloween Spirit.

1) I took advice from this forum and used rebar to hold my in my tombstones and silhouettes. Even with the strong winds we had, they stayed firmly in place.

2) I also was reminded (not so much taught) that my husband is a real trooper and such a willing and enthusiastic prop builder. Thankfully he's talented with woodwork, wiring, etc.

I get an idea, we discuss it, we determine if it's viable and make any necessary design modifications, he builds it and I finish off any required painting or artwork. Then, we set it all up together.

It's great! I love him very much!

I learned that puppies and the dog costumes that make them look like little people don't go well together. My puppy managed to chew off the little arms in a matter of minutes.

Originally Posted by LHALLOW

I learned that puppies and the dog costumes that make them look like little people don't go well together. My puppy managed to chew off the little arms in a matter of minutes.

That's too funny! I can completely relate; I have a four month old Labrador Retriever puppy and attempting any costume, scarf, etc., would end in destruction!

LOL

I learned that lighting really makes the haunt. I had 6 floods out, and it looked great.

I also learned that jumping out and scaring people is fun, very very fun.

I learned cold weather keeps some TOTs away!

I also learned too many things plugged in blow circuits. Six times on Halloween. Time for an electrician.

Originally Posted by jbrimaco

I learned cold weather keeps some TOTs away!

I also learned too many things plugged in blow circuits. Six times on Halloween. Time for an electrician.

Oops! LOL

#1 - Next year we are going to separate the Treat area from the Haunt itself. Fortunately, we have LOTS of space.
#2- Fence off the Graveyard.
#3- Have schoolteachers control the kids outside. A teacher dropped by before we got going this year and offered to help. She was a Godsend.
#4- Outside lighting ROCKS!