Thread: Downsizing an annual Halloween display that's grown too big

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We've operated an annual Halloween display since 1984 and we've added to it each year, but now we're starting a family of our own & time constraints with job schedules won't permit us to operate a large display in 2007. It's with very mixed emotions that we've decided to downsize or not have it at all.

What do you recommend?

1) Not having a display at all. If so, how do you tell the annual visitors that you are no longer having it? Yard signs? Newspaper? Website notice?

2) Having a smaller display. Visitors will be extremely disappointed. How do you minimize the disappointment? Have only a few lighting effects & props?

Any recommendations would help. Anybody else ever have this problem?

We're extremely confused what to do and are sad to disappoint our annual visitors.

Thanks.

So sorry to hear about your downsizing and not sure what to recommend to you. We know exactly how you feel, since each year we always have people asking when we will be putting up our display. If you have a list of some of your props you will have for sale, would you please send it to us to see if we would like some of your items. Special thanks !

I have seen this with xmas displays over the years. Lots of people that were a destination one year had nothing the next. Some people get tired of traffic, for instance. Worry more about YOUR situation than others.

Put out what you feel comfortable with. If you are compelled to give notice, just make a sign for your display. Maybe one day you will put it all out again.

After the hassle last year, I will probably ask for help setting up this year or do less.

What exactly is a professional partier? Is that kinda like Will Ferrell from that SNL sketch?

So sorry to hear that you can't have your usual display; but if you have space, why don't you hang on to your props for now? In a few years, maybe your schedule will be better, and many children think it's just too cool to live in the local 'haunted house'. I don't have any children myself, so maybe I'm talking out of place; but a lot of my relatives kids would love to come live with me during Halloween season! Children have such great imaginations too....you might even find that they really give you great ideas for your haunt. It would be something to keep them busy, and you could work together as a family.
In the meantime, if you feel that you should notify your 'fans', perhaps just a small display with a notice by the fence would do. It would give them something to look at, and explain the situation at the same time; I think you'll find that most people are understanding of 'family'.
Remember; kids do grow out of infancy, and schedules do sometimes get easier. I wish you the best of luck for the future.

A garage sized storage shed goes for $60/mo here, not sure what your local rates are. That's a lot cheaper than building a storage, and you could hold on to your your stuff until you know for sure if you want to get out completely.

Good luck whatever you do.

Hmmm... Tough call. Personally, I'd scale back and mix up some of the existing props and such instead of going nuts making anything new. That's just me though; I just can't imagine a Halloween without a cemetery in the front yard and at least one animated prop spooking up a window somewhere

It's hard with a little one; I won't lie to ya. My DD will be 4 in June, and when either DH or I are working on Halloween stuff, the other is watching her. It's funny--it's harder now that she's older than when she was really little. Infants, while demanding, are at least stationary. Toddlers that want to be underfoot are a different matter. There is no working on props in the house these days!!!

Like Wilbret said, do what you're comfortable with, not what the neighborhood expects. Whatever your decision, notify folks in whatever means you feel would be the most appropriate, to set their expectations properly. Who knows, some of the neighbors might volunteer to help set up and take down if they really like your display and don't want to see it go?

Yeah, I can't imagine not putting anything out in the front yard or not having the FCG flying around in the front window so maybe we'll scale it back and downsize considerably. The visiting children would be so disappointed without anything. What type of reactions do you expect from my visitors that have expected more & more? Something like, 'Wow, you had more last year' or 'This year really stinks'. This is pretty emotional stuff. Am I right? I feel bad for those that travel some distance to come & see it so I'll post a message on our website & maybe a sign at the end of our street stating the situation. I gotta hold on to my precious supplies for future use even though my wife wants to call in the dumpster truck! Oh no!

I know its hard but start small again and rotate threw the props. We actually recruited one of our mothers to stay at the house and hand out candy for the few years that we took the kids tot. We then took turns staying home alternating years. Believe it or not we then had to set a rule that the kids could not stay home untill they were 12. Heck last year our granddaughter inspired my to what is my best prop yet. The kids being 9,13,19 and a <1 year granddaughter. Patience those first few years seem rough but in the end its all worth it.

Originally Posted by Partiers.com

Yeah, I can't imagine not putting anything out in the front yard or not having the FCG flying around in the front window so maybe we'll scale it back and downsize considerably. The visiting children would be so disappointed without anything. What type of reactions do you expect from my visitors that have expected more & more? Something like, 'Wow, you had more last year' or 'This year really stinks'. This is pretty emotional stuff. Am I right? I feel bad for those that travel some distance to come & see it so I'll post a message on our website & maybe a sign at the end of our street stating the situation. I gotta hold on to my precious supplies for future use even though my wife wants to call in the dumpster truck! Oh no!

I would just put out as much as you feel comforable with. Some people may be slightly disappointed, but thats to be expected. Having at least something out is better than nothing

And definitely hang onto your Halloween supplies...your wife shouldn't expect you to throw it away or get rid of it...c'mon!