Thread: What's your favorite aspect of home haunting?

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I just enjoy being a part of keeping the tradition alive. It's quite sad to see the troops of ToT's walk the streets all dressed up and doing their part, only to have almost all the houses undecorated and uninviting. How totally unispiring! This is what happens when no one cares all too much. It can be said that the kids are only interested in the candy anyway. Perhaps in a way, but I think mostly they don't know what they're missing or they just get used to low [or no] expectations- and that's sad. The fun of it all for me is being part of raising those expectations- providing the missing thrill for them. Watching the wonderment of all who visit. Hearing them say the house looks awesome and knowing they'll look forward to visiting 'that cool haunted house' next year. Think about it- that's memories that not only last all year for a kid, but many times for a LIFETIME. I know I remember the great houses I went to, even now at 46 years old! That sticks with you. It's fun and fond memories and they are all too short on supply these days.

Keeping the tradition alive. I know through my efforts I've inspired MANY kids to do just that...even when they're all grown up. There's a lot of fun in it all, but THAT's the most rewarding fun for me.

Dan

Keeping the traditions alive is tough with no "Donors".
"We need some "New Blood"!
"Don't look at me!"
You hit it right when you said memories and expectations should be created and fostered to keep Halloween alive in people's minds.
I have been pretty successful in doing that with my haunt, The Ravens Grin Inn, but then maybe I "cheated" expanding the season to 365 nights a year!
I love entertaining people, impressing them, scaring them, just a little along that route.
I also love the on-going challenge and stimulation of adjusting the tour experience for whatever age and kind of group is looking at me. One size doesnot "fit all".(Although no blood, gore found here)
We do have fun here, spread around from me and my October helpers and back to the paying customers again, where it should be.
Last October we got unexpectedly busy one night, my Wife called a local woman who has helped out some in the past.
As a macho, muscle-bound young man walked toward her she swung out this 99cent rumage sale gorrilla costume on a hinged stick....
He jumped, screamed and carried on so, that when the dust had finally "cleared.".... the woman swinging the monkey on a stick had to return home because She had Peed Herself Laughing At HIM!
Yes,it was more of the business and associated pure fun of creating those lasting memories!!!

I love to see the looks on the little ones face's and parent's lol!

Hey Gym, I think at some point or another we have all experienced, THE LOOK you know the one that says.
Your crazy
I'm sure your money could be used for somthing more important
Get a life
Your missing out on Love (Just because I'm single) spending so much time on Halloween.
I don't understand why Halloween is so important to you
Grow up your to old for this

And the list goes on, either I read to much into THE LOOK or I can read minds, which ever one it is I don't let it get me down. I have always enjoyed decorating for every holiday, but now that I have my own house, Single and free of anyone that I have to account to, can buy a prop if I want to, stay up to the early morning hours working on brain storm.
It doesn't matter what other people think, as long as I happy thats what matters.

A few days after Halloween 2009 I heard a little knock at the front door. When I opened the front door there was a girl that was probably 10 years old standing there. Her bike was at the base of the front steps. She asked if I was the one that had done the "Silva Cemetery". I told her that indeed it was me and she told me that she thought it was great and she handed me something. It was a certificate that she had made that said I had won scariest house.



I had been a little disappointed with the turnout because of the rain, but this just made it totally worth it. I think that hearing people say nice things is good feeling, but I think the main reason I enjoy doing a yard haunt is having an outlet for my creative side that I don't get to typically express the rest of the year.

Originally Posted by yardhauntjunkie

A few days after Halloween 2009 I heard a little knock at the front door. When I opened the front door there was a girl that was probably 10 years old standing there. Her bike was at the base of the front steps. She asked if I was the one that had done the "Silva Cemetery". I told her that indeed it was me and she told me that she thought it was great and she handed me something. It was a certificate that she had made that said I had won scariest house.



I had been a little disappointed with the turnout because of the rain, but this just made it totally worth it. I think that hearing people say nice things is good feeling, but I think the main reason I enjoy doing a yard haunt is having an outlet for my creative side that I don't get to typically express the rest of the year.

Now that is too cool!

yardhauntjunkie, that would really touch my heart, just the fact that Halloween was over and she felt that you deserved an award how special. If it was me I would probably frame it and put it in my office.

Originally Posted by Arlita

yardhauntjunkie, that would really touch my heart, just the fact that Halloween was over and she felt that you deserved an award how special. If it was me I would probably frame it and put it in my office.

I had it hanging on the fridge for a while. Now it is hanging in the home office as a source of inspiration. It definitely was a great feeling. I had a huge grin for days after it happened. Every time I see it, I chuckle.

arlita, my feelings exactly, i would frame it. that is to special

For me, there are a few different aspects that make it so good.
First, there's the initial anticipation when you jump in and start working on your first props in the spring or summer.

There's the thrill of finding that one-of-a-kind thing at a yard sale that would be absolutely PERFECT for making into a prop (usually this is a eureka moment, not something you were even looking for).

Then, there's the satisfaction you feel when you finally finish that prop that you've been sweating over and cussing at for the last 3 weeks.

There's the excitement of setting out your first props.

And then the day you do your final set-up, with your Halloween playlist blasting, reverberating throughout the neighborhood, as you frantically try to troubleshoot those last-minute glitches and make sure everything works right.

Then, there's THE moment. That moment when the sun is just setting, everything is ready to go, the candy bowl is filled...and you take a deep breath and relax, taking everything in before the onslaught begins.

I also like it when the parents AND the kids pay compliments on your haunt. It's great when they say "We were wondering what you'd do this year".

I'd have to say that my favorite moment of all time happened last Halloween. The lady across the street from me called 2 days after Halloween. She said her granddaughter was seriously ill on Halloween, and missed it, but they were going to have a Halloween party for her on the following weekend at her fathers house. She said her granddaughter absolutely loved my tombstones and cross, and asked if she could use them for her party. How could I say no?
The next day her father stopped by and we loaded up his truck with the tombstones, and I also loaned them a few foam skulls, some plastic spiders and a package of spiderwebs. When he returned them the following Monday, he said "This really made her Halloween!"
To me, that alone made all my efforts worthwhile.