Thread: Problem...Can't let go.

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Does anyone else have this problem....friends, co-workers or family wanting to borrow your halloween decorations for their parties?
They just don't seem to understand why it is a problem. They want you to pack it all up, just after you unpacked it all and decorated your own house (for your own enjoyment), and bring it over to their house (a few days before the party) leaving your most prized beloved can't live without possessions on the planet, at their house, having others touch and fondle your beloved items. Just not having them displayed in your own home for those few days is just enough to drive me over to crazy land.

I've loaned out a few things to friends for their kid's parties. Not halloween parties but birthday parties. Makes them feel unique to have so many cool american halloween items at their dutch birthday parties.

Oh, slaz, I've never even considered this! Honestly, I can't say that there's a one of my friends or family who would be interested enough to ask for any of my decorations...but if they did I'd have to tell them...

...tell them...

after they walk to California and back on foot.

Id tell them "no", but I'll show you how I made them (or tell you where I bought them etc)

Yes this does drive me crazy!! I 1000000 % agree. There is this one family who we have known for quite awhile and have been to 1 or 2 of our parties, and who knows how much I LOVE HALLOWEEN. They recently moved to a house with quite a bit of land and now do a hayride, drive through a haunted barn, etc. Well, over the past two years we have had a bit of a falling out...and although we are "friendly" we are not really "friends" anymore. (long story) Their daughter is getting married and its not her fault we are not friends with her parents, and we are invited to the wedding. We went to their couples shower, and were talking to her mom about Halloween. I told them about my recent Craigs List purchase/gift, which included an amazing home made coffin lined with foam, and another foam coffin prop from Spirit which is awesome. We also have a black wooden coffin we bought a few years back. Well, they want to borrow one Halloween night...and I said, politely, "No" We are having our Party/Open House the Saturday night before Halloween (the 30th). We do this because we dont have a lot of kids in our neighborhood, and so we have friends bring them over after they are done TOT. Well, last year a lot of them came late, were tired, cranky, etc...and with Halloween being on a Sunday this year..we decided to do our party saturday. So, anyway, I told her "No" and her response was "Why not? You have three!" Yes, I do, and they are MINE! I worked hard to find them, email the owners, drive to pick them up, pay for them, etc, so NO YOU CANNOT BORROW THEM. She wanted to know why she couldnt use them because our party is Sat night, so we wont need them for Halloween!! We will still be running our yard haunt on Halloween, because there are a few kids from neighboring streets that come by to TOT and see the haunt. And I know she would expect us to bring them over and pick them up! The funny thing is, they are millionaires 10 time over....so go BUY YOUR OWN!! Personally, I like having something they want and dont have, even with tons of money!! About two years ago, we saw them at Halloween USA buying props for their haunt. The dad said, "After we buy these things, we should be all set from now on. We wont need to buy anything else." First of all, you can NEVER have too much decor/props, especially if you are doing a hayride. And second, you need to change it up every year to keep it interesting...even if its just a few things! People just dont understand these are our prized possessions....I mean, I am really proud of my Halloween Collection after all these years of collecting...Im not just going to loan it to you !!

We had a good friend a few years back ask to borrow some of our stuff for a chili cookoff tent setup in February. Their crew were called "The Living Dead Drunks" (it was a beer-sponsored event).

I did have a bit of worry over whether I'd ever see some of the stuff again in one piece. Completely irrational as I know he would take care of the items, but still.

Asking to borrow stuff during the month of October? That's a big NO.

My sister and I, we really dont share our Halloween. Its more like we each buy one of our own, if that is the same thing is what we both really liked or want. We MAY share our things when it comes to our Halloween Party. But that is different. We both decorate our own houses. I can tell you that letting other people borrow it is NO-No for us! My mother borrowed my Halloween things even though some of it was hers as well for an Hospital event trick or treat. It drove me nuts that she took it to the hospital to use and brought it back with out any troubles. But it REALLY DROVE ME NUTS that it was not in my house where it belong. So yeah I have a good idea what you are saying.
I do have the issue of people needing games ideas for their own Halloween party and I kinda dont want to share because, I spent under 10 years researching ideas, games and food and decorations for our love of Halloween.

I can, but it's very hard, and it's only certain items. Even just lending extra items out that I know I'm not going to use in my display is hard.

A neighbor asked to borrow a few things, and the only way I could do it is to remember that it was right next door, that my neighbor was very trustworthy, and I would be able to enjoy it being displayed in a new way.

So I guess proceed with caution, but it can work out if you get to enjoy the pieces too.

I totally agree!!!

It is very frustrating because you don't want to come off as rude. We all put sooooo much money, time, and LOVE into our decorations! I wish they could understand the craving and addiction we have for our halloween decor and that we don't want to share (muhahahahah)!!

The worst "request" I ever had was last year from a family member. She actually called and asked me if she could "borrow" my custom zombie eye contacts!!!!!!!! Come on people..think!! Ever heard of HYGIENE????

I have never had anyone ask to borrow any of my props, but I do have friends who want me to decorate early and let them have their halloween party at my house among my props. I always say no. I explain how much work it is. They don't really get it but whatever, I agree with halloweencreature:
"We all put sooooo much money, time, and LOVE into our decorations! I wish they could understand the craving and addiction we have for our halloween decor and that we don't want to share (muhahahahah)!!"