Thread: Another haunter bites the dust

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Ran into a friend of ours yesterday at Pizza Hut. They live a couple blocks down from us and our kids used to TOT together. They set up a nice yard display; graveyard/fence/columns, coffin, some nice props, and they really get into Halloween. Last year they had some vandalism, which really soured them on the whole thing. She told me they probably weren't setting anything up this year since they didn't want to go through the same thing all over again. She told me if there was anything I wanted to use for our haunt we were welcome to it, and also mentioned that if we needed any help on Halloween night, they'd love to come over and join our crew. I was flattered at the offer but saddened that another haunter has thrown in the towel. Between us, we would tell people about each other's haunts, and share ideas/plans. I'm hoping they just take a year off and get back into it but my sense is once they skip a year, they may just bag the effort altogether. Of course they are welcome to help us out on Hallowen night, and they even offered to help me set up, etc.. Just bugs me that people are com[pelled to give up something they really enjoy because of some idiots.

It's sad to hear that, but you never know - they might come and join in your haunt and have a lovely experience and be reinspired for next year. I was ready to throw in the towel after I had some trouble at my party in 2008, but then I took it down a notch for the following year and had a small get-together and had a total blast. This year I am really looking forward to Halloween, and my small party/decorating. So.. sometimes all we need is a little break! The fact that they have expressed interest in helping you with your haunt says to me that they aren't ready to give up altogether just yet

When we got vandals too 2 years ago, we almost took everything off the same night, It really does kill the mood, and makes you paranoid to leave anything out after. We had no problem last year, and hope this continues. They might change their minds, hopefully.

You cannot let "them" steal the joy of the holiday from you. Then they win.

I can't stand mindless vandals who ruin things for other people. I saw a video on youtube once with some teens going along a street and smashing up peoples pumpkins, I felt like reaching through the screen and slapping the little f......

We've put a lot of hard work and expense in building/purchasing our props, and I think all of us have had that moment of concern about vandalism, but Jaege is right. We can't let them ruin the fun!

I also think that if they work with you this year, they might find that they miss their own haunt, or maybe you guys can work together to make a really big haunt!

Originally Posted by Jaege

You cannot let "them" steal the joy of the holiday from you. Then they win.

I agree to an extent. These folks have also had their son's bike stolen this summer and also their lawn mower. This is not a well off family and they work hard to make ends meet, as do a lot of us. I think they're just beat down this year and don't want to face any more loss. I don't blame them. At some point, it's not about "them winning" but you just not wanting to be victimized any more. It's a helpless feeling. I'm going to try to engage them in our haunt, but remind them that we need more displays in the neighborhood so hopefully next year they'll bounce back.

Maybe you should give them that cool light chandelier that you have and help them set up something just on their front door area - just to keep involved and set an example for their own kids that you don't give up when you have had a bad experience. It is so great that you will include them in your haunt - but I hope they don't give it all totally up.

Are they members of HF? Maybe get them to sign up and get into Halloween Forum! Worked for me!!

That is sooo sad.Maybe they will change their mind.

It doesn't take much to set up a webcam to watch/record your haunt... If I lived in a neighborhood that had vandals (thankfully never had anything broken or stolen), I'd DEFINITELY employ this option... With THEIR haunt gone this year, you might want to think about some sort of security as you may be the next logical target.

Vandals are worthless POS' who don't deserve to breathe the same air we do. If they knew how much work went into some of our props, and the time we spend decorating they would think twice before even attempting to vandalize... and I'm pretty sure most vandals would stop if they knew they were being watched/recorded. It's destruction of Private Property, and gets you JAIL time for doing it if you get caught, as well are restitution to those they vandalized. If I couldn't afford a webcam setup, I'd prolly sleep outside in my graveyard that night... lolz. And then i'd beat with a BASEBALL bat any hoodlums who set foot on my property with the intent to destroy my stuff. hey, that's just me tho! =)