Thread: classic vs horror halloween decorations/theme

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Which do you prefer? i love both honestly. I see classic as the non scary decorations and a more welcoming fun theme to halloween like classic ghost candles, cut out cookies, ect. Mostly nothing ment to be scary but it still has the halloween spirit. I also love the modern day horror props, movies, costumes, ect because i love the frights and i especially love decorating and making the horror props. My favorite thing though is dressing up in the horror costumes. So which do you prefer? their is obviously a big difference.

I like a little bit of everything, it all depends on what I'm planning to do for Halloween. I usually prefer the more traditional decor items, especially if they look vintage. I also like the chic sort of stuff that's intended for an adult gathering. I'm more attracted to black glittered centerpieces, ornate looking skulls, candelabras, vintage papier mache pumpkins, fancy looking table cloths. I'm sort of into horror but I like really realistic horror props. I'm not a huge fan of the life sized animatronics, especially because the Gemmy ones say no more than three really lame things. I'm also not down with (and I'm sure some people on this board will hate me for it) using Freddy or Mike Myers in a yard haunt; my reasoning behind this is because it's something related to our youth but not for the youth of today (I mean how many four year olds are going to understand who they are?). I like the more subtle touches of horror... but I do like strewn body parts or bleeding walls. So that's just my personal preference in decor.

By "horror" do you mean "gory"?? I think there's "classic horror"...howling wind, croaking ravens, a stranger at the door...then there's modern horror, which involves more evisceration.

I don't find blood and heaps o'guts scary, personally. I like gory, it's interesting to look at, but I seldom incoorperate a whole lot of it in my haunt. I do "classic", but with a creepy, not completely innocent
vibe. I don't think one really has to do all-out horror to achieve frights. For myself, I yearn for a mysterious, unsettling atmosphere, with a hint of magic. Ghosts, beasties, ambient lighting, pumpkins, candles, dry leaves. Indoor stuff...it's elegant and dark...specimen jars, skeletons, more candles, cobwebs, vintage masks.
When I attempt modern horror, like an above poster I prefer a more subtle touch, something which will quietly intrigue people, draw them in and then unnerve them in that special way.

I too enjoy both! My costumes and decor range from PG to MA ratings depending on my choice of Halloween theme for any of my past given years.

I agree, I like both. I think my decor is a pretty healthy mixture. I think I'm molding my tastes into the pretty/scary category.. with some fun thrown in I'm not so much into blood and gore. I like classically scary. Skeletons, pumpkins, monsters, black cats, ghosts..

I don't do blood and gore but anything else goes. I'm extremely eclectic!

My wife and son won't allow any significant gore, so prop shock is sort of off the table. We go with several different themes in different areas, that provide lots to look at. Then when the TOTs think the haunt is just a bunch of lights and mechanicals, one of us in costume, posing as one of the static monsters, jumps at the TOTs and screams abound. We never scare the little ones, but some of them actually come back thru a second time and taunt the actor until we scare them. Everyone seems to enjoy it - us too.

I like a mix of both also. Too much gore can can bump up the fear factor too fast, it's the "Slow burn" of what COULD happen that sends the chills down the spine....building to a full blown panic.

I once saw an interview with Vincent Price back in the 70's. He was asked what he thought of the trend to slasher movies he said "I think once you've lobbed off the head it's all over...the mystery is gone, and where can you go from there?"

Mind you, I don't mind a bit of gore....but it should be a part of the fright. I just put the last touches on my life size "Lizzy Borden prop" (Will post pic's Friday) I put blood only on her hand ax and a little splatter on her shoulders and sleeves...I resisted the temptation to COVER her with gore (But in truth you would be if you just hacked up someone 40 whacks,right?)

Originally Posted by Antimars

I yearn for a mysterious, unsettling atmosphere, with a hint of magic. Ghosts, beasties, ambient lighting, pumpkins, candles, dry leaves. Indoor stuff...it's elegant and dark...specimen jars, skeletons, more candles, cobwebs, vintage masks.....I prefer a more subtle touch, something which will quietly intrigue people, draw them in and then unnerve them in that special way.

Love this!

I'm not real big on blood and gore. Antimars summed up what I think perfectly.