Halloween in the U.K

13332 Views 178 Replies 50 Participants Last post by hallorenescene, Nov 7, 2011

thatguycraig

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2009

hey guys - new the the forums..... OMGdan had me join who is a bit of a regular on here....

i gotta say, im excited as hell.... I want to be making stuff for halloween.... thinkin of custumes and such.... and thinkin of what cool stuff we can make for the TOT and the party at OMGdan's house. Last year i had a big party with load of ppl there, but we are going to "combine forces" this year and make summot big.... I'll put pic of on last year when i remember...

but it would be nice to see how many u.k forum members are out there and would be better if you would post pics of your parties/ TOT set ups etc... not excluding any other nationalities, of course.... just like to see... as we are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy behand the americans in this holiday get up!

21 - 40 of 179 Posts

Iffy49

· #21 · Jul 28, 2009

Hi from Iffy49.....

I have added albums for 2005 and 2008 in my profile. I also have one for 2006 at:

Halloween2006 pictures by Iffy49 - Photobucket

The 2005 was set up in one day, after the kids left for school and before they got home! This was when they realised that their new step-dad might be a bit odd!! But soon got into spirit of it.

Things have come on in three years, still nowhere near some of the set-ups on here, nor what I want, but I am a one-man band, with 5 kids!! So little time or money!!

This year no haunt for TOTs, as I am getting married on Halloween, but I have plans for 2010!!

thatguycraig

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jul 29, 2009

Iffy49 said:
Hi from Iffy49.....

I have added albums for 2005 and 2008 in my profile. I also have one for 2006 at:

Halloween2006 pictures by Iffy49 - Photobucket

The 2005 was set up in one day, after the kids left for school and before they got home! This was when they realised that their new step-dad might be a bit odd!! But soon got into spirit of it.

Things have come on in three years, still nowhere near some of the set-ups on here, nor what I want, but I am a one-man band, with 5 kids!! So little time or money!!

This year no haunt for TOTs, as I am getting married on Halloween, but I have plans for 2010!!

well iff, all i can say is that i wish that i had a stepdad like you when i was younger!!

we never did any thing like that.... i mean my parents wern't against it, but we never even so much as had a hanging spider in the window, nor a J.O.L on the front door.

Now i have my own house, i jsut have to reply on the little money and time i have for that!!1

keep up the good work!

Scry

· #23 · Jul 29, 2009

Long Live Brittania!!!!!!
Like others here I too started small and plan to go bigger and better this year. Finances are a wee bit tight at the moment so I'm generally recycling/Upgrading things etc.

I've found car-boots (whilst some think they're embarrassing or gross) to be great for finding odds and bits that will make the decor look just right.

This year I'm focusing on LIGHTING, I'm convinced its what takes a good haunt/decor and makes it amazing... so of course im now on the hunt for cheap flood lights I can easily 'colour'.

Also I'd say keep an eye out for sales everywhere, I was in a garden centre the other day and in their sale they randomly had a solid PVC Tombstone for £2.... plus other stuff that can be made into props!

anyways I'm ranting...

Herman Secret

· #24 · Jul 29, 2009

Greetings to all the UK haunters from an ex pat ...

Originally from London and just old enough to remember foggy mornings, not quite peasoupers, but I still recall the sooty smell !

Moved across the pond in 2005 and got bitten by the halloween bug then. Until now it was just doing TOT'ing with my kids.

Glad that Halloween is growing there now

freudstein

· #25 · Jul 29, 2009

OMGDan said:
Ahh can't believe i forgot you freudstein, my bad :/

And ruggerz you were the one whose name i couldn't recall.

You should be ashamed....I thought we were buds!?

TOT'ing seems to have died down since I was that age(I'm only 22 now, so think about 10 or 15 years ago). Though maybe this is just in my area.
There used to be groups all round. In the past 4 or so years there have been under 5 lots if any at all!

Marc UK, your best bet for Halloween stuff is Ebay. You find some great things on there. However, there are a number of items from the U.S that can't be shipped over here, so keep your eyes out for that.

Be sure you still are checking shops though. Whilst there isn't that much quality things around, sometimes you will find a few treasures.
TK Maxx carry some pretty cool stuff. They had a big pumpkin punchbowl last year that I would have loved, but someone else got to it before I had chance! I think this year they might even stock better than last year. Not sure why; just a feeling.

thatguycraig said:
i think that the bigegst problem is IMO, respect.

Ive never been to the U.S at halloween, but from what i hear, most people love it, and they respect other people properties.

Over here, especially where I live... most of the older teenages wouldent really leave your stuff alone when its all set up outside, thats why i have a problem with spending too much for outside scenary
!

I couldn't agree more with that. That is so true! but it's not even just teens anymore, the trouble-makers seem to be getting younger and younger!

One thing's for sure. We'll all look forward to seeing each others pics, of parties/haunts/props/anything picked up in stores!

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Baron Samedi

· #26 · Jul 31, 2009

Herman Secret said:
Greetings to all the UK haunters from an ex pat ...

Originally from London and just old enough to remember foggy mornings, not quite peasoupers, but I still recall the sooty smell !

Moved across the pond in 2005 and got bitten by the halloween bug then. Until now it was just doing TOT'ing with my kids.

Glad that Halloween is growing there now

Ah! That explains it...All those ingenious ideas and prop making tips...

I just knew you had to be a Brit!

rodneypig

· #27 · Aug 1, 2009

Hi everyone!
I'm from the UK too ( Hampshire ) and really agree that there isnt a good supply of Halloween related items available over here. I have to admit that in the past I have bought loads from eBay in the US but since the change in postage pricing ( I believe based on size like we have over here ) it's just too expensive to do now.
I have made some props in the past and really enjoy the challenge but finding the space and the time makes it a little difficult.
Halloween is becoming more popular over here, I live on a large estate where several of the houses go all out for displays and so on. We even have people travelling to our area to TOT.
I usually base the sucess of the year by how mant TOTers I get. Last year was quite quiet, I think it was because it was a Friday night and there were organised parties at schools and things so there werent that many people out and about. I think from reading previous threads that it was the same in the US. The year before however was my best ever, I had 367 TOTers and a great party as well. I'll have to post some pictures!
It's great to have a UK thread, I dont feel quite so lonely now!!
Debbie

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clarec

· #28 · Aug 2, 2009

Marc-UK said:
Hey All,

Another UK'er here. I love Halloween but am finding it difficult to get enough cash together to do what I want

Had a blast year before last on Halloween.. unfortunately last year was very quiet with only about 5 or so trick or treaters.

Got a video of my haunt, although the camcorder really does not do it justice as it's too damn dark (after I sabotaged the street light... ahem) and most of the props don't show up (there are loads of static props there.. honest.)

Looking to go even bigger and better this year, but am finding it hard to justify the expense.. also really worried about the weather.

There never seems to be enough time...

Halloween Last year..

YouTube - Halloween 2008

And my Home made lightening generator for anyone interested with the soundtrack I put together.

YouTube - Halloween Lightning Generator

Great videos!! Love it!

clarec

· #29 · Aug 2, 2009

I agree I have brought most of my Halloween items from online or TK Maxx.

GhoulishGadgets

· #30 · Jun 9, 2010

Hi,

I'm in the Uk too, it's great to see a number of people here

Si

halloween71

· #31 · Jun 9, 2010

Welcome..this is a wonderful forum filled with lots of ideas.Can't wait to see what you do this year.

hallorenescene

· #32 · Jun 10, 2010

fruedstein, ruggezs and baron, you guys came right to my mind. i was going to post you when i started reading this, but see you guys beat me to it. seems we're getting more and more uk members, which shows the interest is there more and more. well, here's spreading a little love from across the pond. you guys rock. hope this halloween is a smash for all of you.
and the video, very nice

thatguycraig

Discussion Starter · #33 · Jul 6, 2011

too early to ask the uk fans what they planning?! Let us all see

Revned

· #34 · Jul 6, 2011

Hey thatguycraig, I'm not a million miles away from you here in sunny Bolton.

Have to agree with you that we here in the UK need to catch up with the US and Canada when it comes to Halloween. The availability of Halloween props and such is pretty limited here in comparison.

I'm pretty new to the Forum myself, but it has to be said that the Halloweeniacs here are some of the most talented and friendliest people I have ever come across, and they are all willing to give advice and direction should you need it.

Welcome to Halloween Forum

thatguycraig

Discussion Starter · #35 · Jul 6, 2011

Revned said:
Hey thatguycraig, I'm not a million miles away from you here in sunny Bolton.

Have to agree with you that we here in the UK need to catch up with the US and Canada when it comes to Halloween. The availability of Halloween props and such is pretty limited here in comparison.

I'm pretty new to the Forum myself, but it has to be said that the Halloweeniacs here are some of the most talented and friendliest people I have ever come across, and they are all willing to give advice and direction should you need it.

Welcome to Halloween Forum

many thanks for the welcome, tho i have been posting here for 2 years! and before that just viewing for longer! lol

i did a mini haunt last year - and i had ONE child show up. i was gutted

halloween_sucks_in_the_uk

· #36 · Jul 6, 2011

thatguycraig said:
many thanks for the welcome, tho i have been posting here for 2 years! and before that just viewing for longer! lol

i did a mini haunt last year - and i had ONE child show up. i was gutted

On the brighter side, saves you money in sweets! don't worry it's picking up, I get more every year. Much to my Husbands dismay, he knows I start getting Halloween twinges around late July and I vanish into the garage making all sorts of Halloween crap (as he likes to call it). He'll spend the next 4 months moaning about the cost of it all...lol not that I actually listen

thatguycraig

Discussion Starter · #37 · Jul 6, 2011

halloween_sucks_in_the_uk said:
On the brighter side, saves you money in sweets! don't worry it's picking up, I get more every year. Much to my Husbands dismay, he knows I start getting Halloween twinges around late July and I vanish into the garage making all sorts of Halloween crap (as he likes to call it). He'll spend the next 4 months moaning about the cost of it all...lol not that I actually listen

thats cool tho - id love to have the time/space/money/tot's to build my own stuff.. i bet i cud get quite creative haha

halloween_sucks_in_the_uk

· #38 · Jul 6, 2011

thatguycraig said:
thats cool tho - id love to have the time/space/money/tot's to build my own stuff.. i bet i cud get quite creative haha

I enjoy doing it, the worst thing is the space. My garage is a nightmare, the Husband was in there last week climbing over my Halloween stuff to get a bag from the top shelf at the back. He managed to grab the bag, pull it so sharply, the metal bit on the strap smacked him in the eye..lol now he has a huge shiner...Oh and I have a few squashed props!

Scry

· #39 · Jul 6, 2011

no plans here.... yet. Didn't do anything last year and it was pretty damn boring! do have a ton of party stuff in storage still have a few mache pumpkins floating around too

rodneypig

· #40 · Jul 7, 2011

Halloween_sucks, my other half is exactly the same! he moans that much every year I always end up saying dont worry I wont bother next year, but I never keep my word. I've been doing it for 10 years now and there is no space left in the loft for props because I have to do something different every year!!

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