[plutorising]

Do you have one? Is there a progression you go through or a schedule you adhere to? For instance, do you start your planning in July, shopping in August, etc.

 

[Madame Leota]

For me, it all depends on if I'm planning any big changes or not. If I'm sticking with my graveyard, skeletons, ghosts, etc. then I don't do much in the way of planning or buying. All I have to do is some general tweaking and rearranging to keep things fresh, maybe try some new lighting techniques - one thing I've yet to be completely happy with - and I'm good to go. That's what I did last year. Where's the fun in that, you ask? Well, there isn't any! Not much, anyway. So this year I am changing things up and instead of the traditional graveyard I'm going with Nightmare Before Christmas. Mostly because it's a great chance to put my artistic skills to work, which I haven't done in the last few years, and I really need that right now. So, when do I start? Right about now! I have a lot of drawing, painting, and pumpkin carving to do so I plan to get going in the next few days.
One thing I try to be careful about though, is planning too early. I've learned in the past that if I plan a whole new theme and start on it before mid to late summer, I'm likely to be sick of it before October. Timing is everything! I could never be a year round haunter, for that reason alone.

 

[Ghost of Spookie]

I do have a game plan this year. Falling back on a theme that I had started to plan for last year's haunt that I didn't end up using that year. So a good part of it is more or less organized. No time line schedule although when I saw the countdown get to 140 days decided I better get working on a few of the projects that still need work. Somehow I'm never completely ready come October though. And I'm always keeping my fingers crossed about the weather--the ultimate Reaper for my plans outside.

 

[MichaelMyersSickHead]

I'm so behind!!!! I still have to build two arches that will look like something out of Nosferatu and I wanted to make a huge tombstone out of these great foam blocks I found on craigslist...probably won't get to the Haddonfield sign I was going to make, but the first two I'm really going to try to bang them out. I always get fooled by the Halloween countdowns...really I'm at about 100 days left if I realistically want to get the stuff out and enjoy it.

 

[Kwll2112]

We usually start seriously talking about what we're going to do in late spring, however this year we started in March and immediately began working on those projects we had decided on. Our plan was to casually work on them throughout the year, so we weren't swamped in the last 2 months prior to HW. I'll let you know how well that works out in November. We have already culled down the projects list, as it was too much to do.

We decorate the front yard and the entire lower level of our house, as well as some in the backyard for the main party. We've also made the wonderful decision to change all the decor every year, so no two years are the same. We may use the same props, but used in a different manner. That makes for more work, and I wonder how long we'll keep doing that before we decide to make some scenes reoccurring. My hope is that we'll eventually have enough stuff to work with that we don't have to keep making everything from scratch, but that's still a few years away, I think.

In the beginning of October, I start writing my checklists for showtime, which is a list of things that need to be done in order to bring it all together (light torches, turn on outside lights, turn on outside audio, turn on thunder and lightning, etc.). If I didn't have this checklist, I'd forget too many key parts.

Because we started this year in March, we've been hitting the thrift stores looking for things to use as props or make into props. That's made it a little easier, as we can spread out the expenditures and only have to hit one or two stores a week.

 

[TheNextMartha]

I start thinking about it in June. Things I want to add. I start shopping in Aug, building in Sep, set up Oct. I don't set up too early bc here in the midwest weather is a factor and can flatten a display overnight.

 

[Zombie4*]

I plan all year lol. I pick things up here and there while shopping. I usually start thinking about a theme in February. March i plan what projects and layout of the display. I usually start projects in may. Usually finished by mid September. Then I force myself to wait until October to start puting my display out.

 

[The Skeleton Crew]

When I first started (2010) I would make purchases in September and spend about 4-6 weeks assembling items for display. Through the years my displays have grown a lot more complex so it takes me most of the year for planning and production (unfortunately I work solo - no help yet). I plan each haunt a year in advance so I have time to purchase materials before they are no longer stocked. To save time I try to use pre-made (off-the-shelf) items as much as possible and modify them (example: black plastic cauldron = purgatory cauldron, reference original post at http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/147907-bubbling-cauldron-skull-base-2-0-a.html).

My themes are usually based on Halloween / Horror related literature, art or cinema. To stay organized I keep a list of themes and ideas and I’m constantly sketching and making small “prototypes / models”. I start by figuring out each (plan layout) and what props will need to be constructed. I then generate a completion / task list which is loosely followed (you can’t rush art). Then the fun part happens – building the props. For me Halloween isn’t so much a holiday as it is an art show.

I’ve attached images of a typical plan layout, prop sketches, and photographs of the completed prop.

 

[Neuf350Z]

I used to start planning in November and then building in December on out, but I found that it started to become too stressful. Trying to do all of that on top of work, home projects, garden projects, general home chores, etc. it became less fun. This year, I haven't even started yet and I'm okay with that. I've been doing this for over 30 years and I will admit that some years are more of a "ugh" than a "yay" depending on what I have going on, but scaling back has helped and allows me to keep my Halloween spirit alive!

 

[SlayKnotV1]

we're gonna start mapping everything out next week and then start decorating the end of august. we have close to 75 Inflatables plus Halloween trees, we do a little pumpkin patch thing on the side of the stairs and we line the front of the house with Orange C9 lights. we also put lights around and above the garage, front door, railings and we line the stairs with stuff. we're hoping for 4-5 days of good weather so we can get this done quick and enjoy it for 2 full months.

 

[hplvr17]

I think about Halloween basically 24/7 but from after I plan my 4th decor especially since there are no real decorating holidays in between. Last year I wanted to do my mantel with like a cauldron and potions and stuff like that but I didn't so that's all I've been thinking about LOL! I'll prly start some DIYS in mid August like a cauldron, spellbooks, potions etc. I've got it mostly planned what I want but I might buy a few odds and ends from target or michaels if they have some cool stuff. I got a Heidi Swapp moon marquee on clearnance for $3 at Michaels last year that I'm particularly excited to put up!! XD

 

[acanton04]

This is my second year home haunting. Like the previous years where I made my own costumes, I kind of come up with my theme and the specific projects I want to do in January/February/March. This year is Sleepy Hollow/ Salem/ Halloween in New England, I have about 10 props I want to do and had a rough idea of them in January of this year. Then like people who posted before me I spread it out to weekends at my leisure. Sometimes I'll go 3 or so weeks without doing anything related to it, and other times I will end up working on it an entire weekend. I do understand that sometimes it feels like a chore rather than a hobby, that's when I reevaluate whether it's a project for another year or if I can be happy with whatever has come out artistically/mechanically at this point. That said, I have 75% of my props completed, and plan on setting up October 1st. I also have a "anytime" and a "fall" shopping list, obviously it is difficult to get funkins at Michael's in February, so some things have to wait till the season- last year Big Lots had decorations immediately after the 4th of July.

 

[Palladino]

I started planning on June 1. I chose the theme and sort this year's props, décor and costumes from the rest. I pack the rest away. I make lists of things to buy and construct. I also make sketches of the different 'scenes' - graveyard, front yard, etc. Then I do grunt work like changing and checking light strings, priming and painting tombstones, building life sized props etc. I start putting stuff out in the front yard on Oct 1. I also do the ladder work and light set up then before it gets too cold or windy. The rest of October is spent shopping for whatever tools, extra props etc. I need. I plan the after party menu and go into overdrive. I have to take a week off work in the days leading up to and a couple days past Halloween. The day after, I take the front yard down and eat candy. The next day, the rest comes down and I rest.

 

[Rigormortor]

My plan. We are going with the same theme as last year. Giant spiders and 40 foot spider web.
Tombstones, skulls etc..... we start setting up that stuff in mid October. We set up our front porch
with stuff Sept 1st. It will be a blast again this year.

 

[MichaelMyersSickHead]

When I first started (2010) I would make purchases in September and spend about 4-6 weeks assembling items for display. Through the years my displays have grown a lot more complex so it takes me most of the year for planning and production (unfortunately I work solo - no help yet). I plan each haunt a year in advance so I have time to purchase materials before they are no longer stocked. To save time I try to use pre-made (off-the-shelf) items as much as possible and modify them (example: black plastic cauldron = purgatory cauldron, reference original post at http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/147907-bubbling-cauldron-skull-base-2-0-a.html).

My themes are usually based on Halloween / Horror related literature, art or cinema. To stay organized I keep a list of themes and ideas and I’m constantly sketching and making small “prototypes / models”. I start by figuring out each (plan layout) and what props will need to be constructed. I then generate a completion / task list which is loosely followed (you can’t rush art). Then the fun part happens – building the props. For me Halloween isn’t so much a holiday as it is an art show.

I’ve attached images of a typical plan layout, prop sketches, and photographs of the completed prop.

I love what looks like your entry way with the mulch ground...what a great idea...do you put anything down to make the clean up easier like tarp or dexter plastic sheeting? I would love to try something like this on our entry sidewalk and front patio.

 

[bayoubrigh]

Love that phrase that "...Halloween is always at a low simmer" I feel that all year (with some breaks). Planning happens pretty much after January and building comes in spurts. Had a big rush over Spring Break but this summer has been so hot in AZ that only one or two projects have been completed. Can't decorate until October 1st (HOA) but that is fine as I can work on my garage haunt during September.

 

[lilibat]

I can only plan so much because most of what I can do is dictated by the horrible weather here. I have to wait for it to get cool enough I can do prep work in the garage, then I have to wait till it's cool enough to actually put stuff out.

 

[Deadview]

This year I have two concerns when it comes to planning. I'm selling my boat, which as of now has not sold. It is next to the driveway . Each year I cover it up with black cloth and us it as a back ground for part of the cemetery. If the boat sells before Halloween then I'll have to figure how to fill the area. I'm thinking just building a back drop using 2 by 4's and getting black cloth as a wall so it's not open to see my neighbors house.
The other issue I have this year is locating another motor for my Axworthy Flying Ghost. The other froze up last year at the end of the night. I'll have to look at it first thing when I start bring things out so I can figure if it's fixable or I'll have to hunt another one down.
Always something.

 

[cai88]

I'm just trying to stay on task this year. I have several half finished props from last year that I need to complete. We added a small walkthrough last year just using black plastic and this year we would like to expand it a bit.

 

[AstorReinhardt]

I think about it in late June, start plotting and looking for ideas in July, waiting until stores get rid of their back to school junk in August and by October I'm usually decorated and set up...I pick up a few things here and there if I spot them or hear talk of a new item.

This year I'm a bit at a loss as I was hoping to find a lot more vintage Halloween items at yard sales...I've only found a single Halloween item and it wasn't vintage. I did manage to buy a box of 1950s "cooky" cutters that have lovely Halloween graphics on the box and inside. They're just metal shapes...bat, cat, pumpkin...that sort of typical stuff but I love the box. I got it off of eBay for a deal. I also bought that set of "vintage" inspired Halloween character blocks I was going crazy trying to find them last year...ChristmasTraditions has them in stock...or did when I got them. Bit disappointed on the quality. I thought the characters were painted on...they're cheap stickers...and some of them have damage done to them during shipping. For the price I paid, I'm not happy. I think I might try my hand at painting them...I'm not much of an artist any more but if I have an image to go off of, I can usually do fairly well...has to be better then the stupid stickers.

But yeah I was planning on doing a vintage Halloween theme. I don't think I have enough items to do that yet but I'll see...maybe a small display is in order.

Anyways plans:

- Look for craft fairs/harvest fairs/farm tours
- Save up some money for limited edition foods/candy
- Try and track down the complete Halloween and Friday the 13th series on blu ray (Wal-Mart supposedly has the Halloween set for $40 right now...IF you can find it in stock that is!)
- Lurk in my Dollar Trees till I find all their Halloween items I want
- Find some new fairy lights for around my computer monitor
- Somehow figure out a way to use my new computer tower LEDs in my Halloween display (they're green so maybe mad scientist or something)
- Don't start decorating until October (last year I felt pretty tapped out...I think I started to early.)