Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Scariest Thing Ever

I've been putting up Halloween decorations for about 20 years now. While I'm sure The Brain would attest to that every time he walks by the boxes in the entryway, I'm not really talking about this season, I'm literally talking about 20 years. The first few years of my marriage don't count because I forgot I was the one who was supposed to do that stuff. I don't know why, ok? Call me clueless - you won't be the first.

I remember pulling myself away from The Cosby Show long enough to look around the house the year Buddy turned 1 and think that whoever was in charge of the Halloween decorations was doing a lousy job. I mean, even Cliff and Claire had a pumpkin and some chrysanthemums! Then it occurred to me who the slacker decorator was. Oh! Yeah.

After that I started picking up a few things here and there. I decided that every year I could afford it I would add one fun, trendy decoration to my fall, Christmas, and spring stash. Fall and Christmas went pretty well on that plan. But spring? -- spring is not my favorite season, so I don't really get excited about redecorating.

Which brings me to my point. (you knew hoped there was one, right?)

Do decorations have an expiration date?

'Cause after 20 years, some of these little gems are looking a bit - I was going to say "dated" but I think "undead" is a better term for what's really going on here. They keep coming out year after year. There is no reasonable explanation as to why they are still around! I get things out and reminisce, but a lot of the things go straight back into their little coffins, and back up to the loft.

Because they are things like stuffed calico pumpkins and rafia door hangers with various painted wooden hangie things. Most of it very very orange.

I've got about 4 large rubbermaid tubs of Halloween and Christmas decorations that I'm definitely not putting out, but I can't throw away. Is that a problem?

I'm being haunted by my decorations!

Any suggestions? Wooden stakes? garlic? A very bad rendition of the Thriller dance?
'Cause I'm preparing to do whatever it takes.

18 comments:

Mrs Andy said...

Yard sale time!

Or Goodwill -- just give them away, you will feel better!

Melissa said...

I agree with east of eden - time for a yard sale! And whatever is left take it to Goodwill. Don't let it re-enter your home! :)

Heather said...

Get out! And stay out!!! Giving it away to Goodwill is much easier than trying to yardsale funky holiday decor.

goddessdivine said...

Either goodwill or garbage. Then you won't have to look at them every year.

I think a thriller dance would be cool. If you do that, be sure to record it and post it for our viewing pleasure. ;-)

Randi said...

really? What about the ceramic ghost mugs I made with my grandma? or the Painted Sylvester that everyone in our ward has because it was a Super Saturday craft project at church?

You really think I should just... just... ?

The Wiz said...

I really do think you should. Just get rid of it. Those things are not the memories. They're just clutter.

If it makes you feel better, take pictures of it before you get rid of it. That way you can have something to trigger the memory.

Unknown said...

Randi,

Take pictures and scrapbook a page of holiday no-no's and then box them up and take them to good-will.

Caroline C. Bingham said...

Oh Randi, I don't have this problem in the least-est. I throw any and all things away. (My husband actually hates that) That being said, my sister, who is near and dear to my heart, has this problem. . .The solution is this. She calls me and says, "Can I just keep a few things at your house" or "Can you come and watch my kids?" or whatever. But there's "The Pile". And I take care of it for her. Because she is too attached to der it herself. But I, in my throwing/giving/sorting fury, have a really fun time! Anyways, have a 3rd party go through it, 3 piles, keep, toss, give away. Then you are NOT responsible for whatever happens to those ceramic mugs that you just loved! Whatever happened to them?!?!? I just can't seem to place my finger on it. . .

Lena said...

Oh, I love Caroline's! Let someone else do the dirty deed! I could do that..

TheOneTrueSue said...

Yeah, definitely toss it. Some poor newlywed with no money for Halloween decorations will find it all at the DI and be all excited.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I recommend arson.

Unknown said...

Well, maybe Sue has an idea and I just need to visit and "adopt" it in my Newlywed times!

Randi said...

Definitely some good ideas here. I'm strongly considering a couple of them . Especially the arson.

Earl and Vickie said...

No, No, you are missing out on a chance here for some real fun. What do you do when the garden produces too many, monster zuchini? Why sneak around at night and leave them on some lucky person's porch, that's what.
GIFT them, in the middle of the night. Anonymously......

Randi said...

Now THAT is just funny!

Too bad we already started our neighborhood Halloween Phantom. I could have started a whole exchange!

Mrs Andy said...

As for the mugs you made with your grandma, if they really mean alot to you, and I would keep something I made with my grandma....then keep them.

But the thing you made with your ward....does anyone else have one? That I would toss.

Yvonne said...

Goodwill sounds good to me.

I'm with Kirstin--the Thriller dance would be GREAT FUN!!!

Anonymous said...

when we moved here, we had an open house (halloween creepy garage party for all the kids and their people). it was a riot. loved it. my favorite part was not only did we have a COFFIN pinata, but i also took the Christmas and halloween decorations and sorta morphed them. i took the decoration of santa on the sled with rudolph and had santa all bloody with a big creepy bloody axe. it turned out hilarious and warped! all the kids loved this welcome to the neighborhood.

so make your Christmas stuff creepy and you are so in there for a halloween theme. see ya soon, kathleen