Design Hole’s Guide To Halloween Decoration

It was a dark and stormy night. Each year I struggled to overcome my compulsion, but the lure of free candy won out every time. I vowed this Halloween would be the last time I lied about a sick child or a cupboard bare of any sweet delights due to a lost job. “Heh, that one often brought double the treats,” I snickered to myself. This year I was determined to fill my new bag to the brim. It was this promise that brought me, tired and cold, to 666 Grimstoke Lane.

I hesitated before the ramshackle abode. A dim light from a grime-covered attic window told me someone, or some thing was waiting for me. Eerily carved pumpkins grinned from the sagging porch, forewarning me that a popcorn ball was probably in store. The wind (or something else?) pushed me forward. I tugged at the gate; its hinges screamed in protest, but the thought of Smarties gave me the strength I needed to push on.

I hugged my candy bag closer. Only a few more treats and I was done. The steps moaned as I crept forward. I reached for the doorknocker when the front door suddenly swung open, seemingly of its own accord. A gust of wind, smelling of dusty decay flew in my face. I coughed and my eyes watered. I fumbled in my pocket for a hanky when I heard a voice from within whispering, “Candy.” Gulping, I stepped inside.

Glancing around, I saw no one. One more step inside and I saw candles dripping from iron sconces on the wall. They illuminated the floral wallpaper.

“Is anyone there?” I whispered, frantically looking for the candy bowl. It was then that I noticed the flowered wallpaper was, in fact, skulls. Black skulls. I turned to run when an ear-piercing scream ripped through the house, freezing me in my tracks.

Then, a swarm of  spiders the size of cupcakes sprinted from a back room, up the walls and over the floor. Suddenly they stopped, blocking my exit. The spiders stood  - their huge eyes staring up at me.

An eerie voice hissed from within the gloom. ”I see, miss, that you have come for one of our delicious treats,” hissed the voice. “Come join us in the parlor.”

My host appeared in the form of a squat troll-like man dressed in a moldy fur cloak. A putrid stench followed in his wake. His red eyes burned into mine when he said. ”I know you are here for a treat.” He smiled a black, toothless smile. ”Or a trick. But I must insist you warm yourself at my table.”

His firm grip on my elbow (plus the spiders) left no chance for escape. As I staggered into the parlor I prayed that a large bag of Twizzlers (at least) lay at the end of this nightmare.

I was surprised to see find I was not alone. As I gaped at my surroundings, the other guests tried to make me feel comfortable. Most of their lips were sewn shut, so conversation was difficult. Some had no feet. I could have used a strong drink, but dared not risk the thick red punch the others were enjoying – some through straws. Thankfully, they showed no interest in my candy, which I had hidden inside my coat.

The footless guests were sitting on oddly reupholstered chairs. I did admire the variety of fabrics on the windows and furniture – even if they clashed. It was obvious that the troll didn’t realize the need to retie furniture springs before recovering a chair. Probably because he’d spent too much time living in a cave. He clearly needed the help of a professional. My growing disgust at this fellow’s lack of taste began to overcome my fear.

When the doorbell rang I seized the opportunity to make a hasty retreat out the back way – candy or no. Confused by the gloom, I found myself not in the back hall but in the powder room. I switched on the light and found a thousand eyes staring at me. I froze on the spot until the appearance of a particularly large, wayward spider gave life to my feet. I sprinted for the door.

I reached the gate and turned in time to see the mystery troll waving to me from the porch. “See you next year Ms. Mitchell,” he laughed.

Egads! He knew my name! I ran home lickety split. Sadly, the shock caused me to eat almost all my candy in one go. My friend Judith was not going to like that.

Months passed and I had almost forgotten about the events of that night at 666 Grimstoke Lane, when I found a strange invitation in my mailbox. I burned it. The next day another arrived. Then another. All for the same party at… guess where? For the first time in decades I stayed home on Halloween. All was quiet. But, I am very worried about next year because…

I have a new mailman.

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Halloween Resources

Pumpkin carving templates from DLIK

Candy bags from Smidgebox’s shop at Poppytalk Handmade

Skull wallpaper and Witness (the one with the eyes) wallpaper both from Graham & Brown

Set of 6 spider cupcake holders from Crate & Barrel

Ceramic party guests are from Indigo Twin over at Etsy

Customize zillions of fabrics, wallpapers and lampshades at Alluminare

Custom party invtations by Pear Tree, Tiny Prints and Invitation Box

Felt skull wall art by Rawbone Studio over at Poppytalk Handmade