"You put an inflatable bat where?" - 2010 Halloween Decorations

[Derek Meister]

I've just finished the outside setup of our house, including computer-controlled graveyard lightshow that's been moved front and center this year. I've even added a small FM transmitter for those stopping by to listen to in their cars. Here's video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETZZNS463ac#t=19s).

There's already an annual Halloween costume thread (http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?t=61677) in full swing, so how about those of you who go more for the home decorations and pumpkin carving?

[GloriousMess]

I like it! How long did it take to set up? In fact it reminds of this similar effort that some (talented) nutcase did for Christmas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgf60CI_ks

[Morberis]

I love it, what did you have to do to prepare for something like that on the electrical side of things? Or is all of it temporary stuff (no dedicated circuits etc).

[Derek Meister]

The computer-controlled light show hobby has really progressed over the last five years to the point where it's a lot friendlier to anyone with less than an electrical degree.

If you feel like your holidays aren't quite Griswald family (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qc_RYm0ylA) enough for you, there's a few things you can get to add to your madness:

Light Controller - If you don't feel like building one from scratch, there are two major brands available, Light-O-Rama (http://www.lightorama.com/) and D-Light (http://d-light.us/). Controllers come in both kit form (http://store.lightorama.com/hobbyist-products.html) (cheaper) and pre-built (http://store.lightorama.com/ba16chpa.html) (expensive). One nice thing is that you can mix-and-match brands to a limited extent.

Sequencer Software - Some kits come with the software to sequence and playback your light shows, but there's a range of 3rd party software as well. From command line to point-n-paint GUIs (http://aurorashow.com/screenshots.asp). Don't expect any of the software to look pretty, though.

Sequences - You can either create your own sequences, timing the lights to the music, or you can spend some money on pre-made sequences (https://www.wowlights.com/Sequences.asp). There are also sequence sharing (http://lightoramasequences.com/) sites where people share those they've made with others.

Of course, no matter how crazy the Halloween decorators get, they'll never be as bad as the maniacs over at PlanetChristmas.com (http://www.planetchristmas.com/).

On the other hand, if you want to go the cheap route, there's already a Gemmy non-programmable, pre-setup light controller (http://www.gemmy.com/halloween/lighting/item/lighting/halloween-light-show-and-timer-sound-24477) available at Target for about $70.

[Athryn]

I was really sad, I went to Wegman's today to get some additional decor, and they were almost completely wiped out of everything. I didn't expect them to be making it all clearance with 2 weeks to go until Halloween.

I did manage to get a pumpkin and a string of lights, I'll take a picture after I carve the pumpkin.

[Derek Meister]

I've noticed that here as well. Seems like not only are stores putting out holiday decorations earlier (most stores have had their Christmas stuff since October 1st) but they're running out of items quicker.

I wonder how much of that comes from the competition from those temporary stores like Spirit Halloween and Halloween USA, as well as stores simply not keeping refreshing their inventory after the initial shipment.

[Eric Majkut]

So where in northeast Ohio do you live? If it's not too far maybe I'll come by to check out your crazy lights ;)

[Derek Meister]

Painesville, Ohio.

[kerzain]

Painesville, Ohio.
That sounds like the setup for a Far Side comic.

[Derek Meister]

It's absolutely appropriately named.

[nijimeijer]

Our yard haunt is getting its finishing touches now. As always, a fair selection of zombies and a couple werewolves. We'll also have a spider corner this year. I'll post more pics when the display is finished (Saturday night, just in time for trick or treating the next day).

Meanwhile, here's one of our new guys, set up with his mood lighting.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/5123516484_796ab6b009.jpg

[kerzain]

These are all bread sculptures. (http://denniscooper-theweaklings.blogspot.com/2009/11/galerie-dennis-cooper-presents-kittiwat.html)

Imagine eating it, yummy.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3BsDt7_O88/Sv73EVriGhI/AAAAAAAAoSc/3jJFYwtHS-U/s400/lart-boulanger-kittiwat-unarrom-L-2.jpeg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3BsDt7_O88/Sv75tpY_TWI/AAAAAAAAoTs/qUaHAvfy4OM/s400/bread1.jpg

[DoomMunky]

Eww, those heads are horrible!

[GloriousMess]

Eww, those heads are awesome!
54321

[Derek Meister]

Trick or Treat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/agent3012/sets/72157625284535910/) photos.

[nijimeijer]

I'll have to post some more pics later. Crazy night; ended up giving out candy to ~200 kids or so. They love the werewolf corner.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/5135053022_7ee7ac4f60.jpg

[Derek Meister]

The fact that you have a "spider corner" and a "werewolf corner" is great.

We ended up with 257 kids, plus friends and family. Makes me feel bad for those areas that see no trick-or-treaters.

[stereoD]

Awesome job, guys. I love it when someone goes the extra mile for Halloween.

We have about 20 painted signs and a few monsters, orange/purple string lights and motion-activated noisemakers, but we only got two kids this year. I think we got 5 kids last year so we weren't expecting much but it's still depressing since it's my favorite day of the year. Probably going to spend next year in a zombie costume wandering the busier neighborhoods.

[nijimeijer]

Here's the set from our display.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nijimeijer/sets/72157625135033777/with/5140317643/

Missing a couple of portraits, but I'm sure I'll be updating this set for the next few days as we look through all the photos we took.

[Derek Meister]

Nice! The lighting you have setup is amazing, and really does add so much to the atmosphere.

[stereoD]

Here's the set from our display.

Ha! I have this guy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nijimeijer/5140314997/in/set-72157625135033777/) too - he resides in a coffin my neighbor made. Your lighting makes him, and everything else, look great. Really like how you arranged everything as well.

Having only a fraction of what you and Derek posted, I gotta wonder where you two store everything. Unused garage? Storage unit?

[nijimeijer]

Most of the figures fit in one tote apiece; the zombies and wolves are actually just PVC skeletons, so they break down quite well. The other stuff just gets placed on a big shelving rack we have in the back of the garage. Surprisingly, it doesn't end up taking that much room.