[lewlew]

It seems like every year this time everyone wants advice on how to best run their home haunt,
decorate their yard, best props, mistakes you've made, etc...

It also happens that after the big day is already over, there is always a thread
about "what did you learn, what went wrong?".

So I thought why not tell us the top three things that you've all learned through the
years before Halloween. It can be about anything. Props, home decor, parties, costumes, whatever.

Let everyone benefit from your experience (and there's a lot of experience around here!!!)

For myself I would say my top 3 are:

1) Don't spend so much time on every little detail. Most of the time it is washed out by
lighting or people are moving by so fast they don't see it. That's not to say that some detail isn't
needed, it just means you (I) shouldn't be a perfectionist.

2) Start earlier! Like Nov 1st. I'm sure that just about everyone here wishes they had more
time to get ready. Hit those after Halloween sales and start planning for next year while it's
still fresh in your mind.

3) Setting the scene is sometimes more important than the actual scare itself. I know this sometimes
conflicts with my #1, but it helps get people in the mood to get the crap scared out of them. (i.e. lighting,
fog, tombstones, cornstalks, skeletons, whatever creeps you out.)

So what advice do YOU have?

 

[DeathTouch]

These are mine.

1) Stop sniffing all the glue when doing paper mache. Sometimes it makes me see things that just are not there.

2) I have learned that just because it is on sale or looks good in the paper doesn't mean it is a good buy. Somethings just don't looks as good up front as they do in the catalog.

3) Never use your next door neighbor’s house to display your props. Specially without asking. LOL. You can’t imagine a groundbreaker flying unless you place it in someone else’s yard.

 

[jdubbya]

1. Don't tackle too many projects. Focus on a couple "must have" props and execute these to your satisfaction. So many times you read "laundry lists" of things people are trying to get finished and most of them fall short or don't even get started. It just adds to the stress and can spoil the fun we're all supposed to have.

2. Have a contingency plan! Whether it be back up actors/helpers, preparing for weather, or even making major adjustments to your display or haunt. Things sometimes will not go off like we plan.

3. I have to echo the "start early" idea. Don't wait until October 10th and figure you have three more props to build. Give yourself plenty of time and enjoy the process. (A lesson I learned too late in life!)

 

[EvilQueen1298]

1. Make sure your fogger is working. Don't wait till Oct. 31st to find out.
2. Come up with your game plan well in advance....a year is good but for many 4th of July is a good time to begin.
3. Make sure you have PLENTY of time to set up your yard on the day. I live were it gets dark by 5pm. If one gets home by 3.....you can be in a lot of trouble. Take the day off afterall...it IS Halloween!

 

[Ms. Wicked]

I never learn.

 

[Shakes]

1. Plan for the Weather
2. To many distractions take away from your good prop.
3. Don't post pictures of your props you plan on re-using on a website your partygoers will see.

.

 

[jackielantern]

1. Sometimes less is more. One good prop with "supporting" items that envoke all the senses can have more of an impact than a bunch of small things.

2. Don't serve spicy food at an alcohol saturated party. Trust me...I speak from experience. But I did get to get some new carpet outta the deal! Do serve at least one carb heavy item. ie: bread, crackers

3. However long you think something will take, double it.

 

[jackielantern]

3. Don't post pictures of your props you plan on re-using on a website your partygoers will see.

.

No kidding!

I bought a shirt from another message board I belong too, then I thought - When am I gonna wear it? I can't let people know the sites I frequent, cuz then I can't freely talk or ask advise without them possibly knowing what I'm up to before the "big night". It's not like they are halloween nuts like us, that would be ongoing members, but I know a few that would lurk just to try to find out what I'm up too.

 

[ScareShack]

I never learn.

LOL....me niether.

I would say for me 3 things i have learned.
1. set up in advance and test everything, dont need problems when ur ready.
2. lighting is key, take some time placing it and trying different colors.
3.keep safety in mind for ur guests and also plan on ur Security attack, as how u plan to keep ur stuff from growing legs and walking.

 

[meltdown211]

Here is mine...

Dont use entension cords plugged into your neighbors outlets without asking...things can go dark "in the midst" when they see their electric meter spinning wildly...

110v's can REAAAALLLY make your hair "curly"...no matter how straight it is. It can also give you a black index finger...and your butt hole may pop out. true story...at least thats what it felt like..

On Halloween, dont inappropriately grope the "hot" Trick or Treater Moms as they want a photo with you in costume...they will punch you in the mouth, even with a zombie mask on.

Be aware of the placement of your extension cords in your front yard, especially if you can't see well out of your mask...you could trip and fall on a foam gravestone, skulls, and a wodden cross, crush them, and then pull out all of your graveyard lights and have several of your trick or treater neighbors laughing their butts off..

Dont "Hold out" on the "good" candy for the TOT's, when they find out you gave them the stale "almond joys" they have a habit of being "rocketed" at you when you turn your back...

Falling from the roof is ALOT farther than it looks...and those "pile of leaves" make VERY poor cushions...

Jeeze...Im like Confusious.... yes grasshopper...

 

[ScareShack]

1 more thing to my list.

If u have under ground ulities such as cable, phone, elect. and such, dont drive any stakes in the ground before they are marked.
It's a free service just call ur ulity company. If u break a wire like cable or something and u dont call u are responible for the cost repair!
If they are marked first, then u are not, if missed marked.
Some ulitites are lower buried than u may think.

 

[slimy]

1. No need to waste time with sleep. Too much decorating to do to let that get in the way.

2. No matter how much you plan for wind, rain or the elements, something will go HORRIBLY wrong. Deal with it.

3. Consume vast amounts of a hard liquor the entire month. This really helps with advice number 2.

 

[The GooGoo Man]

OK this is what I have learned.....

1. This is the day you have been working all year for , take the day off !!!!
2. Dont let large numbers of people in your haunt at once.Allow them in three or four at a time.It makes for a better scare and the suspence of waiting in line adds to the excitement.It will also give you time to prep your prey for whats inside ....set the mood !
3. Creepy music and speacial f/x sounds are an absolute must!!! I have a small garage haunt however I use 3 sound systems throughout my haunt , it sets the atmosphere and anyone within ears reach will surely venture to your house to investigate.

Dont just spook them .......Make them pee their pants !!!!!!!

 

[Death Wraith]

1) People WILL walk through your graveyard if there is no fence

2) Fog chillers cause slippery floors when used inside

3) There will always be at least one teen who calls your haunt 'retarded'

4) It takes a whole lot longer to set-up than to tear-down

 

[Lilly]

For my party
1. I make a list of what I need from store at least 2 months ahead of time,
this means a list of food that I'm making ,then all the ingredients for those.
Very Important here >>LIQUOR LIST
Who am I kidding I do this the week after The party is over for the next yr!!
2. Start setting up bar in sept then take the 1 week before party off to start setting up everything else ..time for touch ups then ..no running like a chicken with it's head cut off then.
Prepare for Bloody Mary Sunday (the day after the party party)
Need More LIQUOR!!!
3. Take a deep breath and start planning all over again.

 

[Ghoulbug]

i can attest to lilly's remarks only she actually starts planning during the making of the first bloody mary! Also..2 days before the big bash don't forget to try all those creepy shots you've been thinking of making. This is always fun!! haha

 

[Ghoulbug]

meltdown maybe you should hire someone to do your "dirty work" haha. That way you'll make it thru the night.. haha

 

[slightlymad]

Three things I have learned. HMMMmm only three.

1. Set someone up at the entrance (end of side walk) for the littles one who wont, cant come close. This also stops the parents who insist on dragging the through.

2.Something will fail during the big day no matter how well you tested and planed. Have another drink and forget about it untill nov 1st.

3. Always take good photos during the day so you remember what you have and dont duplicate effort by accident.

4. Store everything very carefully and tape all openings moth balls and rodent poison are VERY inportant

 

[trishaanne]

NOW he mentions that!!! Thanks ALOT.
Lily, I understand the planning thing. Knowing that this is the last party, I started planning this one in 2005. I want every last detail to be perfect, with maybe a few surprises thrown in there too!

 

[Spartan005]

1) To ensure that you are not broke by October 31, make sure to go to Party City, Spencers and all of the Halloween stores on November 1 to get the best prices. However just because something is cheap doesn't mean you have to buy it.
2) Weather is a bitch. Especially when 60 mph gusts of wind knocked down everything you worked so hard for. Basically... Reinforce the living **** out of your haunt.
3) Don't feel bad for the little kid that is forced to go in your haunt. You've been there before and got over it, and now its our turn to make the little children cry. And its frikin hilarious.