Extreme Halloween Displays Can Turn Any Street Into A Nightmare: Block Talk

Over-the-top Halloween displays are delightfully fun for some people and tacky or terrifying for others. They spark a mix of religious objections, concerns about their appropriateness for children, and complaints they turn normally serene neighborhood streets into gruesome nightmares.

Alternatively, they can be a source of harmless, wicked fun, several readers said of supersized displays in their responses to our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

We asked readers what they really think about extreme Halloween decorations. In the spirit of Halloween, we invited them to join the party and masquerade behind silly names.

“These displays are fun, seasonal, and a little silly. Nothing wrong; wusses should look for something else to cry about, or stay home,” said Falls Township, Pennsylvania, reader Well Adjusted, who reads Bensalem Patch and Levittown Patch.

Newton Square (Pennsylvania) Patch AM reader Cathy hopped into Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s “Wayback Machine” to enthusiastically applaud scream-worthy displays.

“I’m 70, have young grandchildren and have always enjoyed the horror part of Halloween,” Cathy said. “It touches our fears in a safe way.”

Cathy said she grew up watching horror movies and embracing their protagonists, and she turned out OK.

“Frankenstein, Mummy, Dracula, Wolfman, Godzilla and frightening witch depictions were the norm,” she said. “Smiling scarecrows and jack-o’-lanterns don’t accurately portray what Halloween’s about, and came into fashion in the ’90s.”

Cathy takes her grands to neighborhoods with large, scary displays.

“They love it,” she said. “They’re a bit frightened, yes, but totally drawn to it nonetheless. They ask to return over and over.”

Cathy also decorates for Halloween.

“Nothing cutesy can be included,” she said. “It’s the time of year to address our fears of death and the unknown, a totally human expression.”

‘Enough Horrifing Things In The World’

Reston (Virginia) Patch reader Stacey took the opposite view. She, too, decorates her home, but doesn’t include anything that is scary or gruesome.

“There are enough horrifying things in the world,” Stacey said. “And if you choose to watch a horror show or movie, that’s one thing. But I don’t want that experience maybe several times daily.”

“We do have some homes where the homeowners go overboard,” Yorkville (Illinois) Patch reader Lynda said. “I don’t have small children to scare the pants off, but every time I see the overabundance of Halloween decorations, and I don’t mean just a few, I see dollar signs.

“These things aren't cheap, and I could think of many other ways to spend that money, perhaps for good,” Lynda said.

Mom, a Patchogue (New York) Patch reader, said that providing context for young kids is what matters.

“We drive around the neighborhood looking at all the decorated houses. We specifically look and travel around to the super-decorated houses for fun,” Mom said. “Since they were little, we read books and talk about folklore of Halloween, All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos.

“They have grown up knowing the line between good make-believe and dangerous reality,” she said. “It is up to the parents to set the stage for children by their reactions to and explanation of the decorations.”

‘Their Yard, Their Right’

Concord (New Hampshire) Patch reader Morticia, whose favorite holiday is Halloween, doesn’t care if her neighbors pull out all the stops with displays.

“Their yard, their right to do so,” Morticia said.

“I don’t really care what my neighbors do,” said Oak Lawn (Illinois) Patch reader Cinderella. “They can decorate however they choose. For me, I prefer to decorate more child-friendly than scary. I don’t do oversized or scary, I have a happy ghost, and that is the scariest thing on display. Nothing talks, moves or flashes.”

Anne Arundel (Maryland) Patch reader Carolyn said her neighborhood gets Halloween right. She decorates “for fun, for tradition, and for the kids in the neighborhood who will be trick or treating.”

“We live in a friendly neighborhood. Even people we’ve never talked to will wave with polite friendliness,” Carolyn said. “In that environment, even with the most dramatic Halloween decor, there is more of a sense of fun than any real fear or sense that anyone has gone too far with their decorations.”

Traditions For The Generations

Freeport (New York) Patch reader Jude likes to go large with Halloween decorations.

“We do not do gore, terror or torture,” Jude said. “It’s just a spooky atmosphere with headstones, fog, lights and sound, and we dress in costumes. There is a bubbling cauldron created from a thrift shop find of a cast-iron cauldron. I am always a witch.”

About 400 trick-or-treaters stop by every year to get a special treat: a light stick. “This has gone on for so long, some former trick-or-treaters are now bringing their children,” Jude said.

Arlington (Virginia) Patch reader Jackie-O-Lantern and her neighbors decorate with trick-or-treaters in mind. It’s an annual tradition, with adults who grew up there now bringing their own children to Jackie-O-Lantern’s house.

“We have been decorating for over 25 years and get about 160–225 children and high schoolers every year,” she said. “Nothing too scary. Love watching the children’s reactions to our lights and decor. We don’t advertise, and we still get children from outside our neighborhood.”

“I am a Halloween haunter for 27 years now, and we have a large display. It’s grown over the years. Some parts are fun, some parts are scary. But nothing too graphic,” said a Brick (New Jersey) Patch reader, whose Halloween house is a neighborhood favorite for trick-or-treaters.

“It brings happiness and joy to a lot of families,” the reader continued. “For one night, everyone, young and old, can step away from what’s real into what’s fantasy. There’s smiles and laughs everywhere. I guess that’s why we have been doing it so long.”

“I got married on Halloween, so I have to say I love the decorations,” said Tampa (Florida) Patch reader Mongetron. “Decorate, but just simple, fun stuff outside.”

Tasteless, Yes, But Isn’t That The Point?

Nonnie in Connecticut had a one-word answer to the question about over-the-top displays:

“Tasteless.”

Nonnie, who reads Greenwich Patch, Stamford Patch, and Southington Patch, was among several readers who said Halloween displays are more tacky than terrifying or creepy.

More appealing, Nonnie said, are “natural wreaths, pumpkins, corn stalks and colorful leaf garlands to welcome the changing season in harmony with nature.”

“I think they are ridiculous and unnecessary,” said Waltham (Massachusetts) Patch reader JAC. “Is it an ego thing to outdo yourself each year?”

JAC doesn’t decorate.

“I have always thought it is a stupid tradition — the way it’s celebrated as well as the danger it poses for kids,” JAC said. “Carving pumpkins and going to apple orchards are much better October options. Save the neighbors by putting those outdoor gigantic displays in the next rubbish pickup.”

Port Jefferson (New York) Patch reader Ken said over-the-top Halloween displays are a nightmare, but not for obvious reasons.

“It’s bad in many ways, particularly environmentally,” Ken said. “Light and noise pollution, plastic crap that’ll end up in the dump; total waste of money, as well.”

Wyandotte (Michigan) Patch reader Mortisha is bored with the redundancy of over-the-top displays.

“I’m not a fan at all, mostly because too many are the same, and some are too gruesome even to look at when you drive by,” Mortisha said. “I can only imagine the parents dealing with nightmares.”

“I am not a fan of the scary decoration displays at all in the neighborhood setting,” said Michelle, who reads West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch and Ocean City (New Jersey) Patch. “If you want that kind of Halloween vibe, you should go spend an evening at a haunted house or other ‘haunted’ attractions during the season.”

“These extreme displays are totally tasteless, but isn't that the point?” Bridgewater (New Jersey) Patch reader Dean said. “They are for the amusement of children. I used to go nuts when my kids lived at home. Now they carry on the tradition in their own homes.”

Skeletons As The Grim Reaper

It’s the supersized skeletons that bother some readers, including an Across America Patch reader who goes by Scared by Skeletons.

“Not only am I overloaded by ginormous skeletons on the way to the grocery store, but I can’t walk into a Home Depot or Lowe’s without being greeted by these grotesque displays!” the reader said. “Enough is enough, and way too much for this gal.”

As an older person, the skeletons are a grim reminder that time is short, the reader said. Anti-Skeleton John, who reads Del Ray Patch and Arlington Patch, both in Virginia, agrees.

“Skeleton overload,” the reader said. “Sure, Halloween is for kids, but the enormous variety of skeletons — from tiny dog skeletons to the giant, 12-foot-tall version — are not fun to my wife and me, who are senior citizens. The older we become, the less fun these skeletons become, as you can imagine.”

“Our neighbors’ yard is overrun with them, including the giant one. Particularly disturbing is one they place mid-yard of a male skeleton comforting his wife’s skeleton as she leans on his shoulder,” Anti-Skeleton John said. “Let’s return to imaginary ghosts and witches, please, and abandon these realistic representations of death.”

“I find it garish and unsettling, especially since our neighbor leaves up these ghoulish, huge skeletons, werewolves and such through Christmas and just adds Santa caps on them,” said Marlborough (Massachusetts) Patch reader Marisa.

Concord (New Hampshire) Patch reader Tessa isn’t a fan, either. “Big displays are fine if they’re not too terrifying,” Tessa said. “I hate the huge skeletons and ghouls. Too gruesome.”

‘What Hell Looks Like’

Ghost, who reads San Carlos (California) Patch, thinks over-the-top decorations are “way too much!”

“On the other hand, maybe showing what hell looks like may save some people,” Ghost said.

Several readers said displays that seem to glorify death, darkness or the occult are incompatible with their spiritual and religious beliefs.

“As a Christian, these displays are feeding the demonic that are real in the spiritual realm,” said a Rancho Santa Margarita Patch reader who noted displays seem to go up earlier every year, and seem to be “darker and scarier.”

“It’s very unsettling for us, but for children, especially young ones, it can be traumatizing and cause nightmares,” the reader said.

Westhampton-Hampton Bays (New York) Patch reader Mary has questions, so many questions.

“Why does anyone want to celebrate so badly that they feel happy to glorify evil? Isn’t there enough real evil in this world? Why do you feel happy about this ugliness? All for the kids?” she said.

“That is what makes me wonder about the spiritual condition of your own heart,” Mary continued. “I prefer to separate myself from this junk and shed light on this world, not darkness.”

“You are worshiping the dark, evil devil in a way that makes him smile. Stop it,” said Jan the Man, a Joliet (Illinois) Patch reader. “Why are there no massive displays about the Son of God and other Bible stories? He is who provides us with everything we have.”

Jan the Man confines his yard decorations to “an American flag and some veteran stuff and my cross.”

The Non-Spooky, an Ellicott City (Maryland) Patch reader, thinks supersized Halloween displays are “too extreme and unnecessary.”

“They can be quite terrifying, and unfortunately, we’re forced to see them whether we want to, like it, or not,” The Non-Spooky said.

“I don’t really understand their purpose,” The Non-Spooky continued. “Halloween originally came from ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ the evening before All Saints’ Day, a time when people honored saints, learned to be better from the way they lived their lives and did good works,” the reader continued. “It’s unfortunate that it has turned into what it is today: unhealthy candy, excessive decorations, and the idea that children should collect as much as possible instead of focusing on doing something meaningful while having fun.”

Stories about unsafe treats only intensify The Non-Spooky’s Halloween woes.

“We’re living in strange times,” the reader seemed to sigh, “and I wish Halloween could return to something simpler and more positive.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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