With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

What do you do when you Trick or Treat?
User avatar
Pumpkin56
Halloween Master
Posts: 1428
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:33 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992

With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Pumpkin56 » Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:25 pm

Every year I set up a little haunt in the front yard, I keep the porch lights off so as not to clash with the eerieness of the graveyard. I figured, if the haunt is illuminated with blue lights and there is sound effects, AND the front door is wide open, TOTers will know that this is a house that they can get candy at. I haven't had more than 30 TOTers though in the last 3 years so I'm wondering if the porch light has something to do with it? Should I turn it on this year?

User avatar
ramaries69
Halloween Master
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:30 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Location: somewhere over the rainbow...

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by ramaries69 » Mon Oct 03, 2011 6:14 pm

I have one or two suggestions

You can either put a sign for the tots directing them to the candy. Or replace the
light bulb(s) in the porch with a red, blue or black light or lowest wattage...so that it won't be as bright.

User avatar
SpookyBlackKat
Master Reaper
Posts: 189
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:50 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Location: Tallahassee, Fl

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by SpookyBlackKat » Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:35 pm

I agree here. With the haunt, it should be obvious. But you could always be that house that decorates but is oddly out of town on the day of or something. IDK, I would go to your door. But I had the same concern last year. I'll probably switch out the bulb for something low watt or frame the door with a garland/rope light combo so there's light but it doesn't ruin the mood.
I've met The Great Pumpkin.

http://pumpkinbump.wordpress.com/

User avatar
MacPhantom
Halloween Master
Posts: 6178
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:56 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Contact:

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by MacPhantom » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:06 pm

An orange compact fluorescent party bulb in your porch light gives a creepy glow, and let's folk know you are open for bidness!

User avatar
joossa
Master Reaper
Posts: 112
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:54 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Location: CA, USA

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by joossa » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:43 pm

MacPhantom wrote:An orange compact fluorescent party bulb in your porch light gives a creepy glow, and let's folk know you are open for bidness!
Any suggestions on where to get one for cheap?
-Joel from Southern California

Image

User avatar
MacPhantom
Halloween Master
Posts: 6178
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:56 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Contact:

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by MacPhantom » Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:01 pm

They sell for about four bucks everywhere, which is pricey for a bulb but cheap for a decoration. I've seen them at WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot, and most places where fine lighting accessories are sold.

Murfreesboro
Halloween Master
Posts: 6253
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:56 am
What is the highest number?: 10992

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Murfreesboro » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:33 am

Yes, you do need a porch light. That is the signal to TOTers that you are home and want company. Getting an orange one, or very low wattage, is a great idea.

User avatar
Pumpkin56
Halloween Master
Posts: 1428
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:33 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Pumpkin56 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:38 am

I might look into the orange bulb for the porch lights. But I also have a lamp post in my yard as well that takes weird bulbs. That thing might just need to be dark for the evening.

Murfreesboro
Halloween Master
Posts: 6253
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:56 am
What is the highest number?: 10992

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Murfreesboro » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:45 am

I have seen people put black lights into their lampposts. That wouldn't give off much light but would add to the atmosphere.

User avatar
Pumpkin_Man
Halloween Master
Posts: 6767
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:23 pm

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Pumpkin_Man » Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:19 pm

I would say that would depend on the yard haunt. It the yard haunt is well lit up, then there may be no need for the front porch light. However, it may be necessary if the yard haunt does not give off a lot of light, and it gets really dark, then the ToTers may think that house isn't giving out candy.

Mike

User avatar
Spookymufu
Halloween Master
Posts: 9373
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:42 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992
Location: Somewhere in south Texas
Contact:

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Spookymufu » Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:05 pm

Murfreesboro wrote:I have seen people put black lights into their lampposts. That wouldn't give off much light but would add to the atmosphere.
thats what we do, I usually put one of those incandescent black lights, or a colored bulb in the porch light.
http://theyard.netii.net/
"You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar but if you pull their wings off they'll eat whatever you give them!"

User avatar
witchy
Halloween Master
Posts: 7676
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:11 pm
What is the highest number?: 9
Location: Everywhere, on my broom!!

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by witchy » Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:16 pm

I put these up every year!!
Halloween-Sparkling-Pumpkin-Porch-Light-Cover.jpg
Halloween-Sparkling-Pumpkin-Porch-Light-Cover.jpg (19.12 KiB) Viewed 44532 times

User avatar
Pumpkin56
Halloween Master
Posts: 1428
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:33 pm
What is the highest number?: 10992

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Pumpkin56 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:33 pm

Where did you find those Witchy? My theme this year is pumpkins :)

User avatar
witchy
Halloween Master
Posts: 7676
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:11 pm
What is the highest number?: 9
Location: Everywhere, on my broom!!

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by witchy » Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:28 pm

Pumpkin56 wrote:Where did you find those Witchy? My theme this year is pumpkins :)

Here ya go!! :wink:

http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/ ... to-choose/
Image

User avatar
Jack Skellington
Halloween Master
Posts: 1302
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:28 am
What is the highest number?: 10992
Location: Hallowe'en Town!

Re: With a yard haunt, should the porch lights stay on?

Post by Jack Skellington » Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:41 pm

witchy wrote:I put these up every year!!
Halloween-Sparkling-Pumpkin-Porch-Light-Cover.jpg
WOW! These are awesome Witchy!
Yours in haunting;

The Pumpkin King of Hallowe'en Town

Post Reply