Thinking "Outside the Box"...

[I B Howlin' Wolfman]

GRRrrr!
I hate having to put away the stuff for Halloween.
I'd leave it all up, 'cept I'm sure they would throw a net over me.

So I decided that I will leave a few Halloween items out for the year. I mean, people leave their christmas lights up year round. So what's the harm in a little Halloween for the rest of the year?

Now... I haven't exactly figured out which item(s) are going to be a part of my life for the next 365 days. But I was wonder'n, if you do the same?

And if you do, "What will you leave out of the box?"

[Stranger with candy]

As you know, I've always kept my gargoyles out. To me though, they're not actually Halloween, as I've purchased several mid-year from here and there. They're just more appreciated (by others) at Halloween time. The rest of the year they just get an odd glance.

I do keep out a set of skull candle holders that ARE a Halloween purchase from a few years ago. My kiddo was little when I bought them and she pitched a fit about me leaving them out, so I took them to my room. This year they ARE staying out right on top of my saltwater tank where they're sitting now. 'Ain't nobody stopping me!'

And I'll keep out my new raven :nod: He's just so delightful here on my desk next to two smaller gargoyles.

[One Eye'd Jack]

Hehehe...... I get it, "Outside the Box". Clever, Wolfie!
Yes, I will and do leave things up all year....... Not all of it but I've got a lot of favorite things, especially after this years 'Gift Exchange' with MHooch and the wonderful 'Heart-String' package I got from Dutchess (MAHS).

[I B Howlin' Wolfman]

ZoInKs!
I forgot to tell you guys what I was going to leave out of the box!
I got so involved with setting up the vote, I forgot to tell you. So
here's what's staying out all year round. The underscored words
are links to particular items which you will find on that webpage.

Blackened Kitchen (complete w/pumpkins and the burial urns.)
Reason:
The blackened cabinets look a lot better than the creme/beige
color which the plastic covers. I think the surface actually cleans
up better and may help protect the real cabinets. The pumpkins
take up a lot of storage space, and I could use that space for the
bodies -I-I-I mean, "Dummies"! yes, I'm sure that's what I
ment to say... Dummies...

Skeleton Pirate
Reason:
This is also a huge prop and the latex will deform in storage. He's got
a better chance of "survival" right where he is. Besides, a layer of REAL
dust, which will accumulate on him over the year, (I'm a guy, so you
know how far the idea of "dusting" goes,) would actually look great.

Hidden Hallway
Reason:
I just think the curtains & the Talking Boris look great.
But the effects IN the hall will be stored away for next year.

The Blacklights
Reason:
I hate moving these guys around. These were moved around so much
this year too. The fixtures are flimsy and I don't want to risk the possibility
of breakage. Their on the ceiling, so their not in the way. Putting them in
the storage closet is one big pain, because so much stuff is in the way.

Monofilament Supports for Strings of Lights
Reason:
I'll take the Halloween chaser lights down, but I'll replace them with
a few sets of LED Christmas light strings like I had there before.

[SpookShowBaby]

I too would love to leave things up and live in my world of punkins (most of my decorations fall under this theme), but my fiance had a good point. If it is up all year, you wont be able to look forward to putting them out next year! So I just leave my punkin soap dispenser and a couple throw blankets out

[airhead]

I have my favorite decorations, but I put them away after Halloween and go on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[MHooch]

I have a few signs in my kitchen that stay up year round, and a gorgeous suncatcher that is a JOL face.

And of course, the Magic Pumpkin!!