Where are the Halloween decorations?! (Gorham, Rockland: mortgage, houses, neighborhoods)

[lovemaine]

We've noticed that here in Camden hardly anyone has decorated for Halloween. Is that normal for Maine? Even the surrounding towns haven't done much as far as decorating. Just curious. Whether living in WI or NC, there were always people who really decked out their front yards. Maybe it's a frugal Maine thing?? I'm curious to see if anyone decorates for Christmas... It's not that I'm complaining, just wondering....

[Maineah]

Some people decorate for Halloween, most don't. Pumpkins are as far as we go. We didn't even bother with those this year. I think decorations in general tend to follow the economy and mindset of people. In depressed times you'll see far fewer decorations as people tend to be less jovial when they're worrying about paying the mortgage or buying fuel for the winter. We put up very few Christmas decorations last year and I'm sure that trend will continue this year. You need to feel good about life to decorate and these times are finding many people down in the dumps.

[maureenb]

Hi lovemaine - Firstly, I agree with Maineah's insight re:decorating. And then, since I've been around here a few years, I know where to look for the regulars who go all out, and they are in fine form as usual. Maybe quality, not quantity around here. I always appreciate the fall harvest decorating folks do. It's less Halloween-y; more corn stalks, straw bales, mums, bittersweet and such. Maybe a scarecrow.

On Halloween Eve, please be sure and check out Pearl St. in Camden. The Police Dept. barricades Pearl between Free St. & Park St. Many homes on Pearl St. decorate, and homeowners participate in trick or treats. This is where I go on Halloween (if I can find a young one or more to go with me!).

As an aside (and I've never been), I've heard great things about the Haunted House that is going on in Rockland the next few weekends. Hope you have fun!

[elston]

I have noticed that the houses in my immediate neighborhood have some really pretty autumn displays with mums and pumpkins arranged on front porches and yards with store-bought scare crows, farm carts and wagons loaded with hay bales and pumpkins in the yard. Some of the houses have halloween stuff.....ceramic jack-o-lanterns and tomb stones on the front yard....and spider webs. It is all pretty tasteful and sorta like cover pictures for a home and garden magazine ala Martha Stewart.

I havent seen as many home made decorations...as I used to see. Last year the town of Gorham had a scare crow contest outside the library and families made some....it was fun ....but not a huge deal by any matter of means.

We have never gotten into out door xmas decorations...and for halloween this year havent gone beyond a large illuminated Jack-o-lantern on the front porch.

[lovemaine]

We like to put up a few decorations because of the kids. We don't have a lot, but it's fun for them to decorate. After Halloween, I always try to buy a few things when they're 75% off.
When we lived in subdivisions out of state, it seemed like people were always trying to outdo themselves when it came to decorating. We never got into it, but it sure was fun seeing neighbors spend so much money just so that they could win the neighborhood decorating contest....

maureenb, thank you for the Pearl St. reminder. Our realtor had told us about that when we were house hunting. He said it's the place to be for trick or treating. Can't wait!

Happy Halloween everyone!

[timnwin]

Originally Posted by elston

I have noticed that the houses in my immediate neighborhood have some really pretty autumn displays with mums and pumpkins arranged on front porches and yards with store-bought scare crows, farm carts and wagons loaded with hay bales and pumpkins in the yard.

That's what people down here in Mississippi do also...bales of hay piled up with Mums, pumpkins, scarecrows, etc decorated in yards. A few people around here do lights and little things you can find at family dollar...but nothing big time. The *richer* folks get the blow up decorations....pumpkins, etc....but most of us just do jack-o-lanterns on halloween...maybe the day before. (now in the town I grow up in...the bigger neighborhoods go all out with decorations and haunted houses all decked out for trick or treaters)

[woolwiTch]

My theory: It's part of all the weather-based confusion we've had this year. Everybody thinks Halloween has come and gone already because it's so cold out and we had (a little) snow yesterday, even.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by timnwin

That's what people down here in Mississippi do also...bales of hay piled up with Mums, pumpkins, scarecrows, etc decorated in yards. A few people around here do lights and little things you can find at family dollar...but nothing big time. The *richer* folks get the blow up decorations....pumpkins, etc....but most of us just do jack-o-lanterns on halloween...maybe the day before. (now in the town I grow up in...the bigger neighborhoods go all out with decorations and haunted houses all decked out for trick or treaters)

OMG those inflatable decorations are the tackiest things I have ever seen.....but I like them! I wanted to get one to make the neighbors angry as they would NEVER have anything so tacky in their yards around here. DW nixed the idea right away. They even give us hints that we have put up too many Christmas lights in the past. My goal someday....a street with no neighbors!

[msina]

Best inflatable Halloween decoration I've seen this year is a "ghost on a motorcycle" in Lee.