That year, I didn't make a single Halloween decoration, watch a single spooky movie, or carve a single pumpkin. I bought a pumpkin to carve, but every time I looked at it, I couldn't find the will to give it a face. Eventually, it just rotted (a depressing poetic metaphor for my mind at the time). The haunted attraction job, while initially a dream-come-true, had siphoned all of my Halloween spirit.
Even Pumpkinrot, whose displays I looked forward to each year, had disappeared. When no new haunt photos appeared on his website or blog, I felt like a kid on Christmas that woke up to find no gifts under the tree.*
I swore that Halloween 2020 would be different. And it was. I made time to watch my favorite Halloween media, carve pumpkins, bake some pumpkin bread, and even attended a couple Halloween parties. But most importantly in my mind, I decorated.
I wanted something simple and nostalgic for myself; A mix of whimsical and spooky. I cobbled together some simple scarecrows and bought those hokey white spiderwebs, plus a few orange string lights.
What I created was a display that took me right back to my childhood trick-or-treating days, and simultaneously embraced my "matured" Halloween aesthetic
I don't have many photos from that display, but I'm still pretty happy with it.
And that's enough.
*I am sure Rot had good reasons for taking his hiatus; Reasons he need not justify to his fans or anyone else. At the time I feared my biggest Halloween hero was gone, and that disappointment was a twisting of the knife that had already been sunk into my spooky heart. But that isn't Rot's responsibility, and I don't hold any disdain for his disappearance. I am, of course, simply glad he's back!
Beautiful pumpkins! It's always such a great feeling to get your Halloween self back after having a rough year!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, there is nothing like reigniting your passions.
DeleteI LOVE these jackos. It's obvious how much care and time you invested in getting the look & overall vibe of your decor just right. I'm glad you had a fulfilling Halloween season despite 2020 being a rough year all around. Art helps us get through stressful times!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I totally agree!
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