Monday, October 1, 2007

Smiling Season Begins

As it is the first of October, our Halloween bins are coming out of storage. Boxes full of fun little treasures that make us smile.

The flotsam and jetsam of Halloween decorations have multiplied over the years at my house without rhyme or reason other than we like them. And we’ve had fun coming up with costume ideas for various and sundry parties. Halloween time is something we thoroughly enjoy.

I recently read an online article by an interior decorator in which she provides rules as to how to decorate elegantly for Halloween—any other way is tacky, she stated. Then I found a few blogs that assert decorating for Halloween or any other season is in poor taste. This made me think about how we do things at our house and why.

Seasonal decorating is a big thing in my subdivision. It’s a community effort that has us talking to each other and sharing ideas. Too bad the whole world can’t work together like this.


On Halloween night, we enjoy chatting with parents as they accompany their little clowns, ballerinas, and ghosts to our front door. My husband and I think the children are sweet examples of faith in the inherent goodness of people. These darling costumed characters go door-to-door with their little cries of “Trick-or-Treat,” trusting that it will indeed be a treat.

Good taste is finding ways to celebrate life in a way that brings joy and amity with others. A simple smile is always in good taste.

I’ll accept being tacky. As such, my tacky decorations are going up. And I’m smiling.

14 comments:

Mrs.Kwitty said...

I agree with you whole-heartedly JunieMoon! You know what is really tacky, is making others feel inferior for enjoying the simple things in their life that bring them happiness. Have fun!
Smiles, Karen

dottycookie said...

Good for you. For what it's worth I think your decorations look great. We're looking forward to decorating for Halloween too, even though it isn't widely celebrated in the UK. It really captures the children's imagination though!

Anonymous said...

Well said June. The joy that children get from the holidays overrides what others might think about how we choose to decorate. My children are grown now, but I still have the fondest memories of dressing them up and trick or treating through the neighborhood. One parent took the kids while the other stayed home to pass out candy. And you are right, at the end of the day, it was all about smiles. :)
~Jan

Kristie said...

I'm with Mrs. Kwitty. There is nothing elegant about being nasty and assuming you're the only one in the world who knows what's right. Blech!

Lena said...

June, you've described the way I feel about Halloween and trick or treaters perfectly! I loved Halloween as a child, and still look so forward to it. I love seeing all the children, all dressed up, and looking forward to their treats. It is still a favorite holiday of mine and many of my friends too. I think of it, as simply an old fashioned holiday, and an excuse to have fun, and make others happy. That includes decorating for it, which I've already started to do. Just wait 'til you see my "tacky" piano top! LOL! My friends and I do a lot of crafting for it too.
I've enjoyed your post and decorations, and look forward to more smiles with you!

a pink-bee said...

What fun decorations ! I love Oct. and Halloween :) Did you see the cottage of the month at The Old Painted Cottage ? It's decorated for halloween too :)
http://theoldpaintedcottage.com/cottagemonth.html

Have a Happy Day !
crystalxo

African Kelli said...

Bravo Junie! I love those decorations. And anyone who says otherwise is probably just snotty.

Anonymous said...

Hey! It's Halloween! If it's not a little tacky then you're just not trying hard enough. :) What's elegant and tasteful about skeletons and witches?? To me, Halloween is the most fun holiday to decorate for and I have a 4-1/2' tall plastic skeleton to prove it.

Me and Him said...

I love decorating for Halloween. We don't celebrate it in Australia, so it wasn't until I moved to Canada that I started. I don't care if it's tacky. I heart it.

Overwhelmed! said...

Wow, what great Halloween decorations. You put mine to shame. :)

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I look forward to seeing you this Friday for my Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style recipe exchange!

Unknown said...

Love the photos and decor! You did a super job. thanks for shaing!

Home ec new Haven said...

I love when people decorate for halloween! Our neighborhood does a big parade at the seawall followed by cider and doughnuts.....I get a tremendous sense of community from it all plus the kids have a great time!
Personally, I don't have the time to invest in Halloween decorating although my husband says we have a good start with some of the cobwebs starting in the ceiling corners.......this is another story for another time :/.....

Jen Kershner said...

It is such a fun time of year. Halloween is actually my little one's favorite holiday. I'm enjoying seeing my decorations up although I wish I had lots more!

Unknown said...

I think that your decorations are gorgeous! I personally think that if it's not tacky it's no fun!