Many years ago I started decorating my house for Halloween.  This was before I ever heard the term "Yard Haunt".  My decorating grew over the years, but then I moved and ended up in an apartment for several years.  I once again have my own place, and my life has settled down, so I have started "decorating" again.  Last year it was quite plain, with only a few headstones.  This year I have increased the number of tombstones, and built a coffin.  BTW, I moved into this house on Oct. 31, 2004.

 


Completed coffin with skeleton hanging inside, before installing the lights.
 

Fully painted and on display.
 
Night time all lit up.
"Jack" is one of the few decorations I have left from my early years.
 

The full Graveyard:
 
Same picture, but in black and white just because I like the way it looks.


This is my costume, testing the effect.  I will have a table set in front of the porch with a cauldron full of candy and a sign that says "Help Yourself".  As people reach for the candy, I stand up.  I am debating setting up a second dummy just to help maintain the illusion, but I don't think I will have time.
 		 For some Halloween background images, check out
Free Fun and Games Halloween Desktop Wallpapers.

Graveyard:
  • 14 Tombstones (all store bought)
  • Two hanging ghosts
  • One zombie
  • One giant spider
  • Graveyard sign
  • Fog machine with chiller
  • Two green lights for general lighting and one red for the zombie

Porch:
  • Werewolf
  • Jack-O-Lantern
  • Skull Statuette
  • Skeleton Mobile
  • Fog machine under candy table
  • Actor in costume

 

The original instructions for the coffin are from Casa de Sade.  Note, sketch B says "piece from 'A'", it should read "piece from 'C'".  If you intend to get inside, the sides are only 8.5" high, normal size feet will not fit if you close the lid.  Inside height is 5' 8".  I painted the inside black, then painted red over that before the black was completely dry, creating what I think is a very nice effect.  I installed some purple rope light along the inside edge and then used some 1/4" x 1.5" strips to line the top and hide the lights.  I got some 7" decorative hinges from Lowe's for the lid and some drawer handles (also from Lowe's) to attach to the sides.