From Zombos' Closet

Halloween 2014: Walgreens Animated Rocking Granny and Haunted Tree

Found some more fun decorations for my Halloween home at Walgreens. This year, so far, has been stellar at providing decorations, blow-ups, and animatronic toys to spook the neighbors with. I'll have a video of the Animated Rocking Granny (not a granny I'd like to have, mind you) and the Animated Haunted Tree posted soon, but they're keepers for sure. I couldn't resist. The large banjo playing skeleton is really cool, too, but I have a smaller version that takes up less space. But definitely a good table topper choice if you're throwing a party.

Halloween 2014: CVS Stores Singing Candlestick and More

CVS Stores is ramping up their Halloween offerings this year. I found a Raven skeleton, singing and dancing candlestick, very creepy animated clowns, light-up skull, Frankenstein Monster head in a jar (lights up, too), animated haunted castle (take that Lemax!), skull-light lantern with scary voice, a candy bowl to die for, and Mr. Pumpkin and Mr. Zombie solar powered nodders. Whew. This Halloween's haul I'm taking from retailers is looking quite good indeed.

Halloween Inflatable Bleeding Heart Skeleton

Well, the inflatable skeleton blown up isn't quite what it looks like in the illustration, is it? Bummer. Probably what William Castle's Emergo skeleton looked like. No wonder the audience threw stuff at it. I'd like to throw stuff at this one, too.

Halloween 2014: Dollar Tree Stores Monstrous Boxes and Floor Mats

These floor mats at Dollar Tree stores are very thin, so I'd not expect much walking on them. But for Halloween, you could put them out as table mats, floor mats, or as backdrops for that table-top little foggy maker or zombie-head cheese dip bowl. Go ahead, be creative. And these decorative boxes (they come in three sizes), are great for displaying your candy treats for party guests.

Halloween 2014: Dollar Tree Stores Monstrous Lenticular Decorations

Once again, Dollar Tree Stores have some unique Halloween decorations. This year I found these lenticular monster faces. Lenticular means they're holographic 3D, which is a really cool effect. Unfortunately you can't see the 3D depth in these flat pictures, but they are impressive. Note that the Frankenstein Monster has his neck bolts NOT on his neck, and his Bride has neck bolts, even though she DOESN'T. I won't even quibble about the exposed brain for Frankie. Still a treat to add to your Halloween collection.

Halloween 2014: Rite Aid Stores Dracula, Mummy, Frankie Tea Lights

I found these wonderful Dracula, Mummy, and Frankenstein Monster tea light holders at Rite Aid. Spook house designing and colorations make them irresistable (to me, at least). I almost missed them as they were tucked on to a top shelf. I'm betting these will sell out rather quickly. Also found were a few candy-holder animatronics and two natty LED top-hatted skeletons, though I think there's one more to the set, or should be (see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil).

Halloween 2014: Home Depot Spooky Phone, Witch Way Flight School and Chia Zombies

Found these entertaining Halloween treats at Home Depot today. The Spooky Phone is killer. Scary sayings when you pick up the handset (or set the sensor), and the eyes on the skull light up. The Witch Way Flight School lights up as the witches fly around overhead. The Chia Zombies are wild and cool looking enough to keep out all year long. Nicely made items and fun additions to your decorative endeavors. 

Halloween Rubie's Spooky Decoration Skull, Dracula, Ghosts

These illustrations are killer. The execution of this novelty, not so much. That black 'Press Here' label wasn't meant to be removed (underneath is wiring and solder), so these beautiful decorations are marred by that big black dot in the center. And you can't change the button battery unless you cut into the back to find it. Tsk, tsk.

Halloween Gemmy Disco Frankenstein

I saw this dancing Frankenstein Monster at CVS. Probably Gemmy. Wish it used the Monster Mash music, though. I would have bought it if it did. How can you not have Frankie dance to the Monster Mash?

Halloween 2013: CVS Stores Decorations

Making the usual rounds, CVS keeps impressing me with their taste in Halloween decorations each year. Ever since the GREAT RECESSION, I've not seen as much Halloween merchandise in the stores; and what's showing up is usually not at the quality level I've seen years back. But visiting CVS stores and other local haunts each year is never disappointing, I'll say that. I especially love the pumpkin vine arms!

Now if only I could find a LITTLE MORE ROOM in my house...and once I do, sneak in with the stuff before my wife catches me...I'd be right as rain ;)

Halloween 2013: Rite Aid Decorations

Saw these nifty Halloween decorations at Rite Aid, and they're running a 50% off sale, to boot! So don't dawdle.

Halloween 2013: Light-Up Monster Cups At Walmart

Walmart's carrying these Halloween light-up plastic cups, with the faces of Dracula, a Witch, a Zombie, and the Frankenstein Monster. Vivid colors, stylish art. I'll drink to that.