I guess its been a couple of years since I shared how Halloween Decorating goes here at Ullabenulla's house. My Daughter, now 13, loves Halloween as much as I do and plays a major role in how things are displayed at this time of year. In THIS POST 3 years ago you can see things do not look too different from today. As a Mother I love seeing how my daughter gets excited about holidays and decorating. As a Designer, I gently try to teach her mature ways of seeing and making a display look good. We 'discussed' a few things about decorating and display this year.
First: I really do subscribe to the 'Less Is More' concept - really! I just love collecting so much that sometimes 'More is More'. Anyone else sail in that same boat??? Well, this year I had hoped to really go through my boxes of Halloween goodies, and ONLY pull out my favorite pieces. Alas, my daughter kept pulling back everything I put aside, with words of; "Mooommm, I LOVE that one!" or "That's my Favorite one!!!" So, in conclusion, very very very little got put back into the boxes, and almost EVERYTHING is now on display. (note: My favorite addition to this years mantel is an antique Bat School Poster, from the Czech Republic, that I framed in black, see above ~ isn't it great?)
Second: I tried to talk her through how things look great in groups, but 'lets try to make them look like they are in conversation together, not lined up like little tin soldiers'. She got that one quickly, putting cats with cats, and bats with bats... now everyone seems to be enjoying the party. Then the idea of 'Collections look wonderful in groups of 3'! "But Mom, we have so much more than 3 of these..."
Third, what about colors? I dream of having a 'black and white' halloween display some year, but it won't be this year... "How can you decorate for Halloween without Orange Mom?" As you can see, It just isn't possible, at least not this year... 
I really believe in letting children find their own rhythm in design, decor and fashion. And letting my daughter be the 'Master of Decorations' for Holidays is part of my respecting this belief. Its not always easy, as I truly LOVE to play house, but I know that some day down the road, I'll have my own time to decorate just as I chose. For now, Halloween, at least in this house, belongs to its 13 year old mistress!
