
Haiku of the Week

A day late and a dollar short, that’s what’s going on my tombstone. Apparently, I was naughty this year, so Krampus brought me a nasty cold for Christmas. Not sick enough to die, luckily, but sick enough to miss my blog post-deadline. Mea culpa. It’s been a rotten week.
The good news is being sick means you get to eat soup, cuz soup is great for colds. It’s also great for cold, rainy days. So, thanks to the folks over at the Gourmet Food Store for this perfectly simple and tasty recipe for Spiderweb Soup with Halloween shaped croutons: https://www.gourmetfoodstore.com/spiderweb-soup-halloween-recipe-15336
Ingredients:
For the full recipe and cooking instructions, please go here: https://www.gourmetfoodstore.com/spiderweb-soup-halloween-recipe-15336
If you still have leftover ham, this soup pairs fangtastically with a ham and cheese panini.
white snow
rivers of blood
war on Christmas
twinkling lights
stranger in my house
not santa
Halloween fans are dreaming of a dark and moody Christmas. Forget the goofy grandma sweaters and wicker baskets full of over-processed cheese and stale crackers, this year, slay the holidays with some frighteningly awesome gifts for your favorite Halloween lover or yourself!
THE STOCKING STUFFERS
Halloween miniatures, $2-$20
Help your Halloween fan get a jump on creating a miniature display for next season with these adorable little Halloween miniatures.
Halloween and horror pins, $5-20
Pins make the best stocking stuffers. Most are cheap but the collectibles can be more expensive.
https://lunarcryptco.com/search?type=product&q=pins
Vintage-style Halloween magnets, and stickers from Vintage Spooky Company, $5
Graphic designer Gary makes all his own original Halloween and monster art, inspired by vintage Halloween wares and other spooky stuff.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Vintagespookycompany
Batteries, $8-$40
Don’t laugh. Everyone needs batteries. Sure, you could go for AA or AAA, but I suggest those CR2032 batteries that go in tea lights and animatronics. Those little guys get costly. Believe me, they are so appreciated.
LAST MINUTE BUYS FROM AMAZON
Llewellyns 2020 Magical Mystical Calendar featuring artwork by Lisa Parker, $15
Llewellyns make the best mystical, spiritual and witchy calendars, and they’ve once again teamed up with renowned fantasy artist Lisa Parker for 12 months of magical felines
Gracula Garlic Twist Crusher, $16
The kitchen is one of the hardest rooms in the house to decorate for Halloween fans and this little garlic crusher is simply delightful. This little novelty item is probably not good for serious cooks and heavy usage but seems perfect for once-a-blue-moon meals.
Black Candle Pillar Holders, $20
Every good witch needs a little iron and light to help ward off evil. Black candle pillar holders come in many shapes, sizes and styles, start here:
Haunted Skull Cake Pan, $28
The Nordic Ware Haunted Skull Cakelet Pan is an absolute treasure. You can make pizza skulls, skull muffins, skull burritos, Dia de Los Muertos cakes and whatever your imagination can come up with. This quality cast aluminum, non-stick pan is a must-have for any Halloween lover’s kitchen.
TIME TO SPARE
Poe Ornaments and Tea Ball Infusers by Annabel Lee and Me, $9-10
Annabel Lee and Me specialize in Poe centric and gothic wares. After you put up your dark and spooky Christmas tree covered in Poe ornaments, sit back with a nice cuppa hot tea.
Prints from the Edward Gorey Collection, $12
Eccentric artist Edward Gorey liked to draw creepy creatures and cats. He even drew the Prince of Darkness in a whimsical scene. If you’re ever in Yarmouth Port, MA, stop by the Gorey House Museum.
The Ghoulish Grimoire books by artist Diana Levin and author Shawn Givens, $12
Now on the 7th issue, these unique horror anthologies feature stunning black/white pen and ink illustrations, accompanied by two short stories, sometimes poems and other musings, which are always the perfect blend of creepy and macabre imagination. Back issues from this talented couple are still available. Get them before they’re gone!
https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/books
Horror Movie T-shirts from Fright Rags, $25-40
Halloween fans and horror lovers can represent 365 days a year with these officially licensed T-shirts and other cool merch from the most iconic horror films of all time.
“United” Halloween flag 3×5 ft by Rhode Montijo, $25
Halloween fans can now let their freak flags fly with this giant orange and black striped jack-o-lantern flag that will look great hanging on the wall. Don’t forget to pick up some adorable Halloween prints and buttons too!
https://rhodemontijo.myshopify.com/products/pre-order-for-large-united-halloween-flag
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Gris Grimly, $25
Citing the monster as a childhood favorite, acclaimed artist Gris Grimly jumped at the chance to illustrate the very first, full-length novel using the original 1818 text from Mary Shelley. This beautifully haunting book with stunning artwork is one-of-a-kind. Pick up a copy at his newly reopened online store.
http://grisgrimly.com/product/gris-grimlys-frankenstein/
Fine Art Prints from Killer Pumpkins, $30
Welcome to the colorful and spooky world of artist and designer John Pelico, whose digital artwork is simply mind-blowing. Whoever thought grim could be so cheerful. Only prints are available online but if you catch Killer Pumpkins at San Diego Comic Con or other So Cal conventions, sometimes they carry unique merchandise like coffee cups and lamps.
https://www.killerpumpkins.com/store
Infernal Creatures: A Collection of Rare Occult Artworks book from Century Guild, $35
Century Guild is a private museum and gallery, now based out of Southern California, that specializes in fine arts between 1880-1920s, particularly Arte Nouveau and Symbolism. This exquisite hardcover book features full-color, professionally photographed art and posters, printed on the highest resolution paper. Fascination with death and the occult is not a contemporary concept
https://centuryguild.net/collections/books/products/infernal-creatures-rare-occult-artworks
Horror Movie Burst a Box, $50
A unique twist on a centuries old child’s toy, which still features the chilling ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ tune. Choose from Billy, Chucky, Freddy, Jason, Pennywise, or Sam.
https://www.mezcotoyz.com/category/burst-a-box-cg/categories/burst-a-box/1.html
Need more ideas? Check out last year’s blog posts for great stocking stuffers and Christmas gift ideas for Halloween fans.
evergreen
alone for christmas
red berries
Artist: Jane Crowther
Company: Bug Art Cards
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/bugartcards
Shop: http://bugart.co.uk/
According to German folklore, December 5th is the day that Krampus visits all the naughty children and whips them for misbehaving, gives them lumps of coal, or steals them away to eat them later. You gotta be really, really bad to have the latter happen. You might not agree with the methods of Santa’s evil twin, but you gotta admit, he gets results, even the adults act a little better during the holidays. Besides, Santa doesn’t really like being the bad guy, and all that coal weighs down the sleigh. Better to outsource a job like that.
These days, we hold annual balls and festivals in honor of Krampus, who’s now more a whimsical dark hero to us misfits.
Artist: Diana Levin
Company: Ghoulish Bunny Studios
Social Media: https://twitter.com/ghoulishbunny or https://www.instagram.com/ghoulishbunnystudios/
Shop: https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/shop