Happy December!

Happy December! The theme this month is Merry and Fright. One of the many things I love about December is the chance for a second Halloween! Work was a little crazy last month and November got away from me. I knew it was going to be an off month and so I used the time to reset because I love posting about haunted holidays. Who doesn’t love a good dark and scary Creepmas?!

Merry and Fright is for the people who love both Halloween and Christmas. These two holidays are close cousins, completely opposite, yet so similar in nature, they can be celebrated in the same way. Merry and Fright is traditional Christmas, but a little dark, little creepy, little kitschy, and little scary.

Yes, Christmas, like Halloween, tends to be overcommercialized but if we continue to spread love, kindness, understanding, and goodwill, along with education of the traditions and history of the holiday, we’re gonna be okay.

Which reminds me…here, Christmas is not Jesus’ birthday, but it IS the chosen date to represent ALL religious and pagan holidays and traditions. It’s a hodge podge and that means it’s okay to say Merry Christmas, it’s okay to say Happy Holidays, and celebrate all traditions, including putting up the pagan Christmas tree, lighting the Hanukkah menorah, lighting the Kwanzaa Kinara, waiting around for Sinterklaus, ringing a bell for Krampus, and throwing a birthday party for little Jesús. I don’t have time for hate, end of story….nor racism, prejudice, bigotry, nationalism, extremism, or sexism, so please don’t bring it.

The world is full of bad guys, war and strife enough as it is, so I’m trying to create a safe space for everyone who loves Christmas and Halloween. My holiday gift to you will be fun, frivolity, holiday haiku, holiday horror, holiday spirits, games, contests, free prizes, and gift-giving guides for those looking for the dark and spooky items for those special loved ones. So keep tuning in all month long.

Merry Creepmas and Happy Hellidays to all!

Spooky Small Business Saturday

Remember to support Small Business Saturday and shop independent or local shops. Below are only a few unique and reputable spooky shops independently owned and operated all-year long which I support and highly recommend for all your Creepmas shopping this year holiday season.

Local Los Angeles:

Dark Delicacies: https://www.darkdel.com

Celebrating 29 years, Dark Del provides a home for truly independent booksellers, movie memorabilia collectors, horror fanatics, and other spooky stuff in the greater Los Angeles region. The store is located in Burbank and often holds in-person signings and events. Del is also an awesome author and editor of works, such as Dark Delicacies horror anthology series and the suspense-western, The Survival of Margaret Thomas. If you live in L.A. area, stop by this weekend!

Mystic Museum: https://www.themysticmuseum.com/

Part oddities, part occult, part horror shop, part mystics museum, Mystic Museum is one-of-a-kind place for horror and occult fans. Taking up an astonishing three storefronts, the corner store is Camp Horror, an 80s horror themed shop that carries horror movie apparel, memorabilia and more.

Next door, the oddities shop, find rare, vintage and occult items for your arts and craft. You’ll barely notice that you crossed over to Mystic Museum, a place for goth decor, apparel, books, jewelry and more. Inside that shop is a door, where, for a donation, you can enter the parlor room that houses original artwork and vintage items celebrating curated themes throughout the year.

And, then, there’s the exhibit down the street…trust me, Mystic Museum is a kooky, dreamy, satisfying day trip.

Halloweentown Store: https://www.halloweentownstore.com/

I adore Halloween Town Store. Open all year long, this costume shop is a few doors down from the original main store, which carries everything from Halloween props and spooky clothing to original art prints and spooky, vintage, pop horror collectibles. Check everyone off your list in one visit.

Online:

Gingerbread Bag by Backstitch Bruja

Creepmas wrapping paper or Krampus Folklore Mug as seen below by Spooky Cat Press

Krampus Folklore Mug

Halloween Pumpkins Black Xmas Stocking by Working Class Punx: https://www.workingclasspunx.com

Poe Tea Set by Me and AnnabelLee Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeandAnnabelLeeShop

Tiny Bryon von Battie or Tiny Ghostie keychain plushies by Elle’s Ghosties

International:

Haunted House Incense Cone Holder – October 31st https://october31st.co.uk/creepmas-haunted-house-incense-cone-holder/

If you live in Europe, or outside the USA and looking for an amazing Halloween shop, then, try October 31st store, owned and operated all year along by Spooky Wil.

October 31st is da domb! In addition to carrying some great stuff from artists and creators all over the world, Wil also produces original crafted art and merchandise and ships internationally.

October 31st also often carries out-of-print, discontinued, or rare Halloween or spooky collectibles that can’t be found in the US, sometimes at regular retail price. Yes, shipping costs are little high, but scalpers and secondary markets on Ebay or Amazon, are gonna charge mark up prices and charge for shipping too. You can reach out and interact with Wil beforehand, he’s super sweet, and he packs items with great care. Shop from Wil. Keep a good guy in business!

Hope your holidays are full of merry and fright! Happy Creepmas!

Winners of the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge 2023

I will directly contact winners to get mailing details or get prizes out. Please do not post personal information here or on social media.

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in Halloween Haiku Challenge 2023.

Once again, it was a tough contest to judge! Truly wonderous haiku, some brought the feels and some were seriously scary. I love it!

Happy Holidays to all!

Happy Halloween!

1 Day to Submit Entries in the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge

You must be a WordPress or Instagram follower to particpate. Two ways to enter a submission this year 1) post your haiku in comments section below, or 2) Tag me on Instagram and use the following #halloweenhaikuchallenge

First Place wins a witchy prize pack!

Second Place wins Enchanted Bruja Print, a choice of a Disney Pin Set, and some Halloween stickers!

Third Place wins a prize out of the grab bag!

Halloween Haiku

There’s just one day til Halloween and I’m breaking the traditional format of the year to post a special Halloween Haiku.

black cat sleeping
on a giant pumpkin
Halloween dreams

There’s still time to submit a haiku poem for the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge. Contest ends tomorrow at midnight. There’s all kinds of spooky prizes available.

Friday Fright Nightcaps – Revenge of Frankenstein Cocktail

Happy Frankenstein Friday! Time for another Friday Fright Nightcap! Tonight, we celebrate Universal monster Dr. Frankstein with a classy cocktail stitched together with a bunch of different ingredients, just like his creations!

Ingredients:
2 oz. Midori
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. white rum
1 1/2 oz. Sprite
.5 oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur

Mix ingredients well. Garnish with Maraschino cherries or fresh fruit. Serve chilled.

You can stream Universal’s Frankenstein, 1931, on Peacock, with a paid subscription.

Wicked Art Wednesdays – Diana Levin, Ghoulish Bunny Studios

Happy International Artist Day! Today we celebrate the dark fantasy art of Diana Levin of Ghoulish Bunny Studios!

Diana Levin’s art could be described as both whimsical and menacing. Her imaginative and unique style embrace death and horror, all while capturing the natural beauty of an enchanted forest or a fantastical world.

Diana and her author husband Shawn Givens travel around to different conventions and trade shows all over the USA. They’re two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Stop by and say hello!

Artist: Diana Levin
Company/Studio: Ghoulish Bunny Studios
Website: https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/
Social Media: https://instagram.com/ghoulishbunnystudios or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghoulishbunnystudios

Enter the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge for a chance to win a witchy prize pack containing a canvas bag and an enamel pin featuring the art of Diana Levin!

Trick or Treat Tuesdays – Scenes from the Oogie Boogie Bash

What a treat! Today, I’m sharing photos from my recent trip to Disneyland Resort for their annual Oogie Boogie Bash, held at Disney’s California Adventure.

First, a quick dip into Disneyland for a look at Main Street decorations. Always the best!

Time to head to Disney’s California Adventure for the Oogie Bash. I was so excited to go that I forgot to take a pic of outside the main gate! Eh, there’s a big pic on the Disneyland.com home page.😄

One of the first things you notice is The Tower of Carthay Circle Lounge surrounded by bats!

There are lots of bats around and some beautiful looking trees.

Right across from Carthay Circle Lounge is a statue of my favorite Disney’s Headless Horseman.

Besides Mickey, Minnie, and all the usual Disney pals, you can see the best villains and most beloved characters at Oogie Boogie Bash.

We need more Prince John from one of my personal faves, Robin Hood!

Coco’s Ernesto is crowd favorite.

Scenes from Mickey’s Frightfully Halloween parade.

Mores random pics. Honestly, I was having so much fun that I kept forgetting to take pics.

This was the little trick or treat bag each attendee receives. Obviously Mars, Inc., is a big sponser, but graham crackers, Rice Krispies treats, carrots, and grapes were also given out. By the end of the night, the bag was overflowing with candy, enough to fill my Halloween Grogu Bowl!