Off Target

A new member of the family. Picked this cool mug up from Target, which is unfortunately about the only neat thing they had there. I'm not sure what the execs at Target were thinking when they rolled out this year's Halloween line, but it's disappointing to say the least. It pretty much represents everything commercial and soulless about the season. Cartoony instead of quaint. In years past I've always been rather impressed with how Target actually seemed to 'get it' as far as huge, faceless corporations go when it comes to Halloween.

Not this year.

There ARE a few jack-'o-lantern items that are kind of turn-of-the-century retro (including a cookie-jar that matches this mug; something I'll probably pick up the day after Halloween). Overall, Target ranks up there with Hobby Lobby for disappointing seasonal wares. Definitely not their best offering, but I suppose that won't stop me from enjoying my daily cup of morning brew from my awesome mug...

http://www.target.com/c/party-supplies-holidays-halloween/-/N-5xt2o

Maxx Swag

You gotta love TJ Maxx when it comes to Halloween merchandise. Consistently creative year after year, this is the go-to store for my wife and I when we want to find unique stuff that doesn't scream 'made in China' (although most of it is...) Picked up this fantastic little stool for myself and a cute Happy Halloween pillow for the wifey-poo. There was so much more on their shelves that I liked, but we've got to budget what we want to spend - unfortunately only so many dollars can be committed to Halloween! We'll keep stopping back in the coming weeks, as their stock seems to change almost weekly.

P.S. We also stopped by Target last night - they finally have started to put out their Halloween line - but more on that later...

& More Swag

Some more cool swag from Bath & Body Works and Michaels.

Swag

Some cool Dollar Store swag I picked up with the fam the other day. We've hit all the major retailers on our hunt for interesting Halloween items: Michaels, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, Jo-Ann Fabrics, etc. TJ Maxx is the front-runner so far (as usual) with Michaels a close second, but overall I haven't been too knocked out with the themes this year - much too cutesy and cartoony for my tastes (which is pretty much a reflection of the times and how nauseatingly commercial Halloween has become).

However, it's still early, so hopefully one of these stores - or some of the others that have yet to put out their wares - steps up and delivers some really cool, dark merchandise that taps into the true meaning of Halloween.