Love to decorate for this holiday that brings out the sweet tooth 🍬 (and kid) in all of us, along with a few shivers and shrieks? Want to keep it simple and on a budget without having to purchase a whole Halloween village? You can do it!
I chose …
- one Monster Mash building, two trees and one Tricky Treat accessory from Department 56’s Halloween Village,
- one family treasure – an antique suitcase from my husband’s family, used by our late Uncle Dick in 1940 when he traveled by rail,
- a handful of monster-themed classics from the local library,
- seven Bronner-exclusive Halloween-themed ornaments (ornament hooks, too, though you could substitute ribbon),
- one pack of spider webs, artificial fall leaves and an orange vase from the dollar store,
- and dead branches blown down from the walnut tree in our back yard during a recent wind storm.

The Monster Mash Party House is new to the Department 56 Halloween Village this year. With a touch of a button, the house lights up and animated silhouettes of partygoers dance past the front window to the tune of “Monster Mash.” I made this the centerpiece of my display and featured other elements such as our Halloween ornaments, Department 56 trees and library books!
Check out these spooktacular facts about the song “Monster Mash.”
- “Monster Mash” was sung by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers.
- It first came out in 1962 and was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from October 20 – 27, right before Halloween.
- Pickett sang the song ala Boris Karloff style.
- The song tells the story of a mad scientist at work late one night in his laboratory when his monster rises from his slab.
- The new moves and grooves danced by the monster are dubbed the “Monster Mash.”
The Black Light Bare Branch Tree and Halloween Purple Twinkle Brite Tree (#1120566, $30, available in-store or by contacting customer service) eerily glow in the yard where a tombstone serves as a “handy” spot to pass out Tricky Treats.
Another clever way to use the Department 56 Tricky Treats is by placing it upon a Halloween Candy Jar – go right ahead take a peace … or three!🍬 😂
Ask your local librarian to pull several monster-themed classic from the shelves for you! These served as great props in my Halloween display. My book list included “Dracula,” “Frankenstein,” The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” “The Invisible Man,” “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Turn of the Screw,” and “”Beowulf.” What monster-themed classics would you put on your list? Let us know in the comments below!
What better way to showcase these classic monster novels than with an encased eyeball . . . 👀 affixed in place with Tacky Wax. Let’s get to reading!
Bronner’s offers a variety of Halloween home decor including Halloween ornaments that we have featured on our tree. These ornaments can also serve as a single display pieces throughout your home.


Looking for more Halloween Village inspiration? Visit our A Spooktacular Display post. Check out how you can dye bottle brush trees your favorite Halloween colors for your display!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING offer before it disappears on October 15, 2018!
Please tell us your favorite piece from our Halloween selection (ornaments or Department 56 Village pieces) in the comments below!