• Our family always bonded over getting the house ready for Halloween. • We couldn't wait until decorating season began in October. • This year, my kids didn't want to join in. So I did it myself.

Halloween is a big deal in our house. Or, as I discovered this year, it used to be.

I was never stumped about what to buy for my son's birthday in late September. At the top of his list would be somewhat useless things, such as fake live wires that hiss and shake, or pricey licensed products, including a replica proton pack from the Ghostbusters franchise.

He loved to visit the local Spirit Halloween store and pick out his gifts for under a certain amount of cash. It was great to see his face light up when he reached the animatronics section, stamped on the touch pads, and recoiled as a gi

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