August into December at the Holiday Warehouse

The [Holiday Warehouse" src=“http://www.holidaywarehouse.com/) is a largish, and rather outstanding, independent holiday decor shop located in Plano, Texas. Like its well known cousin The [Decorator’s Warehouse” src=“https://tobyblog.com/posts/20150826-the-decorators-warehouse/) in Arlington, the concentration is mainly on Christmas, but not as exclusively.

Past rooms full of Santas, red ribbon, and nativities is the deep orange and pumpkin be-decked fall room, and finally the little section reserved for the Halloween stock, the inclusion of which sets this place apart from the store in Arlington.

This dark lady stands sentinel outside the door, promising delights both elegant and shadow-veiled.

Calling back to my favorite abandoned blog of all time, this fellow both teased and excited me, as I have wanted to do something similar as a jack o’ lantern carving for many years now. Perhaps this will be the year.

Skeletons are always a strong theme for Halloween, as they remind us of death and mortality. So the juxtaposition of those elements with the nuptial symbols here, signs of youth and fertility, lend this piece a certain poignancy, don’t you think?

Holiday Warehouse considers itself both “upscale” and “aspirational”, so this bling-y skull seems about right. Though I’ve seen similar gaudy items at Michaels and At Home this year. It’s a theme for 2016. Because of Trump?

This guy was either telling me to get my camera out of his face and move along, or else setting up for a high five. I couldn’t decide.

Truthfully there were many items that looked appropriate for some sort of elaborate New Orleans masquerade ball. Made me wonder how many such parties there are in Plano come October.

This vampire, high up on a top shelf, was of that ilk. With his little silk vest and lace trim, if this dapper guy wasn’t Dracula, then presumably he was the Count of something.

Don’t make the mistake of backing into this little girl, as I did. Because whipping around to find this staring at you can be a pit of a shock. This is the kind of thing that would feel right at home at the old Collector’s Crypt. It’s a good example of the variety of stock carried by the Holiday Warehouse.

As is this weird guy, who I caught staring at me from a basket of hanging door decorations.