COLLECTING TRENDS EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

Happy Fall or…

Happy Halloween or

Happy Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING!!!!!! ‘Tis the season!

I read that Halloween décor is almost outselling Christmas décor. It seems, particularly in neighborhoods, suburbs and, certainly in the country, that everyone is going ALL out with their Fall and Halloween celebratory festooning. Their gardens, steps, front doors, and, of course their interiors. There are even Halloween trees! I live in a high rise condo and one of my neighbors likes to theme dress the outside of her door each season, love it!

DEFINITION OF HALLOWEEN
From Wikipedia…..

“Halloween or Hallowe’en (a contraction of All Hallows’ Evening) also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain; that such festivals may have had pagan roots; and that Samhain itself was Christianized as Halloween by the early Church.Some believe, however, that Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, separate from ancient festivals like Samhain.”*

TRICK OR TREATING

“In medieval England, “soulers” would go around begging rich folk for “soul cakes” on Halloween. Instead of threatening to play tricks, however, they’d pray for peoples’ souls in return for the cake.”

Let’s start by reminiscing about days long gone but memories always fresh….my Halloween parties with my mother, Ruthy, my own personal version of Martha Stewart!

When I was a little girl my mother and I loved doing special parties for all occasions and Halloween was a special one. I invited all my classmates each year, from Kindergarten through Grammar School, to lunch, games and, of courses, prizes for costuming. If it fell on the actual day we would grab our pumpkin “baskets” and go trick or treating. Great fun and magnificent memories.

Below an example of some of the décor we would get from Dennison’s, it was a forerunner of Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Our entire Rogers Park and then Evanston homes were in total holiday mode.

These papier-mâché pumpkin “baskets” perfect for gathering your treats. At my childhood parties each guest was given one, each, of course, unique. They are now collectible and, I might add, if in good condition pricey, see if you can find some vintage Halloween collectibles at the October Randolph Street Market on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28 from 10 to 5.

Three photos I took at the September Randolph Street Market.

My father was a superb artist and the BEST father ever, I must admit. I always had the most creative pumpkins, several each year, real candles to light them. They were placed in each window and used on the dining table for our parties or just our family dinners. Of course, I went with Daddy to help select just the right ones, we didn’t have the many varieties and colors we have now. I am particularly fond of white and green mini pumpkins now. When I was old enough I got my own acorn squash to carve. I also helped with cleaning out the insides of the pumpkins and my squash. I miss those simple times, don’t you…or is it just nostalgia??!!

Love this for a fall party…shown outdoors but why not inside. The burlap cloth, real leaves, candles, chandeliers, uncarved pumpkins, yummy food…to die for!!!!

Another outdoor tablescape that can be indoors as well, a bit of Goth with the ravens.

How about flower embellished gourds. Or perhaps glittered, stenciled or…

Done with a lace overlay….easy, effective, showstopper.

For our collectors of blue and white a hand painted white pumpkin.

Looks like a Flemish painting…

So simple and so simply stunning…

Still waiting for the Great Pumpkin…..this year, one never knows…

And for our squirrel friends……taken by me Thanksgiving 2017

Enjoy your Halloween festivities. Remember to scour the October Randolph Street Market you never know what treasures you will find and be sure to buy it when you see it even if out of season most collectibles are one of a kind.
I’m going to wait for the Great Pumpkin now…

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by Nena Ivon
www.nenasnotes.com

All photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.