The 1st of October I put Danny Elfman’s soundtracks for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and all the others on my iPod on repeat. I start sneaking Reese’s Cups, crave Pumpkin Spice lattes and watch endless marathons of Vampire Diaries, Lost Girl, and Walking Dead on Netflix. I plan escapist afternoons watching my Van Helsing, Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, and Trick or Treat DVDs, to say nothing of all the Tim Burton films Danny Elfman’s soundtracks above accompany. I am a happy girl.
Of course the house gets a Fall spiffing and for inspiration I needn’t look any further than outside my front window…
Inside we get cosy. I put away the summer cottons and take down the screens from the windows. I bring out the Indian bedspreads, the faux fur throws, and the spicy potpourri to put around the candle.
The faux pumpkins join the party too. I’m actually a big fan of faux. When you are on a limited budget there’s nothing like buying a decent fake once and having it for years. We’ve had the same Christmas tree for over 20 years (you’ll meet her in a few weeks).
I think when you invest material things with meaning, especially if you alter them in some way as I do with second hand stuff, that makes them even better. Even if it’s just a pumpkin you glued some fake flowers on and bring out year after year. That’s a good thing. Not a freaking Martha “Good Thing.” It’s a Better Thing than that. I don’t make this stuff up. You have heard of the Velveteen Rabbit? Something about investing that faux thing with meaning makes it come alive. It’s weird I know, but I actually think those pumpkins can’t wait to join the party every October.
Me either! In the meantime though I think I’ll just take a moment to put my feet up and enjoy the view. Orange you glad it’s Fall!
