Target Hallowe'en & Country Living

Hooray, Hooray....I can officially report that my closest Target store has begun stocking the Seasonal shelves with Hallowe'en Goodies Galore! Yep...yours truly spent about 2 hours yesterday at Target getting chummy with the 'lucky employee' who was assigned to opening up the the Hallowe'en boxes. I wasn't even going to venture to the back corner of the store because there were no Hallowe'en cards in the front, and I didn't care to have my haunted lil' hopes squelched by the site of discounted school supplies and garden goods. But I made a last minute decision that the walk couldn't hurt, and thought that maybe I would pass some housewares on the way...though I didn't!

Imagine my utter exuberance at finding the area somewhat cleared out, and the Hallowe'en signs hanging from the rafters. I just about did a happy dance right there in the aisle. I quickly started scanning the shelves that had things on them already, and as I made my way into the center section...I spotted the 'lucky employee' pushing out a cart stacked with boxes. I stealthily moved in closer to him for some recon, while pretending to be extremely interested in the 5 items that were already on the shelves next to him. Finally, I thought I would implode if I didn't say something. So I professed to being SO VERY excited to find Hallowe'en merchandise being put out. Apparently sensing a fellow Hallowe'en Head....the employee was quick to jump into conversation, and welcome me closer to peer into the boxes as he unloaded them. I had become the VIP of the Seasonal section at Target.

'Lucky Employee' looks forward to opening the seasonal boxes too it seems, and he even said that they've been there since July. He said that the employees finally couldn't stand it any longer themselves, so they started opening boxes to see what was new. While we talked, he pulled out decorative skull candles that bleed when they are burned, haunted houses that looked more like castles this year, haunted books that move around on the shelf, stone statues whose eyes light up red, candelabras, party goods, costumes, and what appears to be this year's main theme....SKELANIMALS! They are an assortment of black Halloween animals that have a white skeleton painted on top. I thought they were pretty cute so I bought a couple to share with you. Of course I picked Oliver the Owl and Kit the Cat! They were on key chains, pillows, blankets, pumpkins...you name it!

We also discussed our shared frustration at how Target will NEVER allow us to take the store signs when the holiday is over, but rather they throw them away instead. What a complete waste! But apparently it has to do with copyright issues and not wanting other stores to use their merchandising materials. That makes sense...but still....I could really make use of them as props in my photography, not to mention decor. We had such a great time chatting while he worked, that I really didn't want to pull myself away, but I felt I may have been crossing the line between 'customer' and 'stalker', so I decided to give the dude a break and leave...ha!

On my way out, I went past the magazine rack and guess what I found? Country Living is now out, as is another Phyllis Hoffman magazine, called "Celebrate Halloween". I think she is trying to give ole' Martha a run for her money. I must say, that I do like her magazines...very nice styling and photography. Country Living though, wasn't all that wonderful, but I'd still get it because I am insane that way...ha! So for those of you who haven't made your rounds to Target in the last few days....go now....the unveiling has begun! :o)