It seems the holidays arrive earlier and earlier every year. Christmas decorations precede Halloween décor (or at least arriving at the same time) on retail shelves and Halloween swag starts to materialize around the end of July.
2016 is no exception. Ahead of the fall frenzy of spooky-boo bounties arriving at the shopping morgue, Halloween village veterans Lemax and Department 56 have unleashed their monstrous mini haunts and accessories on the weird wide web for fans of the fiendish fall season to preview.
Lemax, the creators of Spooky Town is usually found in Michael’s and AC Moore craft stores. With animated scenes, eerily lit haunts (some with spooky sounds), the Lemax collection has seen a variety of themes over the years (including a carnival, pirate, old west and traditional haunted village). The quality of the detail on many of the Spooky Town figures and houses can be hit or miss.
Buried below is a sampling of this year’s newest arrivals (and for more Lemax Spookytown info, visit their website.):
Where Lemax leaves quality to chance, Department 56 is the epitome of fine detail and well-made monsters and macabre mansions. This is, of course, reflected in the price gap between the two vendors (the Lennox owned Department 56 pieces costing two to three times as much). Along with the higher quality and cost comes collectability – many of the Department 56 pieces have steadily increased in value over the years. This year’s newly hatched horrors can be seen below (full gallery at bottom of page).
Department 56 has another advantage over Lemax. Along with the village haunts and horrors come a few eerie entertainment extras (the full Department 56 collection can be found at their website):
Weather Spooky Town or Halloween Snow Village is preferred (many times a mix of both), their arrival can only mean that haunts of the Halloween season are not too far behind. . .
Lemax Spooky Town new 2016 arrivals:
Department 56 2016 New Arrivals:
Images: Spookytown Webiste and Department 56 website