This year's halloween party was obviously a different affair with COVID restrictions in place and a maximum of 6 people allowed to visit. We actually had 3 guests, so there were 5 of us in total for a meal. So no compulsory fancy dress this year or pumpkin carving compettion... or kids. But 3 of us did carve pumpkins and the fireplace was decorated as usual. So here are some pictures...
Sunday 1st November 2020
I was in Aldi the other day and saw they had their pumpkin pasta back in stock. The packaging has changed this year. Get them while they are in stock... and half the price of something similar in Waitrose!
I had an unexpected gift arrive yesterday in the post. These delightful wooden toys were found on Etsy made by a company called Play & Pretend. The halloween sets are apparently sold out now. But they make delightful decorations too and support a small business hand crafting goods.
As with Asda, Saisnburys have bought into Disney this year but my local store only had a few hangable decorations. However, they did have a nicely designed trick or treat canas bag and also their witches cauldron mugs that rest on 3 legs were also a bit different from what the other shops are offering. Oh yes, and the cauldron mug changes colours with flames appearing round the bottom when a hot drink is poured into it!
The last 2 of the big 4 supermarkets in the UK have got their goods out, and rather than showing a photo of the whole display of mainly sweets, childrens' costumes and cheap decorations, I thought I'd pick out a few items that are a bit different this year, from a doll that pulls its own head off to Disney villians glassware and coasters.
The local store in Cheriton has a couple of displays but again the usual fare of partyware, costumes and make up; so again reasonably priced goods for childrens' parties. Once in a blue moon they'll do something fantastic for afficienodos and collectors, but not a blue moon year this year sadly.
Well the supermarkets are starting to get in a somewhat limited range for Halloween, which may or may not be such a big event this year due to COVID. The local Morrisons in Folkestone has made a bit more of an effort than other shops, but it is basically the usual fare. They do have the games like thay had last year, e.g. skeleton bone 'Jenga' and a skittles game. And the bird mask was probably the best mask on offer.
In this weekend if you are a resident local to Folkestone... Teastones, an independent tea blenders who have small shop in George Lane have their range of Halloween teas in from a nice Pumpkin spiced tea to a couple of apple or ginger spiced teas. The picture below shows the pouches for sale but they also come in refillable tins with more colourful labelling.
Monday 29th September 2020
The Range usually go full out with an aisle laid out as a spooky cavern or tunnel. Sadly this year at the local store there is only a display near the door made up of mainly costumes and the following pictures show the end of both aisles. Nothing for me here this year! I'm starting to wonder how much the current COVID crisis is going to be affecting supplies into shops and also demand as social distancing guidelines may prohibit many parties. I guess we'll find out over the next few weeks...
Poundland are always pretty quick to get their decorations out when the kids return to school. So far there's nothing extraordinary, but their stock levels should hopefully grow as Halloween gets nearer.
The £3 shadow lanterns looked the most interesting from their stock so far.
Tuesday 8th September 2020
Well, again TKMaxx wins in putting out the first decorations locally in Folkestone. To be honest there's not much out at the moment and nothing I would buy... but I'm sure there'll be a churn of new stock now over the coming weeks.
Wednesday 12th August 2020