2025: Welcome to Our Nightmare Before Christmas

As for this year's HUGE announcement:  

We're about to welcome you to our new Nightmare... Before Christmas!

A TWO NIGHT EVENT!
Halloween Night: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
November 1: Halloween Party! (Bring a dish and come hang out!)

And welcome you we did, to a Nightmare so many years in the making, we honestly lost count.

Welcome to our very own Nightmare!

‣ The Story

For those who wanted to hang around Halloween Town for a full presentation, we managed to pare down the story of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" to less than 10 minutes. Jack Skellington played the music, while an unexpected visitor, who'd quickly picked up the story, sang along. Even better, some of our trick-or-treaters sang along with us—a few knowing every word!—making the evening that much more fun, with the delight on the adult's faces an added treat.

The following is our rough script, minus most of the lyrics, which were shortened and shifted around to retain the highlights.

So, you think you know the stories and you know the rhymes?

JACK SKELLINGTON: [GREETING VISITORS] Oh, how wonderful. Trick-or-treaters! Welcome, everyone! Gather round!

We recently received a strange package here in Halloween Town, and discovered we had a special visitor… Spiney!

An unexpected package and visitor who fit right in.

 
[TO SPINEY] Would you like to welcome our guests?

SPINEY: [SINGS]
Welcome to our nightmare
We think you’re gonna like it
We think you’re gonna feel you belong here
In Halloween Town!
So welcome to our nightmare, yeah...

SPINEY: Ah, perhaps we should introduce you to the residents of Halloween Town. 

[SPINEY SINGS "This Is Halloween" IN CHARACTER VOICES] 

JACK: Isn’t this creature remarkable? [SPINEY SHRUGS] In fact, it can tell my story almost better than I can. Are you ready to hear it?

[SPINEY SINGS "Jack's Lament"]

Reciting Shakespearean quotations.

SPINEY: That was a rough year for you wasn’t it, Jack? 

JACK: [SADLY] Indeed, it was. 

SPINEY: But then you discovered someplace new…

[SPINEY SINGS "What's This?"]

Jack sure rocks the keys with those boney fingers.

SPINEY: What was it, Jack? 

JACK: Christmas Town! 

SPINEY: Hmmm, but that left you with a few questions, didn't it?

[SPINEY SINGS "Jack's Obsession"]

Halloween Town will never be the same.

SPINEY: Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee! 

JACK: Eureka! This year Christmas will be ours!

[SPINEY SINGS "Making Christmas"]

Jack has seriously embraced this Christmas thing.

SPINEY: So, you actually did it, Jack. 

JACK: Indeed, we did! 

SPINEY: But that Christmas didn’t go exactly as you’d planned, did it? [JACK SHRUGS] Did you ever make up with that, what did you call him? Sandy Claws? 

JACK: Oh, Santa and I are now the best of friends! As a matter of fact, that reminds me. I have a present for all you trick-or-treaters! 

Happy Halloween! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Grab a holiday treat from the Pumpkin King! Which holiday is up to you.

And now, for our much requested full performance video. (And keep an eye out for bonus video content below!)


▶ "WELCOME TO OUR NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" COMPLETE PRESENTATION VIDEO

 ‣ The Trick

This year was likely our biggest ever, taking an inordinate amount of prep, practice and time, and we spent months putting it all together. But the story of how we got here began a long time ago, longer now than it seems. So, please enjoy all the Freaky Facts behind this year's very special event.


FREAKY FACTS: We originally planned to do "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 2020, but fairly early that year realized we didn't know if Halloween as we knew it would even be a thing. With a lot of DIY expectations, and not wanting to spend extraordinary time or funds building props given all the unknowns, we ended up that year with "Halloween in Quarantine," and this concept continuing to percolate ever since.

But, to be fair—and just in case it's not yet apparent—this also happens to be my favorite movie. I still recall my first transfixed theater experience with friends not long out of high school, and was thrilled to watch the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra perform the soundtrack live against the film in 2018, complete with intro from recently departed STL local Ken Page (the voice of Oogie Boogie). Between those events, in 2011, we visited Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Holiday, when the ride gets a macabre makeover for several months. After years of singing along to the soundtrack in the car and countless viewings, it's pretty safe to say I've been practicing and prepping for Halloween 2025 ever since 1993.

We may have learned a thing or two along the way.

SPLITTING THE SCENE
Our Nightmare was always intended to be a massive set production, focused heavily on the scene itself. A dark Halloween side featuring many of our regular props, a bright Christmas side and a tree splitting the scene down the middle, with one theme flowing into the other, were all original design concepts. The larger tree on the Christmas side was first planned to be that scene splitter—that is, until our neighbors decided to put one out on the curb in September, which we didn't hesitate to grab. It ended up being just taller than the other and perfect for the split.

Christmas? Halloween? How about both?

The split tree was topped with a festive Jack Skellington bow, and included lights on only one side, with several Halloween and Nightmare props on the other, including the Mayor of Halloween Town and trick-or-treater Barrel's lollipop. A fun DIY on the tree was Jack's attempt to cut a snowflake, which naturally ends up in the shape of a spider.

A closer look at the Nightmare props.

Now THAT'S a snowflake!

CHRISTMAS TOWN
The Christmas side became a combination of three scenes in which Jack delivers presents to homes. This became a living room style setup—perhaps Jack and Sally's place—complete with a fireplace which first appeared in Ebenezer Scrooge's room last year.

With all our tricks we're making Christmastime!

Jack and Sally's portraits hang on the wall.

Vampire Teddy (also the film's hidden Mickey), which Jack places on a red chair, was purchased end of season from Spirit Halloween a few years ago, and we just happened to have a small chair rescued from the trash heap and repainted red for teddy to lay on. His Evil Duck companion, which apparently goes by many names, was a must for this scene given our reputation for ducky giveaways. Since we were unable to find an officially licensed version, the original plan was to carve out of foam or, more recently, maybe 3D print Evil Duck. However, we were thrilled to support an artist online who'd already done the work for us.

Just innocent toys, right?

This 3D printed and painted Evil Duck is legit.

Evil Duck's gift box was a fairly easy DIY, with printable wrapping paper available for download. A restructured Amazon box and some black ribbon in a somewhat distorted arrangement similar to the screen appearance completed the look.

Another look at the box, ribbon and paper.

The snake beneath the tree, a nod to the very Burtonesque black and orange striped snake that wraps around the bottom of a classic, metallic Christmas tree and later swallows it, was acquired after we spotted the Snakebite plush on the merch table at an Alice Cooper concert back in August. While snakes sold out fast that night, we quickly ordered one online as the perfect crossover prop, and complement to the Alice spider on Spiney's mic stand.

 

Is that snake wearing a top hat and eye makeup?

Our favorite DIY prop is known to some as the Tiger Wreath or Man-Eating Wreath, which in the film is hung on the inside of a door and reaches for an elderly lady in a rocking chair. While not particularly complex, we took a while to compile all the parts for this character, and it was fun to see him finally come to life. The eyes were two halves of a plastic Easter egg spray painted white and a couple half inch black stickers. The wreath itself was given by a friend several years ago, and our scavenged Christmas tree provided the final touch of some subtle, red berries.

 

That's our tiger, always reaching out.

Don't turn your back! He really is a grabby one.

HALLOWEEN TOWN
The Halloween Town side included several elements, including the photo backdrop from 2017's "Night of the Wolf," and a giant spider web we'd had for years and finally used for the first time.

Come with us and you will see this our town of Halloween!

The masks of trick-or-treaters Lock, Shock and Barrel, were another last year Spirit Halloween purchase and got a prominent position on the wall, pairing nicely with our trick-or-treat banner and some previously gifted bat lights.

Featured from left to right: Shock, Barrel and Lock.

 

We'd planned to DIY Zero's doghouse, but were relieved to find a lighted prop available at Spirit early this year. A branded display tombstone acquired from Spirit at the end of last season, along with the gravestone used in last year's "Scrooge and the Spirit," helped complete our graveyard.

A little corner of the Halloween Town graveyard.

Zero, my personal favorite character, was also purchased last year and floated gently above and not far from his eerily lit doghouse alongside Sally. While the grave also has a motion activated barking feature, we found it best he not disrupt the show all evening.

 

Good boy, Zero.

Zero floats above his doghouse.

 

Sally was a great borrowed prop, and we were glad she was able to make the scene, especially since we originally considered she might be more prominently featured. (More on that below.)

 

Sally's picked some lovely flowers.

Such a cute couple.

We also included a collapsible, lighted Halloween tree on the left which paired with the collapsible Christmas tree on the right. The Halloween Tree was purchased last year with the Nightmare set in mind, but is also a reference to Ray Bradbury's book of the same name, as mentioned on our Inspiration page.

Several other planned DIYs that didn't make the final cut included Jack's chalkboard, the "Days to Xmas" countdown clock and the pumpkin-in-a-box toy. We actually missed an opportunity to grab a well built Halloween Town sign from a California Hot Topic in 2022, and never located one to purchase later. We also expected the Christmas side to include the grandmother clock from last year's presentation. Ultimately, time and space would not allow more, as we kept the scene from being overcrowded yet intentionally a bit overwhelming.

Because this was such a massive undertaking, this year we captured our first-ever walk through bonus video for all you haunt lovers. 

 

▶ A SPECIAL WALK THROUGH BONUS VIDEO! 

 

THE CHARACTERS
In another major change, we were initially considering just one song, which was ultimately cut from the production altogether. In earlier concepts, Sally would have joined Jack to simply sing "Sally's Song." We even obtained a complete Sally outfit and makeup kit a few years back around the same time as Jack's suit. But we recognized this was a deeper and less enthusiastic cut, and wanted to include the very recognizable "This is Halloween" with a character that could logically tell more of the story. 

Enter our homage to Alice Cooper, the very musical Spiney, who, instead of traveling with the Carnival of Souls, decided to ship itself over to Halloween Town for a visit. As a quick study, who could even imitate some tonality and voicing, Spiney simply took over to tell the tale in song.

Spiney's box was wrapped as an opened Christmas present, with Oogie Boogie peeking out from below. This was another promotional piece acquired from Spirit's display last year which we initially were unsure how to include, but were glad to feature in memory of Ken Page.

For someone with no legs, Spiney sure gets around.

For any who've seen our shows before, you may recall an oft-included skull prop, first purchased as a slightly damaged and discounted display piece from Spencer's at Northwest Plaza Mall in the early 90's. The skull has since been known as Yorick, in reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet, and so of course had a most prominent place in this production, as Jack makes reference to the same when removing his own head.

 

Yorick finally lives up to his name.

While Spiney got the part, since we'd considered the idea of doing "Sally's Song" for so long, we had some fun shooting yet another bonus video after the trick-or-treaters were nestled all snug in their beds that Halloween night. This single take was really our first time performing the tune together, and we gave our party guests an extra treat by including the song that night as well.

 

▶ "SALLY'S SONG" BONUS VIDEO!

And then, of course, there's our Jack Skellington, in full suit and complete with bat bow tie, which we finally found in the perfect size and design this year.

A better look at the entire costume and keyboard setup.

Our Pumpkin King actually grew his own pumpkins, which were featured around the front of the keyboard, and even crafted his own Sandy Claws bag out of black pumpkin print fabric.

Jack's hands, as noticed by one young visitor last year, were intentionally featured on the Ghost of Christmas Future as a hint of things to come.

Turns out that spirit actually WAS pointing to the future!

We each did our own makeup for both nights, with Jack's requiring some extra time, and professional quality clown white and setting powder. The Sandy Claws hat helped to make the application a little easier while completing the look.

 

Serious dedication.

It was really great to finally see this character come together after all these years, and naturally have him take some time to skulk around the graveyard.

 

Truly a master of fright.
_____________________

THANK YOUS!
An awful lot of help went into this year's production, so very much thanks to all, including:

• My bro and fam for letting Sally hang out at our place a while
• Jenny the Giraffe, for helping with crowds and capturing images
• The neighbors, for putting out their old Christmas tree that ultimately split the scene
• This old DIY blog that helped develop part of this crazy idea in the first place  
• Leftovers, Etc. and a friend sharing his inheritance to help create Tiger Wreath and wrap the ribbon around Evil Duck's box
• Ebay/Etsy seller battlewornarmory for printing and painting Evil Duck
• Our church fam, for loaning the tent for night two and a phone/camera stand, plus providing the snow around the split tree's base about 6 years ago
• Everyone who stopped by and sang with us on Halloween, and all who hung out to party on November 1!

The party crew from Spiney's POV, out braving the cold snap!

‣ The Treat

With Halloween landing on a Friday and featuring incredibly warm weather, massive crowds effectively wiped Jack out of all 120 prepped duck bags before we hit 7:30 p.m., which was definitely a record. Thankfully, we had plenty of extras, so another 20 or so visitors did not leave empty handed. Jack would never allow it!

Just make sure these pranksters don't steal your candy. Or ducks!

This year's special ducks were slightly delayed, and far more diverse than expected. Odds were in favor of our guests receiving one of 16 Christmas ducks, with another possible four Halloween ducks. With a chance of six Nightmare Before Christmas temporary tattoos, and a random mix of candy, including various colored candy canes, no two treat bags were alike! And some of our older trick-or-treaters were offered a special bonus of an orange or purple Halloween jingle bell.

That is a whole lot of ducks, tho.

And, while Christmas might make it pretty easy to talk about Jesus, a concept I've affectionately referred to as "The Gospel According to Jack Skellington" has been rolling around in my head for at least the past 15 years or so as I process themes throughout the movie. Here's how it finally turned out in miniature on back of a very orange card.

JUST THE TEXT:

Welcome to Halloween Town, trick-or-treaters! Perhaps you’ve heard the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who grows so tired of his fame and success he wonders if there’s more out there than just the same old thing. Wearily wandering far from home, Jack accidentally stumbles upon something new... Christmas Town!

With just a little knowledge about Christmas Town, Jack hurries home to try and figure it all out. He’s just learned about something beyond his wildest imagination, since all he’s ever known is monsters and nightmares. Though there’s a lot he still doesn’t quite get, Jack finally declares, “Just because I cannot see it doesn’t mean I can’t believe it!”

Excited, Jack tries to share what he’s learned with his friends so they can experience Christmas too. In his enthusiasm, Jack makes a mess of things and needs help to correct his mistakes. Yet everyone is forever changed by what they now know about Christmas.

When it comes to Christmas, it’s not hard to relate to Jack’s excitement! Once you learn about the real Christmas story—the story of Jesus—you might also ask, “What’s this?” and want to share it with everyone. So we want to share a little of Jesus’ story with you.

Way beyond Santa and snow, in the true Christmas story, Jack would hear about a baby. But not just any baby—a true King who would grow to be a man. And not just any man! Jesus did new things no one had seen, working miracles and raising the dead. He lived like no one else, never making a mistake, but giving up His life so we could know God and our mistakes could be forgiven. He even came back to life, ready to put an end to all our monsters and nightmares and bring new life and light into our world. That baby celebrated at Christmas was God with us, and believing His story will change your world forever too.

We enthusiastically encourage you to learn more about Jesus and the real Christmas story! At hallowsgarage.blogspot.com, you can even watch a video about that first Christmas on The Big Story page, plus check out the Bible online to read Jesus’ story for yourself.

For now, a very Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good night!

_____

Journey through our past nightmares at
HallowsGarage.blogspot.com | #HallowsGarage

2024: Scrooge and the Spirit

A couple late teasers for this year:

We could do with some holiday Spirit, so come round this Halloween for a very Spirited seasonal tale of transformation, and our latest twist on an old classic.

––and––

You should probably all know that Marley was dead to begin with. And, yet, he may be the first spirit you encounter this evening.

That's right, we mashed up our holidays for the telling of our first ever Hallows Garage ghost story!

Charles Dickens visits the Hallows Garage!

‣ The Backstory

Eventual ad libs aside, here's a look at our rough script from this special season, retelling Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" in miniature. All the following taking place in Scrooge's bedroom, of course

Our setting for this season.

[BELLS CHIME IN WITH THE START OF "GOD REST YE, MERRY GENTLEMEN." A SNOOZING SCROOGE JUMPS UP FROM BED WITH A START.]

Old Scrooge nodding off for an unsettled snooze.

Oh, what a restless night it’s been. Why are you awake, Ebenezer?

[SCROOGE RISES AND WALKS TO THE FIREPLACE]

What’s this? Ah, yes. That silly Christmas wreath my useless nephew, Fred, gave me earlier today. Not even useful for stoking the fire. 

Can't even burn the thing? What's the point?

Bah, Christmas. A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25th of December. The entire day off? With pay? It’s nearly as bad as giving Halloween candy to begging children each October. Bah, humbug!

Ever the businessman, Scrooge even counts money in his own bedroom.

Ah, but wait. I’ve already been visited by several spirits this evening.

The first, my late business partner, Jacob Marley. Not to be confused with his very different cousin, Bob.

No, there was old Jacob, [BACKGROUND: CHAINS SLOWLY CLANKING]
all bound and weighted down, still carrying the chains he’d forged by all the wrongs he’d done in life. He claimed I’d designed one of equal measure already seven Christmases ago, and far weightier now than even his. I shudder to think… [CHAIN CLANKING STOPS]

A shadowy Marley was always out front to greet visitors. If they spotted him.

He told me I’d meet three others.

The first of those was the Ghost of Christmas Past.

[BACKGROUND WHISPER: “RISE AND WALK WITH ME”]

With that spirit came a flood of memories of my youth. A lonely boy, sent away to school. I recalled the love of my dear sister and former fiance. All long gone. All emotions long forgotten.

Hmm. “Emotion.” A humbug! 

Scrooge is not interested in talking "feelings."

And yet, I can’t help but recall happier times, like old Fezziwig’s Christmas parties [BEMUSED LAUGH], later drown out by a nagging fear of the poverty I’d known as a child, leading me to become the business man I am today.

Hmmm. Surely all for the best, I suppose.

The Ghost of Christmas Present has just gone.

[BACKGROUND BIG AND BOLD: “COME IN AND KNOW ME BETTER, MAN!”]

This spirit showed me many things, including what so many townsfolk and even family members really think of me. Hmmph.

Scrooge continues to share his evening—and his life story—up 'til now.

But what stood out above all was the son of my clerk, Bob Cratchit. A boy they call Tiny Tim. He’s in poor condition, yet has so much joy, the lad, carrying on about the one who made the lame walk and blind see. Yet, Christmas seems a happy time for the whole family despite their poverty. Inexplicable, really. I wondered if the boy would make it to see another.

[THE CLOCK BELLS TOLL 3 AM. SCROOGE LOOKS AT THE CLOCK AND RISES.]

Ah, 3 a.m. I should be off to bed.

Ah, but surely this was all a fanciful dream. Perhaps just a bit of undigested beef causing these apparitions to seem so real. Bah, it’s all just a humbug! A humbug, I say!

Some things you can't just dream away.

[THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST APPEARS AND GRABS SCROOGE BY THE SHOULDERS. SCROOGE TURNS WITH A START.]

That moment you realize there's a GHOST behind you.

What the Dickens?!

[SCROOGE TURNS TO SEE THE TERRIFYING, SHROUDED SPIRIT.]

Ah, I take it I am in the presence of the Spirit of Christmas Future. Spirit, I fear you above all the spectres that have come before, as I fear I’m too old to change. But, show me what you must.

[THE SPIRIT POINTS. SCROOGE IS CONFUSED.]

What are you pointing at? The bed? [SPIRIT SHAKES HEAD NO]

The wall is it? [SPIRIT SHAKES HEAD NO]

The random people standing nearby as we recount this story?
[SPIRIT PUTS OTHER HAND TO HEAD AND SHAKES HEAD NO]

Scrooge really does not get it.

What then?  [THE SPIRIT POINTS. SCROOGE NOTICES SOMETHING UNUSUAL]

What’s this? [SCROOGE UNCOVERS A GRAVESTONE AND CRUTCH IN THE SNOW]

Scrooge reveals a possible scenario to come.

An iconic look ahead.

Always pointing toward an uncertain future.

A gravestone. And does this crutch belong to the boy? 

Is there truly an empty chair in the Cratchit home? 

And do I see my own name inscribed upon this stone?

Grim predictions.

Spirit, tell me, are these the shadows of things that will be, or of things that might be?

I can look upon this no more.

[SCROOGE COVERS THE GRAVESTONE]

Good spirit, show me that these shadows may be altered! I’m not the man I was. God help me, I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year! Show me these things may change!

Reality finally hits different for Scrooge.

[THE SPIRIT WALKS OFF BACKWARD AS SCROOGE HIDES IN THE COVERS, TREMBLING. HE UNCOVERS HIS FACE AND LOOKS AROUND.]

It’s morning. I’m still here! 

I’m as light as a feather! I’m as merry as a school boy!

Scrooge's celebratory dance.

[SCROOGE INTERACTS WITH THE AUDIENCE]

I say, you there! What’s today my fine fellow?

[SCROOGE PROCESSES THE RESPONSE (which was quite typically, "Halloween," of course)]

A remarkable boy! An intelligent boy! Perhaps a confused boy, as I think today is actually Christmas Day, but... Oh, it is. It's Christmas Day! I haven’t missed it! The spirits did it all in one night! Of course they did. They can do anything they like!

[BACKGROUND: "JOY TO THE WORLD" BELLS]

Wait! Let me give you something.

[SCROOGE LOOKS AROUND FOR AN APPROPRIATE GIFT. THE SPIRIT’S HAND SUDDENLY APPEARS, HOLDING OUT A BASKET OF TREATS]  

Well, isn't that handy?

Ah, yes, the Halloween candy I confiscated earlier this year! it's perfect!

Quite convenient.

Scrooge's sudden generosity delights trick-or-treaters young and old.

Here you go! Merry Christmas! Happy Halloween! And God bless us, every one!

And now, presenting one of the evening's live shows for your viewing pleasure:

FREAKY FACT: Per the ad lib, we really did have the tornado sirens sound overnight, waking us all up. On Halloween morn. No wonder Scrooge was so cranky. Humbug! 💯

‣ The Trick

Surprised at this holiday mashup? Admittedly, so too were we at first, when the theme was finally decided relatively late in the year. The telling of this particular tale, which may seem off-season to some, was largely inspired by Christianity Today's 2023 podcast series "Be Afraid," in which their final—and also unexpected—Christmas episode explored many of the both terrifying and redemptive elements bound up in this classic.

However, let it be known I've long loved this story, having viewed many different versions over the years, not least of which was the much revered 1992 release of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," in which Michael Caine played a phenomenal Scrooge. (If you've never seen it, go do that.)

But it was the podcast that had us at, "Of course, it's a ghost story." We'd never showcased a true ghost story before. And since you can be any character you want for Halloween, why not recreate this particular nightmare before Christmas?

Further surprising may have been our casting choices. The truth? One of us is simply faster at writing and effectively memorizing lots of dialogue, especially on short notice—and a packed October had us pulling much of this together in just the few weeks ahead of Halloween. Besides, having the spirit stand taller than Scrooge further enhanced the dramatic effect.

Let's not forget, we needed Christmas Future on those backstage sound effects.

We processed some similarities between Scrooge and our former Mr. Hyde, and concocted the Scrooge look with the dressing gown (a late Amazon purchase), greyed hair (thanks to some awful smelling, tinted hairsprays) and voicing. The accent, while somewhat inspired by noticing several Scrooge's angrily rolling their "R's," was also based in part on the voice of Sylvester McCoy, who played the seventh Doctor in the original Doctor Who series.

Yep. Obviously loved playing this part.

This unanticipated opportunity to play Scrooge has provided an entirely new appreciation of the depth of this work. (And prompted a later deep dive into the story via a free online course from Hillsdale College.)

A post-Halloween acquisition of a faithful reproduction copy of Dickens' original book.

I've always found the Ghost of Christmas Future to be the most terrifying of the spirits—eclipsing even Marley's tortured soul, along with Scrooge's brief glimpse of others like him who remained bound in those chains they'd forged in life. Marley might momentarily lose his jaw, but at least he's come back for the good of his friend.

Still, it's Christmas Future's faceless, reaper-like appearance and absolute silence—while always pointing ahead—which remain particularly disturbing. This was the scene I simultaneously most anticipated and dreaded as a child, as it is necessary for Scrooge to face the possibilities presented by this foreboding spirit ahead of his personal transformation to a kinder, gentler soul. This spirit really does embody the fearful anticipation of many of us toward our own futures.

Christmas Future notes the time of his appearing.

Even so, it turns out it's not the ghosts who are the terror here. Not unlike Dr. Jekyll, or even Victor Frankenstein, it's old Ebenezer, himself, who's become the true monster. And while we start off deeply disliking Scrooge, we ultimately end up rooting for him to recall his own humanity—and to recognize the inherent worth of the people who surround him every day.

Thankfully, even Scrooge has a ghost of a chance.

For the props department, this year was largely designed with items we hadn't used in Halloweens past, including an old grandmother clock once belonging to my grandparents, and the last good deed of a phenomenal twin bed I'd owned from youth. (Shout out to Serta for the most comfortable mattress ever—right to the end. 😢)

The gravestone and fireplace were both special purchases for this scene, with the "firelight" produced by a candlelight flame effect bulb.

Tiny Tim's crutch was from a set unexpectedly spotted at a local thrift store and modified, without damage, to appear a bit smaller. Following this short stint in theatre, these crutches would soon find a new supporting role via the STL Help Medical Equipment Lending Program.

Meanwhile, the "snow" was collected a while back in long anticipation of another theme we hope to explore in Halloween future.

A look ahead at what could have been.

The coins on Scrooge's table weren’t quite from the 1800s, but they were legit British currency from various years, including a half penny dating back to 1962.

Scrooge's home counting table. Cause every shilling counts.

A closer look at Scrooge's spoils.

Our Scrooge and Marley sign and Marley door knocker were specially produced in the Creative Lab at the new St. Louis County Library Clark Branch. The sign was originated in Adobe InDesign, saved to PDF and further adjusted at the library to be laser etched on Gloforge. For the Marley knocker, plans were located free at Thingiverse and taken in for 3D printing.

A better look at the Marley knocker.

Getting an extra cut on the Gloforge before pickup.

FREAKY FACTS: While we based our sign off of other fanciful creations found 'round the web, it's actually unclear where Scrooge and Marley's Counting House was precisely located. Details within the book may indicate it was set in Newman's Court, so we decided to roll with that. Furthermore, it is never made clear when the business was established. Many signs read "1843," but this is actually the year in which the story was set. Since Marley had been gone seven years, and we don't know his or Scrooge's actual ages, we decided to make it 1803—exactly 40 years before the story takes place, and likely setting Scrooge and Marley in their 20s, giving them plenty of time to become wealthy misers along the way.

Additionally, while the book has the clock strike back to midnight, other tellings have the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come arriving at 3 a.m. In part for logistical purposes, we allowed the three chimes of the clock to mark this third spirit.

Finally, at least one savvy young visitor noted Christmas Future's long, bony hands were actually those of one Jack Skellington, as you may note in these bonus shots from the evening:

Scrooge turns his back to the future.

Still trying to work out the time travel sitch on the classic clock.

Until Halloween future!

‣ The Treat

Of course, for "A Christmas Carol" we had to hand out Christmas ducks! Scrooge was also feeling generous enough to give each recipient a gold or silver coin—made of chocolate, of course. Standard pretzels and candy were rounded out by a miniature Sweet Tarts candy cane.

Just spreading that Christmas cheer.

We were grateful as always for each of our visitors on this fine, and relatively comfortable evening, one of the last of whom started coming by at 7–years-old and this year was 17! We were also excited to have precisely the right number of duck bags on hand when she arrived late with a friend, bringing us to 118 bags shared by Scrooge.

Special thanks to our church pal, Peter, for coming in clutch this year, as several of our usual helpers weren’t feeling well, and for even shooting our late live performance video.

Late night garage shenanigans with the crew.

And while there are numerous paths to the Gospel from this classic tale of transformation (making it likely we'll revisit the story for our annual Christmas letter as well), this is the one we told:

JUST THE TEXT:

Ebenezer Scrooge experienced quite a fright, didn’t he? And it wasn’t even at Halloween, but at Christmastime! An orchestrated effort of several spirits—most notably our Ghost of Christmas Future—brought old Scrooge to his senses, helping him transform from a greedy miser to a generous friend to all. Instead of hating Christmas, he finds joy in “keeping Christmas” all year long, with generosity and love toward family, friends and neighbours.

While we need not fear any past (or future) friends coming round to haunt us, the celebration of Christmas really is a great reminder of an event that can change us too. It’s the celebration of a very special baby named Jesus. Spiritual beings called angels even announced His birth, proclaiming Jesus was “God with us,” the Prince of Peace on Earth.

Jesus grew up to be infinitely more kind and generous than the transformed Scrooge! He was willing to give everything, even Himself, so we don’t have to carry the weight and chains of any wrongs we’ve done, like Scrooge’s old friend, Jacob Marley, described. No, Jesus came to carry that weight for us and offer God’s forgiveness. And that means we never have to be haunted by our past, disturbed by our present or in fear of our future.

What’s more, knowing Jesus means we can know a completely unique Spirit—that is, the Spirit of God Himself, the Holy Spirit, who can help us be kind and generous just like Jesus. If we know we’ve been forgiven by God because of Jesus’ generosity, the Holy Spirit can also help us forgive the mean or angry “Scrooges” we might meet in life too.

None of us is too old, or even too young, to trust Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit’s help to change and love others well. To that we say, like Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one!”

If you’d like to know more about Jesus, you might fancy reading the Big Story, plus find Bible links and videos at hallowsgarage.blogspot.com.

With that, we wish you a merry Christmas... and a happy Halloween!
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Be haunted by the ghosts of Our Halloweens past:
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