Great masquerade

Time was, just as the sun went down on Halloween evening, someone – usually Mom or Dan – put a paper skeleton, or black cat, on the front door and called the house ready for trick-or-treaters. A grinning jack-o’-lantern, carved just minutes before, lit the way.

Not anymore.

Today, October decorating goes beyond simple touches like crepe paper garland and plastic masks. Halloween decorating options are endless. The whole family gets in on the act.

Giant inflatable spiders, with wiggly legs and glowing eyes, spread across the lawn competing for attention with lifelike carvable foam pumpkins that are lit by flickering electric bulbs.

Strings of orange lights hang from the eaves and synthetic spider webs create a creepy tangle across the front porch. Witches are strung by wire to sweep across the walk and startle little goblins. Eerie soundtracks of screeches and screams echo throughout the neighborhood.

Decorating for Halloween, once limited to a few disposable dime store goodies for the kids, has gone mainstream. You can spend nothing or a small fortune. It’s up to you.

Photographer Brian Plonka spent a few hours prowling around town looking for homes where Halloween decorating tricks are all part of the treat. And he brought home a goody-bag full of great photos.

This week, HOME is devoted to the creative efforts of homeowners who don’t hesitate to get in the spirit of things. When the doorbell rings tonight and little ones come calling for treats, they’ll be ready.

We want you to take a look at what’s out there and be inspired. Be very inspired.

Happy Halloween.