Halloween keepsake links generations

When October rolls around, I love to decorate with the beautiful colors of autumn. I put pumpkins, squash, chestnuts and acorns in the center of the table with a few scarlet and gold maple leaves as accents. I look for candles scented with “kitcheny” flavors like vanilla and honey. And, of course, I add a few Halloween decorations.

One of the favorite decorations at my house is a little black and orange plastic child’s party favor. It was made in the 1960s and still has the 10-cent price stamp on the bottom. My children love it because it was their father’s when he was a boy.

Trinkets like it were sold at variety stores and the five and dime in the 1950s and 60s. They were mass-produced and obviously inexpensive.

Vintage Halloween items are very collectible. Their value is increasing. The good news is that mid-century items like the little plastic pumpkin on my table are still relatively easy to find at garage sales and flea markets. And they aren’t expensive.

Like most vintage collectibles, older Halloween decorations have a certain charm. They’re subtly different from the things you can find in stores today. And like our little black and orange pumpkin, they are a tangible connection to celebrations of the past.

Flea Market Fun

For most treasure hunters, nothing beats a weekend at the flea market. Dealer Sally Reid called to tell me that the November flea market at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center will run three days. That’s an extra day of fun.

The flea market opens Friday and runs through Sunday. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (208)746-5555