Pumpkin-Themed Halloween Gifts For You and Your Kids

FIVE PUMPKIN-THEMED FAMILY FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS SUITABLE FOR ALMOST EVERYONE

Join in the pumpkin fun! What would Halloween be without the mighty pumpkin or the friendly or scary jack-o-lantern as he becomes known when he is carved? Not much! Join us then in our celebration of pumpkin-themed gift ideas that are perfect for you and your children. You will find some great pumpkin-themed merchandise and gift ideas...all designed to to help you and your children have fun this Halloween. All of the pumpkins on this page will enhance the Halloween celebration girls and boys aged 5 through 8-ish though they aren't limited to that age group. On this page, you will find:

1. Ravensburger's Oh My Gourd. 
2. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - television show, book, puzzle, mug and game.
3. Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
4. Record a Pumpkin Story.
5. Mr. Potato Head Sets.

RAVENSBURGER OH MY GOURD BOARD GAME 

I had to work to find a pumpkin-themed game but I did. Ravensburger's Oh My Gourd is, according to the box, a "gourd-astic, growing game" that is recommended for individuals aged 6 and up. It helps develop math skills as well as introducing plant and gardening ideas. Reviews say that it is easy to understand and quick to set up. Buy your Oh My Gourd game here on Amazon.

IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN 

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a television classic that needs no introduction. Your family will watch this Peanuts show together, year after year. However, don't limit yourself to the television program. Consider these additional ideas: the book of the same name, a jigsaw puzzle or even a coffee mug. 

If you have children to read to, then the book version of the story would be a great addition to your pumpkin collection.  

If you love working jigsaw puzzles, a number of  Halloween-themed jigsaw puzzles are available also here on eBay featuring the classic Halloween story. Jus be sure to pick one appropriate for the ages in your household.

How about a Peanuts' Great Pumpkin-themed coffee mug? That would be perfect for serving witches brew or hot chocolate. It is a great tradition to have a Halloween mug or mugs to bring out and use each and every year during the month of October. Use them for coffee or tea for adults or for hot chocolate, hot apple cider or witches' brew for children. It would even be fun to use a Charlie Brown It's The Great Pumpkin mug to serve pumpkin juice or butterbeer.

Any version of UNO is fun but this version is extra fun at Halloween. Charlie Brown and the gang bring you the It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown UNO, which features cards customized for Halloween, taking Halloween gaming to a whole new level. Recommended for children 7 and up.

Find all of these It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown gift ideas and more, here on Amazon. You may be amazed at all of the options.

SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN

Rated G, Spookley is a story about a pumpkin who is teased about his unusual shape. He is befriended by three funny spiders who manage to convince him that regardless of his shape, he could be Pick of the Patch on Halloween. Of course, there are a couple of bullies who tease him because of his squareness but Spookley eventually discovers that "it's fine to be round while the weather is fair, but there are times it's better to be a square!" 

Click here to order your Spookley The Square Pumpkin DVD or even the storybook version on Amazon.

RECORD A PUMPKIN STORY 

Here's another fun idea that will make a great memory. You can record your voice reading this book, 10 Little Pumpkins. It would be a especially fun at Halloween. Record your voice and your children or grandchildren can listen to the story over and over again. The book could be given to older children to read aloud. However, I have seen the reading level rated for children 9 to 12 years of age. Find your copy of 10 Little Pumpkins here, on Amazon.

MR. POTATO HEAD HALLOWEEN SETS

There is no carving required when you own a Mr. Potato Head pumpkin decorating kit. Whether you pick the ghost, skeleton, witch or another character, they come complete with all the gear you need to get ready for Halloween including eyes, shoes, ears, arms, fans, nose and, where appropriate, a witches hat. However, because we are celebrating pumpkin, you insert these into a pumpkin rather than a potato.

The sets shown on this page are all retired. I recommend that you turn to eBay to search for Halloween-themed Mr. Potato Head sets by clicking right here.

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Are pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns an important part of your Halloween celebrations?

See you 

at the pumpkin patch!

Brenda

MORE HALLOWEEN FINDS: 

Hocus Pocus T-Shirts for Women

Haunt Your House with Lego's Haunted Mansion Set

A Clowder of Black Cat Coffee Mugs

Hocus Pocus Halloween T-Shirt

Here's another Halloween item sure to make you smile though this time it is a fun t-shirt instead of my usual coffee mug, LOL. It reads, "It's All A Bunch of Hocus Pocus" which references the truth or reality of the statement as well as the very successful 1993 movie Hocus Pocus, which has a cult-like following and which starred Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. This tee is created by Printed Tulip on Etsy and is available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. I like how this one is accessorized. I think you will like her other designs, which include the opportunity of a custom t-shirt, one that will say any quote you like.

If you are looking for a fun Halloween shirt, you might consider this one, which you can find on Etsy by clicking right here. I love wearing a Halloween-themed tee in the month of October. How about you?

Halloween is coming! 

Boo-renda

More Reading: 

Not-too-scary movies for tweens.

Wicked Flying Monkeys Coffee Mug

Do you love Halloween? Are you looking for a new Halloween-themed coffee mug? Maybe the best one? Personally, I love many, many of the Halloween mugs out there but this one is definitely one of my favorites. It is just so darned attractive.

This is a Wicked mug, pun intended. I love the dramatic coloring of black on the outside and purple on the inside with a punch of green thrown in for good measure.

As a Wizard of Oz fan, I love the reference to that series and to the he hit Broadway musical called Wicked.

The mug is by Our Name is Mud, holds 16 ounces of your favorite hot and steamy beverage and it is both microwave and dishwasher safe.

Use it to warn your family and friends that if they do not behave, you may just have to call the flying monkeys.

As I update this post in 2024, this mug does not seem to be in production anymore. You can check on Amazon by following this link.

Since it is out of production, you may find it being resold by clicking here on eBay.

Brenda

MORE WIZARD OF OZ READING:

Find a few Wizard of Oz items in my eBay store.

Discover Why  Ruby Slippers Are So Popular.

The Wizard of Oz. One of the Best Blu-ray Movies Ever.

Wicked Flying Monkeys Coffee Mug

Haunt Your House with Lego's Haunted House Set 10228

The Lego Monster Fighters Haunted House (10228)

Dare to enter this haunted mansion at your own risk...

Halloween is hugely popular in my house as it is throughout North America. Who would not love to decorate with this Lego version of a haunted house? Personally, I love the idea. I love the fact that this Lego set is a seasonal decoration that can be built and rebuilt by Lego enthusiasts year after year after year.

Your first impression of this haunted house, even before it is out of the box, will be WOW. It is a very impressive piece, a large set in a big box. The house is an old mansion that is falling apart at the seams.

To enter this haunted house you must first muster the courage to pass through an old 'wrought iron' gate, LOL.

Once you have managed to summon the nerve to cross the rickety step and open that gate and then throw wide the front door you will find a home, well a home for ghosts and vampires and such, with three floors and a roof to explore. The house opens wide in the same manner as a dollhouse so that you can easily access the details inside.

In the kitchen, you can become the zombie chef and whip up a meal on the antique stove. Then you can write us a letter in the Vampyre’s office but beware there are no computers in this office and you will have to post your letter via good old-fashioned snail mail. Perhaps you will take a moment to sit in front of the fireplace and appreciate the home's ghoulish décor before exploring some more. You can access the second floor by pulling a lever in the chimney to release the stairs and continue your adventure in this detailed Lego set.

Lego's Haunted House, set 10228, is a fairly big set, which I have read is or at least was at time of release, Lego's 15th largest set. It contains 2064 pieces and is recommended for individuals aged 14 and up. Of course, it is a great set even for adult Lego builders or for families with older children to build together.

If you are a fan of Lego and Halloween, you will want to consider adding this magnificent Lego set to your collection. Alternatively, if you know someone who is a big fan of Lego and Halloween, this haunted house is most definitely a top-rated gift idea.

The Minifigures 

What is not to love the Lego minifigures that are Included in this set? Within that box, you will find six of them: two glow-in-the-dark ghosts, a vampire and his bride, a zombie chef and a butler.

Quick Facts & Technical Details

I think that Lego has done a brilliant job of creating this haunted house. The technical details that you might like to know include:

This set is number 10228.

It was released in 2012.

It is the largest set in the Monster Fighter series.

It has 2064 pieces.

It has six rooms and a folding staircase.

Those rooms include a kitchen, an office, a bedroom, a potions room and a music room.

This set will measure just over 15 inches high, 9 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep when built.

It is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Includes 6 minifigures.

It originally retailed in the U.S. for $179.99.

Current Status

Lego has retired this set. Unfortunately for those that want one, this means the price has gone up significantly. I think it is fairly safe to say that given the popularity of both Lego and Halloween, in North America this is one of the most sought after sets.

A whopping 100 percent of those who reviewed this set for Lego recommend it saying things like "pure Lego fun" and "genius." Many even consider it to be one of the BEST Lego sets ever produced, which for Lego fans is a pretty strong recommendation, don't you think?

By way of warning, as I write this, this set is currently listed for $445 on Amazon. That price is likely to fluctuate on a daily basis and to spike in the months leading up to Halloween. You can check it out for yourself on Amazon by clicking right here.

Price comparison on eBay may or may not save you a few details. As I write this in July, 2017, the price for a new sealed box set starts at $349 plus shipping.  You can see what is available on eBay today by clicking here.

More Monster Fighter Sets

Lego created a number of sets in the Monster Fighter series. They have included the following sets, none of which are being produced by Lego anymore but most of which are available on Amazon by clicking right here.

The Swamp Creature, Set 9461 (70 pieces)
The Mummy, Set 9462 (90 pieces)
The Werewolf, Set 9463 (243 pieces)
The Vampyre Hearse, Set 9464 (314 pieces)
The Crazy Scientist & His Monster, Set 9466 (430 pieces)
The Ghost Train, Set 9467 (741 pieces)
Vampyre Castle, Set 9468 (949 pieces) Set 9468

In Conclusion

I think that this set is a pretty amazing Lego creation. How about you? Are you interested in owning it? Do you dare to enter Lego's haunted mansion?

Be sure to subscribe for future posts by using the subscribe button on the right because you never know what I might have in store for you!

Brenda

Author's Note: Originally written for another site in 2014.

31 DAYS OF COFFEE MUGS: A Clowder of Black Cat Coffee Mugs

Love Black Cats? You'll Want To Adopt One Of These Coffee Mugs!

Black Cat Appreciation Day is August 17. The day was created in 2011 to help eliminate superstitions about black cats and to help them be adopted.

Whether or not you are able to own a black cat, you may love them, as I do.

You can celebrate black cats all year long or at Halloween by adopting one or more black cats or by adding one of the attractive black cat coffee mugs found here on this page to your collection.

All of these coffee cups are purr-fect for Halloween gift ideas, too. Perhaps as a hostess gift or as a gift for a cat lover. Just fill with candy, tea or maybe even some hot chocolate and pumpkin spice mix, wrap and deliver!

Click here to find this Catffeinated coffee mug on Amazon.

Concombre's Black Cat Tail Mug

This black cat tail mug is fun and will make the cat lover in you smile every time you grasp the cat's tail. The Amazon customers say that it really is cute and that will make a perfect gift for a cat lover. Find it on Amazon by clicking right here. Unfortunately, this mug appears to be sold out. You can also look for Concombre's Black Cat Tail coffee mug here on eBay.

Concombre's Black Cat Mug and Spoon Set

This unusual coffee mug from Japanese Cloud Nine features a black cat and a coordinating black cat spoon. It was made by Japanese designer Decole. Find it here on Amazon. This mug is also sold out on Amazon although there is a similar frog set available. You can find the Concombre cat mug and spoon set here on eBay.

Cheshire Cat Coffee Mug

"Well, I've often seen a cat without a grin, but a grin without a cat! It's the most curious thing!" - Alice in Wonderland.

Have your next cup of coffee with the smiling face of Alice in Wonderland's Chesire Cat. A most popular cat, you'll enjoy seeing the Cheshire cat smiling at you with your morning coffee. Fans of black cats and Alice's story will enjoy using this mug! Find this mug on Amazon by clicking here.

Cat Eyes Coffee Mug

There's a whole lot of black cats hanging out on this mug! You will love these black cat eyes looking at you from your cup of coffee. This attractive mug is dishwasher and microwave safe. Find these eyes on this mug (in another color) on Amazon here.

Le Chat Noir Coffee Mug

You'll love this 11 ounce ceramic coffee mug and the French advertising themed image that wraps around it. This mug is both dishwasher and microwave safe and features attractive colors that won't fade. Find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Grasslands Black Cat Coffee Mug

DON'T BE SO CATTY, THAT'S MY JOB.

I love this wicked "Don't Be So Catty" coffee mug from Grasslands, too. (There are so many fantastic black cat mugs!) It's a ceramic cup with a high gloss finish and it is both dishwasher and microwave safe. It will hold 18 ounces of your favorite Halloween brew but of course it will work the rest of the year, too. Unfortunately, it is sold out on Amazon.

Japanese Black Cat Coffee Mug with Lid & Spoon 

This Christmas-themed black cat coffee mug was designed by Fiddlestix for Oneida. It features both a cup and a lid. I think it is a very nice cup for anyone who collects black cats and/or coffee mugs and who wants to have a Christmas item with a black cat on it. I love the fact that the lid will help keep your coffee, tea or hot chocolate warm.  Find it on Amazon here.

Chester the Cat Black and White Coffee Mug

What's not to love about this Chester the Cat mug? Well, for some the fact that it is NOT microwave or dishwasher would definitely be a problem but if you don't use a dishwasher or you are a big collector, that issue might not be so important. This mug is definitely attractive and I love all the additional coordinating pieces that are available from Amazon.

Are you loving these black cat coffee mugs? I am!

You never know what
coffee mug I might have
in store for you.
Brenda


Authors Note: This page was written elsewhere in 2013.

Martha Stewart Halloween Magazine 2014

Every year, I wait anxiously for the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living.  Well, here it is, at last.

The magazine this year is two sided with one side representing the regular monthly issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. It's done in grays and oranges with ornate pumpkins and a handsome owl and really is a lovely image, don't you think? Kudos to those fabulous photographers and of course to those who give the photographers some pretty great props to photograph.

The flip side of this issue, called Martha Stewart Living A Special Section, features Martha looking pretty amazing in silvery white and blue. Her turquoise eyes (or maybe that color really is Martha's robin's egg blue) really pop. When you look at that picture for more than a moment you see more and more levels of detail. I expect it must have been difficult for the costume designers to know when to stop.

If you were looking for a Martha Stewart Living special edition for 2014, I think it is safe to say that you can stop looking.  The presence of the words "A Special Section" on the backside of this October issue confirms at least in my mind that there will not be a dedicated special this year.

If you'd like to add this year's issue to your collection, you can find it at Amazon by clicking right here.

Happy Haunting
Boo-renda!

Halloween Snow Globe Jigsaw Puzzle

I know, I know all you Halloween fans and snow globe collectors are going to fall for this snow globe-shaped, Halloween-themed jigsaw puzzle. It features many of your favorite holiday items packed in and around a snow globe without, of course, the fragile nature of an actual snow globe.

The details included a modern home that is decorated for Halloween; lots of jack-o'-lanterns; an overflowing pumpkin-shaped candy bucket and a black cat.

With 1,000 pieces, this SunsOut puzzle is a great challenge to take on before Halloween. Find it on Amazon by clicking right here. If you find it retired, as I expect it might be, try looking for this Halloween snow globe-shaped puzzle here on eBay.

You never know what I might have in store for you!

Happy Puzzling!
Boo-renda

Not Really Scary Movies For Halloween

In advance of Halloween, I know that a few of you are looking for a good scary movie that's not quite so scary so I thought I would give you a few to consider.  These recommendations are all based on pages that I have written on other blogs and websites. By following any of the underlined links, you will be able to read more about each of the movies.

Starting with scary movies for tweens, you might want to consider my list, Not Too Scary Movies For Tweens or Pre-Teens on Halloween on which you will find six movies that are appropriate for tweens.

On that list, you will find one of the best best Blu-ray movies of 2009, the 3D stop motion movie, which is suitably eerie,  Coraline.

You might also check out Under Wraps, a lesser-known cult-favorite Disney movie. If you don't enjoy watching dated footage, you will not want to watch this one but if you can put those concerns aside, you might have fun with this movie.

Audrey Hepburn's Wait Until Dark is an excellent choice for those of us who like psychological thrillers. This is one to watch with the lights out, exactly as they did when this Audrey Hepburn movie first aired in the movie theatres in the 1960s.

Then there is Oliver's Ghost, a Hallmark Halloween movie. Nothing about Hallmark can be too scary, can it?

I hope you find an interesting scary movie choices for your Halloween viewing...and I'd love to hear your recommendations, particularly for scary movies that are thrillers rather than horror movies.

Brenda
Music and Movie 

Treasures By Brenda

Martha Stewart Halloween Magazines Are A Good Thing!

My collection of Martha Stewart Halloween magazines are out again as they are at this time every year. I may only pick one or two ideas from them since time seems to be so short but I surely do enjoy reading them again and again, every year.

Building your collection? You can find both the regular October issues and the Halloween special editions here on ebay.

Halloween,
It's A Boo-tiful Thing!
I wish you a Happy Haunting!
Brenda