A father and daughter duo have revealed decorating their house for Halloween has set them back an incredible £13,000 ($17,000 USD).
James and Faith Hatmaker have been honing their House of Horrors for over 25 years.
The spooky set-up features a haunted DJ booth, a graveyard scene and themed character rooms.
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And 32-year-old Faith has become prolific on TikTok for showing off their creepy designs.
But after decades of fun and frolics, the pair have this year decided to use their display for good, installing QR codes among the display to help visitors donate to charity.
“Halloween has always held a special place in our hearts, especially for my dad, whose passion for the holiday is well-known to all who know him,” Faith, from Ohio, in the US, told What’s The Jam.
“From an early age, my dad introduced me to the thrilling world of horror movies and haunted houses, igniting my own love for Halloween.
“Growing up, our yard transformed into a Halloween wonderland every October.
“This year we believe that combining our love for Halloween with a cause that helps children in need will make this year’s celebration even more special.
“We’ve decided to raise cash for Skeletons for St. Jude, an annual fundraiser that supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which provides treatment for children battling cancer.
“We can’t wait to see how our community responds.
“I feel truly blessed to have such a unique and fun family tradition that sets us apart from others.”
Faith says it was her 59-year-old dad’s time at their local campsite where he truly honed his decorating skills.
She said: “Participating in their Halloween events, he won first place in the best-decorated site competition multiple times, showcasing his creativity and passion for the holiday.
“As the years passed, he shifted his focus to our home, pouring even more effort into his elaborate yard displays.
“Today, Halloween is not just a day on the calendar; it’s a full-blown family event and tradition that we look forward to every year.
“Our display has become a celebration of creativity, nostalgia, and the enduring spirit of Halloween that binds us together.”
Faith said they begin the hard graft of assembling as early as August.
She said: “Our Halloween display is a cherished tradition that typically begins in late August to early September.
“It takes us about a month to complete the setup, with most of the work happening on weekends.
“My dad contributes a few hours during the week whenever he has time outside of work hours.
“My dad is the mastermind behind the majority of the setup, and then I’m there to help bring his vision to life.
“We take pride in creating the display entirely as a family.
“My dad, daughter (Farrah), nephew (Brennon), brother (Billy), fiance (Brandon), little cousin (Jeremiah), and I work together without any outside assistance. “
The duo say they primarily source their items from thrift stores, antique shops and yard sales.
But they also do their own DIY projects.
Faith said: “Our Halloween display is a vibrant tapestry of creativity and nostalgia, built over more than 25 years of dedication.
“For animatronics, we often turn to Home Depot, Spirit Halloween, Trick or Treat Studios and eBay.
“Each year, my dad adds one or two new animatronics or props, contributing to our ever-growing collection.”
Their display features 11 themed rooms and there’s even a horror DJ booth, aptly named ‘Boo-105’ where the local radio station ‘B-105’ hosted a live show.
Faith said: “The themed rooms showcase fan favorites like Beetlejuice, Freddy Krueger and the Crypt Keeper.
“On the second story, you’ll find chilling scenes featuring Wednesday Addams, Ghostface from Scream, Jason Voorhees and Chucky, along with an FX camera that creates the illusion of zombies trying to escape through a window.”
The family even add surprise props on the big night of the 31st and feature clips from horror films.
In front of the buildings there is also a graveyard scene, which Faith says “adds to the eerie atmosphere”.
Faith said: “Creating our Halloween display has been a significant investment over the years, totalling approximately $12,000 (£9,000) for animatronics and props.
“In addition, we’ve spent about $5,000 (£3,000) on building supplies, which includes lumber, electrical components, and lighting equipment.”
James has footed most of the bill, with Faith gifting him props at birthdays.
And contrary to popular belief, their neighbours are fans too.
Faith said: “While we’re actively building, we notice a steady stream of people driving by, stopping to take pictures and videos.
“My dad has even had a few neighbours come by to donate props and money to support the display!
“We’re fortunate to live in a fantastic neighbourhood that embraces Halloween as much as we do, and the positive reactions we receive from everyone really make the hard work worthwhile.
“Last year, we were thrilled to welcome over 800 trick-or-treaters – an incredible testament to the community spirit!”
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