{"title":"Halloween, Mail, and Halloween mail essays","description":"\u003cp\u003eEssays on celebrating Halloween, October, autumn, during the calendared season and the rest of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeas about who to mail, what to say, and how often to say it. Sharing mail coming in and going out.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sending-halloween-mail-year-round","title":"Sending Halloween mail year-round","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwo of the great loves of my life are Halloween and the mail. They both go together perfectly, celebrating inexpensive art and craft, paper and stories, terror and whimsy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus, I make it a point to send (and enjoy receiving!) Halloween mail year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eMail I have sent and received!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/happy-cold.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe onset of autumn brings new selections, memories and ideas, and early winter brings clearance sales and time to slow down, catch up, reply and stumble across names I'd meant to send to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dreaded \"what to say on a card or letter\" is simple to solve...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat spooky, witchy, autumnal thing are you dreaming of right now?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf it is not actively autumn, what are you remembering? What are you missing, what are you excited about returning?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat are you planning for the next autumn?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/pumpkin-mail.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/great-pumpkin.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/dracula.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/gorey-mail.jpg?v=1788739809\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/mother-goose-grimm.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/fun-stamps.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/bats.jpg?v=1788739810\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDon't over-think it with your non-spooky friends!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour ephemera selections are as much about \u003cem\u003eyou\u003c\/em\u003e as they are the \u003cem\u003erecipient. \u003c\/em\u003eWhile most (if not all) of my mail is monster and ghost-based, not everyone I send notes to share the aesthetic, the stories, the artwork in their life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mail I send is a reflection of \u003cstrong\u003emy\u003c\/strong\u003e taste, \u003cstrong\u003emy\u003c\/strong\u003e life, \u003cstrong\u003emy\u003c\/strong\u003e joys. I send Halloween and monster cards all year, for all occasions, to everyone (with exceptions to known boundaries). The message may be more conventional in nature, but the card and decoration will be purely October.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Netherworld Post Office","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43590797393981,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/halloween-mail.jpg?v=1788739572"},{"product_id":"now-we-are-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown","title":"Now we are the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown","description":"\u003cp\u003eHalloween is one of the great pleasures in my life. Both the holiday as well as the spirit, which I celebrate year-long... a celebration built from a lifetime of memories, experiments, successes and failures, themselves built from materials developed by countless hands and claws, minds on sleepless nights, ghosts, haunted places, mistakes, mishaps, happenstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it is so important to me, I am always tempted to create the \"Perfect Halloween.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/great-pumpkin_87b2a388-1714-4595-a018-835fda1fc9f1.jpg?v=1788813520\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull of activity and energy, somehow with the exact combination of far-flung famous haunted houses as well as neighborhood haunts. Great feasts and costume parties, intimate gatherings and dumb suppers with friends and loved ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStorming nights alone with popcorn and spooky cartoons. Shadows made long by a roaring fire, an oversized chair, a thick pile of books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/infinite-joy.jpg?v=1788813445\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn the end, though, Halloween is perfect because it is \u003cem\u003eHalloween.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNever wanting it to end is the best possible place to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI find getting lost in the rush a signal to pause and slow down. Enjoy cool night air! Browse the library's holiday section! Watch spooky cartoons and old specials!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMy two favorite holiday traditions:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReviewing and recreating experiences from years past. \u003c\/strong\u003eDoubly so if it has been a handful of years since I have had time to recreate a cherished memory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbsolutely \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003edisregard\u003c\/span\u003e everything I have done in the past \u003c\/strong\u003eand plunge head-first into novelty and figure out something new. Immediately declare it my favorite thing ever, proclaim it will be a defining moment forever, and never suffering ill will if\/when it is forgotten.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese two contradict each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is how I keep the spirit (ha ha!) alive and well in my heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanning less.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo more.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBe completely open to sponteneity.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAnd when in doubt or lack, delving into the library's \"holiday\" section for a free read, art and comics browse.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/halloween-book.jpg?v=1788815593\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/halloween-book-two.jpg?v=1788815593\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/treehouse-of-horror.jpg?v=1788815593\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI watched the original \u003cem\u003eTreehouse of Horror\u003c\/em\u003e in October of 1990, and have re-(re-re-re-) watch them every year.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt wasn't until 2025!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat I realized!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComics!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs well!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThere are! \u003cem\u003eTreehouse of Horror\u003c\/em\u003e properties! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've never seen!\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are \u003cem\u003eThe Haunted Mansion\u003c\/em\u003e novels, and friends I will meet in the beginning of the year that I've never mailed a spooky card to, pumpkin patch vendors change locations every year, and decorations...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e...oh the decorations...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e...are never enough, always too much, and seemingly multiply in the dark when I am not looking (best for us all, perhaps, privacy is important.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/pumpkin-uncarved.jpg?v=1788816638\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Halloween celebration is perfect merely via existence and celebration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Netherworld Post Office","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43593965830205,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/great-pumpkin_87b2a388-1714-4595-a018-835fda1fc9f1.jpg?v=1788813520"},{"product_id":"making-mail-with-collage-and-scraps","title":"Making mail with collage and scraps","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/collage.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eOne of the best ways to add more visual texture to your mail is to chop up old magazines.\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eOne of the best ways to find old magazines are the side-of-the-road library book boxes where people are looking to \u003cs\u003eget rid of\u003c\/s\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eshare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e their ephemera collections.\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/collage-mail.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/spikes.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/pinup.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/josh-mail-dmv.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eOne of my favorite tiny envelope doodles. A good friend had a weird issue with a car, and because the DMV hates him specifically as a person, it took 105,748 trips to resolve.\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/donovan-mail.jpg?v=1788823088\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrab a few old magazines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut or rip out pages. Cut out things as desired -- photos, illustrations, advertisements, chunks of text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlue down with a glue stick.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf it looks boring, \u003c\/strong\u003eadd a sticker or more scraps on top. Repeat as desired. Continue until it no longer looks boring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you are applying to an envelope,\u003c\/strong\u003e cover with a layer of clear packing tape to help ensure easy processing during mail sorting. If you do not have tape, make a note for a future store run. Do not delay mail \"until the perfect time,\" it does not exist beyond \"right now.\" Mail imperfectly, with fervor, often.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Netherworld Post Office","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43594215555133,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/7499\/1677\/files\/josh-mail-dmv.jpg?v=1788823088"}],"url":"https:\/\/netherworldpost.com\/en-ca\/collections\/halloween-mail-and-halloween-mail-essays.oembed","provider":"Netherworld Post Office","version":"1.0","type":"link"}