Halloween Collectables

I hadn’t really thought about it before today, but it appears that Halloween collectables are quickly becoming items of interest. They of course sell better right before the holiday season but goblins, ghosts, carved pumpkins, and an assortment of Halloween-inspired trinkets are all the rave.

Halloween was traditionally a holiday designed to honor the souls of those who have already passed on. Often celebrated in Mexico, celebrants often decorate their homes and leave offerings of food, candy, and beverages at the gravesites of those who have passed on before them.

As times changed, we began focusing more on ghosts and developing a litany of spooky Halloween traditions. During the Victorian era, celebrants dressed liked whitches and ghosts and paraded around while tapping on special tambourines. They hoped that the sounds from the tambourines would scare away the spirits of the dead.

The tradition of carrying candy containers and running around on a quest to collect the most sweets didn’t develop until the 1940’s and 50’s. The first containers were made of papier-mache (or other materials) and came in wide variety of shapes and styles.

Many of the first halloween items, like tambourines and candy containers, are now coveted items today. Vintage Halloween tambourines have been known to sell as high as $1,200 and candy containers, if in pristine condition, can sell as high as $5,000 (depending on their histories).

Keep your eyes peel the next time you’re out hunting for new antiques and collectables. You may be surprised to find that some of the vintage looking holiday decorations and trinkets you uncover are actually worth paying attention to.