Dave_H
Flashlight Enthusiast
This year due to COVID situation, in my area door-to-door will be curtailed, maybe not even
happen. I guess for me it's down to "celebrating" Hallowe'en with lighting effects; stuff that's
visible from the street.
I stick to practical things which get re-used year after year until they wear out.
Many items listed have other uses throughout the year.
I will miss changing my porch light to a (real) near-UV CFL lamp which causes certain
costumes (or parts of) to light up; always a hit. I would carry a small UV flashlight to point at
things for added effect.
Here are some ideas, things I do or might try.
(1) I string up some ac-powered orange LED Christmas lights in the front window; usually leave
them on until Christmas lights go up in December.
Orange is not common for Christmas lights, not always easy to find. Some orange specialty strings
are available, but usually overpriced (until such time as they are cleared out if any are left).
(2) Some regular LED bulbs get changed out for different colours such as orange, blue or purple.
I acquired at low cost some low-power RGB ac LED bulbs with remote control, which are great
for this.
(3) A couple of small xenon strobes running at different rates, visible through upstairs window,
resembles lightening flashes.
(4) RBG LED strips powered from USB. They should run several hours from a small USB Li-ion battery
pack, no need for ac plug-in; might put one on the porch.
One aspect of low-cost strips, primary colours are good but some of the mixed colours like
orange and yellow are not all that great, but OK. More expensive strips probably do a better job.
(5) UV porch light as noted earlier but to light up some stationary objects such as white sheets.
Flashlight probably not that useful without kids visiting.
(6) Short strings (10-20) of orange or purple LEDs (dollar store) powered by AA cells, placed
wherever.
(7) Flickering pumpkin lights. Small battery-powered amber flickering LED module sits
atop a small pumpkin and shines through the top cutout. In this case not a real
pumpkin but small one made of hollow wax! Small ornament sit on railing outside.
Dave
happen. I guess for me it's down to "celebrating" Hallowe'en with lighting effects; stuff that's
visible from the street.
I stick to practical things which get re-used year after year until they wear out.
Many items listed have other uses throughout the year.
I will miss changing my porch light to a (real) near-UV CFL lamp which causes certain
costumes (or parts of) to light up; always a hit. I would carry a small UV flashlight to point at
things for added effect.
Here are some ideas, things I do or might try.
(1) I string up some ac-powered orange LED Christmas lights in the front window; usually leave
them on until Christmas lights go up in December.
Orange is not common for Christmas lights, not always easy to find. Some orange specialty strings
are available, but usually overpriced (until such time as they are cleared out if any are left).
(2) Some regular LED bulbs get changed out for different colours such as orange, blue or purple.
I acquired at low cost some low-power RGB ac LED bulbs with remote control, which are great
for this.
(3) A couple of small xenon strobes running at different rates, visible through upstairs window,
resembles lightening flashes.
(4) RBG LED strips powered from USB. They should run several hours from a small USB Li-ion battery
pack, no need for ac plug-in; might put one on the porch.
One aspect of low-cost strips, primary colours are good but some of the mixed colours like
orange and yellow are not all that great, but OK. More expensive strips probably do a better job.
(5) UV porch light as noted earlier but to light up some stationary objects such as white sheets.
Flashlight probably not that useful without kids visiting.
(6) Short strings (10-20) of orange or purple LEDs (dollar store) powered by AA cells, placed
wherever.
(7) Flickering pumpkin lights. Small battery-powered amber flickering LED module sits
atop a small pumpkin and shines through the top cutout. In this case not a real
pumpkin but small one made of hollow wax! Small ornament sit on railing outside.
Dave