We had fun, Hops. The haunted clown house was a smash success, again, AND the neighbors, with the fabulous cemetery set-up, came by. We went to see them....they had a baby pool sized moon mounted over their house....SO Cool! It had a backlit moon shower curtain stretched over..... can't tell you how amazing the stone look tomb stones, hooded ghoul and new faux stone/iron and chain fencing looked....candle lit lanterns everywhere, a bar and full sized candy bars, whoo hoo! The husband, responsible for making everything, rode his Harley to our house, and we scared him many times! He was impressed. I really enjoyed people's faces as they contemplated sticking their hand in the cauldron of candy, as a shrieking clown face clacked it's sharp teeth at them.....such a dark cauldron..... I'd make a loud snarfing noise, by their head, when they stuck their hand in.....big fun!
My cousin's dh had a really scary costume, and the patience/timing to give the first BIG scare, at the entrance. That set the tone. Everyone of us, sat motionless, amid loud animatronics..... impossible to tell, which thing, was human or doll.....until we moved/jumped scared them.
A good time was had by all, and we went antiquing today.
I'm glad your avoidant prep wasn't necessary.
Lighter