Halloween Displays Create Buzz in NYC
In early October, a truck filled with 4,000 pumpkins made a surprise appearance near Hilary Wallace’s brownstone on Amsterdam Avenue. The locals were hardly taken aback, given that Wallace has a reputation for transforming her home into a Halloween spectacle each season since she moved in eight years ago.
She estimates that this year’s impressive setup cost her around $4,000, most of which went to purchasing seven pallets of pumpkins at an auction in Pennsylvania.
Wallace’s decorations steer clear of plastic monsters and fake spider webs. Instead, her centerpiece features two enormous eyeballs holding terrifying clocks flanking her front door. This striking piece was sourced from a wholesaler in Atlanta and, to up the spook factor, an artist friend painted the edges red.
“I call it ‘Someone’s Always Watching You,’ with a mystical New Orleans potion theme,” Wallace explained, proudly showcasing her creative flair.
Every one of the twelve steps leading up to her entrance is adorned with an eclectic array of gourds in various shapes and colors—some even molded to form faces. If you look closely, you might spot some Dracula and Frankenstein figures nestled among the decor.
Wallace emphasized the importance of details. “We spent five days planning everything, even how the bugs and mice should look on the tree,” she shared. “I go outside, climb a tree in my overalls, and ensure everything is just right.”
This no-frills approach to decorations is becoming a trend in the Big Apple, where homeowners spend significant sums to achieve the spookiest setups possible, often hiring help for elaborate designs.
They’ve even coined a term for this: “pumpkinscaping.”
Homeowner Katie Petruzziello, living in Bronxville and a Halloween lover, opted to hire someone to set up an impressive pile of 50 pumpkins in front of her century-old home this year. As a children’s book author, she found it convenient to enlist Gia D’Onofrio from a local pumpkin concierge service.
“It was well worth it; I didn’t have to struggle with the pumpkins at all,” she remarked, after spending about $450. She plans to add accessories to her porch decor leading up to Thanksgiving. “Anyone can grab pumpkins from the store, but the way Gia styles them is stunning.”
D’Onofrio is capitalizing on this trend, having decorated over 70 homes in Westchester, with customers paying between $325 and $1,000 for her services. For an extra charge, she also offers to compost the pumpkins post-holiday, addressing any potential environmental concerns.
Meanwhile, real estate agents Samantha Zoller and Emily Gonzalez, running a seasonal styling company in New Jersey, note that busy parents often lack the time to set up their own pumpkin displays. Installing a pumpkin cascade can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200, they explained.
The duo prides itself on hard work and tweaking their designs, which often leave clients thrilled without them lifting a finger.
For those looking for something more than simple displays, Mark Evan from Maniac Pumpkin Carvers offers intricate carved pumpkins, attracting a wealthy clientele. His creations can run into the thousands and require NDAs for custom projects.
On the Upper East Side, lifestyle influencer Christy Hemric has become known for her elaborate Halloween displays. This year, she began setting up themes as early as August. Although she didn’t disclose the costs, her elaborate decorations are hard to miss.
Her setup includes lit black leaves lining the handrail, tombstones, a medical book, and a white skull. Unfortunately, her custom Lego flowers were delayed, but she didn’t let that stop her. She repurposed colorful Lego pieces from a previous holiday instead.
Despite the setbacks, she plans to showcase her designs next year too.
Back on the Upper West Side, Wallace believes her Instagrammable stoop not only enhances community spirit but also brightens the day for passersby, whether they are tourists or locals.
“I hear people talking about it from my office two floors up,” she shared, adding how students from a nearby French school bring her extra joy with their comments.
Delighting her neighbors has inspired Wallace to plan her next design, which she hopes to unveil before Christmas. She recalled receiving a note from a parent who took their baby’s first Halloween picture on her stoop, now a four-year-old. “People even get engaged here, right on my stoop. It’s such a fun project to undertake,” she smiled.
