Halloween Haunt 2025: Frankenstein tops our second Halloween decor haul

The second Halloween decor haul continues the Halloween Haunt 2025 annual event with lots of Frankenstein monster-themed merchandise.

For Halloween Haunt 2025, we decided to do fewer posts on merch hauls and limit what we pick up to the really good stuff that we want to add to our collection--yes, a lot of the Frankenstein monster. And I did stick to that goal, but it was a lot more than I expected. Merchants have figured out that the Unviersal Monsters unlicensed stuff sells and I say bring it on!

There are lots of great throws and blankets this year. Trying to stick to the Frankenstein and Universal Monster theme, I still had multiple things to choose from.

This oversized throw features various monsters including the Frankenstein monster, Mummy and Dracula in frames. It came with an all-black throw, as well, which I did have a use for.

I really like this white blanket with Frankenstein heads. It's the perfect centerpiece for my spooky Frankenstein bed setup. I picked this up at Marshalls, but saw it at most of Marshalls/TJMaxx/Homegoods stores locally.

I added another Spooky Town building, and yes it was the Monsters on Main Street version. This is a Michaels exclusive of the popular Lemax lighted miniature scenes.

This Frankenstein's monster bust looked great and even has a Karloff look. This was from Homegoods.

I appreciated that Bath and Body Works did a Frankenstein-themed setup this year, but it was horribly executed with a bakery theme and the best Frankenstein was the guy in the ad on their website. The monster only appears on a pair of socks in the collection. WTF?

I did have to pick up this Frankenstein monster glow-in-the-dark candle holder though. Unfortunately, the theme's candles didn't have much of a Frankenstein vibe at all.

This Frankenstein mug was a bit of a personal hunting holy grail, but I found it at Marshalls. My biggest annoyance with the mugs are they can't be microwaved. I want a spooky one that I can use on Saturday mornings. I guess I'll hold out of a Great Pumpkin one, I've seen some great entries this year.

The second new thing there are three pair of licensed Universal Monsters socks, part of Walmart's Halloween line. Too small for me to wear, but in my neck of the woods finding licensed stuff in person isn't an easy task.

Whoever decided to push the Frankenstein monster and Bride pillows and plushies this year deserves a big thank you! To my disappointment, though, most aren't executed well or never made it to stores in my area.

These more animated style are a little too kid-ish for my style, but they are weighted on the bottom, which make them easier to display. These were a Marshalls pickup.

The next two are more pillows and while still sporting that animated look, I prefer this design. At least they have clothes on! These two came from Burlington.

An early on Homegoods find, I selectively enjoy these strange interpretations of Frankenstein. The bubble lights up.

I love that Target included both Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula in this year's Hide and Eek collection. This animated plush goes well with my animated plush Frankenstein from last year.

Speaking of Target, they're killing it on the vintage stuff! I love it when the outlets listen to what Halloween enthusiasts want! This vintage style black cat wall hanging looks right out of the 1980s.

A Frankenstein monster blow mold. Oh, my gosh! Yes, he is battery-powered, but he's the perfect size and it's a damn Frankenstein monster blow mold! And the best part--it was $10. This was another of Target's Hide and Eek online releases. I'm appreciative of Target for not putting this stuff online and having it sell out in five minutes. I was able to get everything I wanted and most of it is still available to order.

Like the throws, I overdue it with rugs. But when I found this Peanuts Halloween outdoor mat at Burlington for $7, I had to pick it up.

This Frankenstein planter is plastic/resin so it's an indoor piece, but has a good Karloff likeness and offers that spooky feel andl all-year-long vibe. Who am I kidding? I do do Halloween all year long. This was from Marshalls.

I don't do puzzles (who has the time?), but this monster puzzle offered a Halloween smorgasbord topped off by Universal Monsters. Yes, it's a little too "AI" for my liking, but including the monsters and teh oddity of the whole thing made it a great addition to the collection. This was also from Marshalls.

The new stuff in this photo are the three Jack O'lantern-headed skeletons, the Candy Corn Lane Frankenstein and Bride and the Fran-Incense soap. These were all Marshalls finds. Obviously, we'll do anything Frankenstein, but those skeleton's really, as they say "spoke to me." I think it was the thicker nature of their bodies. As an artist, I hate drawing skeletons, but these have such a unique look that, with their jack o'lantern heads were perfect non-Frankenstein pickups.

More Frankenstein-themed items: the animated figure is cool looking and is the companion to the Dracula (see next photo). I picked up a similar candle as the one picutured here last year (far right), but this new one has more of an "oily sheen" and it smells better, too.

The mug and spoon rest are from Ross.

One of my first in-store pickups this year was this animated Dracula. Some idiot chipped his cape when they carried him in from the car (I was the idiot). Fortunately, it's not noticeable.

One of my first online pickups was from Kirklands and is in the running for my favorite piece of the year. I liked this Frankenstein pillow so much I went to Kirklands and picked up one in person. I'd never been in one before and liked the little bit of Halloween decor they had. Unfortunately, the day after I was there they announced the store was closing in Topeka, KS.

The last Peanuts piece for this haul (there will be more) is this vampire Snoopy pillow. This, along with Dracula was my first Halloween purchase this year at Marshalls.

We overdid it with Frankenstein-themed dog toys last year, so this is the only one I've picked up as it's easily displayable, and more importantly, it reminds me of one of my favorite movies: "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein."