Halloween bargains so good, it’s almost frightening Win a pumpkin-decorating kit!

If you think “Nightmare on Elm Street” is creepy, you clearly haven’t experienced “Nightmare on Main Street.” This is what would happen if I didn’t stock up on fabulous Halloweenies for ShopGirl Jr. and ShopMom.

In my family, Halloween is so over-the-top it’s scary. And this time of year, I turn into ShopGhoul. Since shopping is my business – and business is good – Friday the 31st won’t look anything like “Friday the 13th” this year. Whew.

In fact, my finds are so good, things are starting to resemble a Disney flick. It all started at Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’ in Orono, where a stained-glass bat and ghost in the window caught my eye ($12 each). I loved them even more when I discovered they were handmade by local artisan Dolores Stone. While I was there, I also grabbed cute little “Boo” magnets. Just because.

I had to restrain myself at Patrick’s Hallmark (Bangor Mall and Broadway Shopping Plaza). I was even ready to buy a “Boos Brothers” figurine for my father. The place has a hauntingly good selection of holiday goodies.

So does Between Friends on Center Street in Brewer. If you have not visited this adorable gift shop and arts center, go. Now. The selection tends toward the country-primitive, and the handmade tweed pumpkins ($5.95-$6.95) and tin “Boo” signs ($4) are just adorable. Ditto for the Halloween quilt, although even I have to admit that would be a little much.

When it comes to spider webs, bats and things that go bump in the night, too much is just right. So of course, I didn’t stop there. Instead, I headed over to Old Navy, which had some of the cutest glow-in-the-dark treat bags I’ve seen ($3.50). I draw the line on dog costumes, however. That would be frightening. For so many reasons.

On the decidedly unfrightening side are the caramel-pumpkin scented candles from Slatkin & Co. at Bath and Body Works ($12.50). They come in a small, decidedly untacky ceramic pumpkin – in traditional colors or an elegant bone white. B&BW has a great selection of sweet-smelling treats that won’t dent your wallet or expand your waistline.

Looking for devilishly delightful decor at a discount? Check out Marshalls, T.J. Maxx ‘n More and Target, all of which have Halloween displays that rival their Christmas selection. Why should December have all the fun?

And speaking of fun, it’s time once again for Penobscot Theatre’s annual costume yard sale, just in time for Halloween. But you’d better hurry: The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in front of the Bangor Opera House.

When it comes to my favorite holiday, there’s only one thing I dread – carving the pumpkin. I’m a complete klutz, and by the time I’m finished, it looks like Freddy Krueger and the guy from “Texas Chainsaw Masscre” stopped by.

I hope to avoid the bloodbath this year with a tool kit from PumpkinMasters. You can find them at most major retailers (including grocery stores), and the carving tools are quite a bit safer than your average knife. The new Deluxe Fright Lights – think Lite Brite for pumpkins – are so cool for kids. Even the plain old carving kit has enough patterns to turn even a klutz like me into Martha. More patterns are available at www.pumpkinmasters.com.

If you want something even safer than that, you might want to try paint markers. You can find them at A.C. Moore, and I also really like the pearlized markers from Sakura of America (inventor of the gel pen). They’re available at art supply stores or online at www.sakuraofamerica.com.

Between the markers, the tools and the Halloweenies, ShopGhoul doesn’t have to worry about a thing. But just to be on the safe side, if there’s a knock on the door while I’m home alone, I’m not answering it.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. For exclusive online shopping tips, visit http://shoppingblogbdn.blogspot.com.

Win a pumpkin-decorating kit!

ShopGhoul is giving away two pumpkin-decorating kits and paint markers! To enter, visit the newly redesigned – and much more interactive – ShopBlog at http://shopblogbdn.blogspot.com/ for instructions. Two winners will be chosen at random on Friday, Oct. 24, and announced in the ShopBlog on Saturday, Oct. 25. Good luck and, as always, happy haunting – I mean, shopping!