I have long known that Halloween is the biggest selling holiday in America. With all the costumes, candy and decorations that people buy, that comes as no surprise. But I have just discovered a trend known as Summerween that I will review here.
The stores have long put their Halloween merchandise out during the late summer. However, Good Morning America says that stores launched their Halloween items extra early this year at least in part hoping to catch a piece of this trend. People are not just buying their Halloween supplies early but they are actually celebrating the holiday twice. That is, in October and in June or July and hence the term Summerween.
According to the magazine Real Simple, the holiday may have originated from the Season 1, Episode 12, Disney Channel episode of Gravity Falls, in which the residents celebrated Halloween with jack-o-melons and trick-or-treating in the summer on June 22nd or the second to last Friday of the month. The Pioneer Woman points out that if this is the origin, it took more than a decade for the trend to translate from the screen to reality, which it has done in 2025.
Summerween is enjoying succes at least in part because of the nostalgia surrounding Halloween though Summerween-themed merchandise tends to include our favorite themes with some brighter, summery colors like those shown in the photo at the top of this page. You will find an endless variety of items like these for your Summerween celebration here on eBay.
The new ‘holiday’ is I suppose whatever you make it but it tends to be a blend of summer and Halloween with both non-traditional Halloween items like the aforementioned melon jack-o-lantern, icy drinks and flamingoes to traditional items like Frankenstein, skeletons and ghosts. You can have a pool party and a BBQ. You can read fireside stories at the campfire. You can watch spooky movies outdoors!
What a great way to get double the value out of your Halloween collection. If once a year is not enough for you and you want to do Halloween twice, you’ll find lots of ideas for celebrating a traditionally non-traditional Summerween in your social media feed but let me take this opportunity to share a few great ideas here:
How about a Barbie-themed apron? I think it would make a perfect part of your costume in the summertime especially if you are serving up some pink cocktails.
A Summerween party with recipes from Delish that seem appropriate to the original holiday hosted in summer. Mummy hot dogs, pumpkin s'mores cookies and a black widow cocktail are just a few.
Puzzles aren't just for wintertime. If you find you have more time on your hands in the summer or you just enjoy puzzling all year long, you will enjoy this Halloween Treats puzzle.
SOUND UNNATURAL?
"Summerween?" says the Gravity Falls character played by Kristen Schall. "Sounds unnatural." What do you say?
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Fans of The Muppets and Jim Henson, of Halloween and of General Mills’ Monster Cereals are going to love this review of this limited-edition, monster-themed cereal. It’s a collaboration between the two companies. That is, The Jim Henson Company and the General Mills Company and it shares new artwork with the popular monster cereal characters of Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry as Muppet-style puppets.
General Mills says the boxes are tactile and ‘soft-touch fuzzy’ though I have not had the opportunity to actually touch one and I have seen mixed messages about when it is supposed to be released. One article said October and another said August but I see that some boxes with this artwork are already on store shelves and on eBay as I write this post on August 11, 2025. It does make me wonder if there is a non-fuzzy and a fuzzy version. If you know, be sure to let us know!
The back of the boxes feature more Muppet pictures and celebrates 70 years of “A Monstrous Legacy.” The box is collector worthy whether you collect Muppet, Halloween or cereal-themed items and is supposed to retail for $7.70 per box at Walmart. Of course, being a limited edition, that price will not last once the supply is sold out. If you don't find the box or boxes on the cereal shelf, you will likely have to pay more to obtain the boxes when they are retired.
General Mills says, “Whether you're reliving fond Halloween memories or making new ones, Monsters Cereal promises a season of frightful fun, fuzzy feels, and puppet-powered nostalgia.” Though not a particular fan of this cereal myself, I agree.
Note that more merchandise and collectibles are available here on Jim Henson’s website featuring the Monster Cereals. Eventually, I am sure, they will arrive on eBay, too.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
The right lunch box is very important to any child. They
reflect personalities, preferences, or interests at a glance.
When my
children were in elementary school, carrying the right lunch box was just as
important as having a "cool" backpack for the first day of school.
Because so many schools require uniforms now, lunch boxes and backpacks are often the only things that allow students to show their individuality. In our family, one of our favorite adventures before school started each year, was
selecting a new lunch box.
Favorite featured "characters" change with each
year so it is important to let kids select what they want when you can. Like
Halloween costumes, whatever video game, cartoon or movie character is a hit, that is often the
most sought after character design for a lunch box.
There were years when my
children wanted dinosaurs, animal or space related "everything" regardless of what else was popular. While
my children were most concerned about the pattern on the fabric, I was
concerned about the closure, pockets, straps, weight, size and whether or
not it was sturdy enough to last the school year.
I preferred a lunch box that had a separate interior pocket for an ice
pack. I always liked to include a dessert like a fruit cup or a
pudding cup along with a sandwich in their lunches. Because those choices must be kept cold, I added a
reusable ice pack to
their lunch boxes. I wanted the ice pack in a pocket so it would not get
thrown out with their food packaging trash. Even juice boxes need to be kept cool, as well as any sandwich that has lunch meat or refrigerated condiments, so those ice packs were
imperative.
I also wanted their lunchboxes to have a zippered external pocket for napkins or a separate morning snack, which was allowed in kindergarten and first grade. I didn't want them to have to search inside of their lunch box for the snack.
Back then, we were limited to what was available in our local stores.
Today's generation of school-age children have a plethora of online stores
to search for just the right lunch box or lunch bag.
Parent and Student Approved Lunch Boxes or Bags
Depending on the age of the child, the size will be a big part of what a
parent will need to check before purchasing a lunch box for their
student. For instance, a kindergarten student could not easily carry
an adult size lunch tote filled with food. A small child will most
likely need a lunch box that measures approximately 8.5" x 9.5" x 3.25" while an older child can carry a larger lunch box.
As kids get older, they will most likely prefer specific artwork, or a solid color lunch tote. However, they will still need the same lunch box construction features itemized above.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Why Creating Playlists Has Made a Big Difference for My YouTube Channel
I'm not a YouTube guru, and I'm definitely not one of the big-time experts with millions of followers—but I do have a YouTube channel called Stumped Riddles, and I've spent countless hours researching ways to improve it.
Along with learning about YouTube's new Algorithm, one of the best pieces of advice I picked up—and something I've personally found incredibly valuable—is the power of creating playlists.
If you're new to YouTube or haven't tapped into the playlist feature much, let me walk you through the reasons why it's something you shouldn't overlook.
1. End Screens + Playlists = More Watch Time
This is the biggest benefit I've found so far.
When uploading long-form videos, YouTube allows you to add an end screen at the end of your video. One of the options you can add to that screen is—you guessed it—a playlist.
Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, so what? It's just a playlist." But here's why it matters: you control what goes in that playlist. If you've several videos on a particular topic (in my case, riddles), you can link viewers directly to related videos using the playlist feature.
And here's where it gets better:
On desktop, the full playlist shows up on the right-hand side of the screen. That means even if someone doesn't click the box on your end screen, they might glance over and click another video in the list. Your list occupies that real estate!
On mobile, that playlist appears below the video, making it easy for viewers to continue watching your content.
This increases your watch time, and that's something YouTube loves.
2. The Master Playlist: One Place for All Your Videos
If your videos all fall under one broad theme, like mine do, it's a good idea to create a master playlist, along with other category playlists.
The master playlist will contain every video you've published that fits within your channel's overall theme.
As you keep creating, that master list keeps growing—and that's a good thing. People can easily binge on your content, which again boosts your channel's watch time.
This master playlist can also be used on end screens or discovered in searches (more on that below). And just like before, people on desktop see it to the right, and mobile users see it below the video.
3. Break It Down: Organize Your Content into Logical Categories
Besides having a master list, organizing your videos into specific topic-based playlists helps your audience find exactly what they're looking for.
Here are some of the playlists I've created on my channel:
Christmas Riddles
Halloween Riddles
Riddles for Teens, Adults, and Seniors
Emotion & Virtue Riddles
Food Riddles
Nature Riddles
What Am I Riddles
And a special one for the Riddle Sisters, a new series I've started
and more....
You can even put one video in multiple playlists if it fits into more than one category. This gives your content more chances to be discovered through different search paths.
Here’s One of My Playlists (Featuring the Custom Cover I Designed):
4. Give Each Playlist a Unique Cover Image
This may seem like a minor detail, but I've found it extremely helpful for visual organization.
You can upload a custom image for each playlist, so that when people visit your YouTube channel homepage, they can instantly spot the difference between categories. I've done this for all of mine—it gives your channel a more polished look and helps guide viewers more easily.
If you're new to it, you'll need to research how to do this, but it's relatively straightforward once you've learned the basics.
5. Write Descriptions for Your Playlists (They Matter!)
This is one thing that's easy to skip, but it's essential: make sure you write a solid description for each of your playlists.
YouTube treats playlist descriptions as part of your searchable content. So, if someone types "Christmas riddles" into the search bar, your "Christmas Riddles" playlist (with the right keywords in the description) might show up, not just your individual videos.
In other words, your playlists can be searchable assets. That's extra real estate on YouTube to help people find your content.
Final Thoughts: Don't Get Overwhelmed—Just Keep Building
If you're just getting started with YouTube, it can seem overwhelming. I've been there—and truthfully, I'm still learning every single day.
My best advice? Don't try to figure everything out at once. Focus on one piece at a time. Playlists were one of those "a-ha" moments for me, and once I got the hang of them, I saw how much they helped, not only with organization but also with growth.
So take it step by step. Learn a little more each time you post a video. And when it comes to playlists, trust me—they're worth the effort.
Time to Solve a Riddle!
Take a breather and try to crack this fun riddle from Wild Roxy of the "famed" Riddle Sisters! It's a YouTube Short—and I'll be sharing tips on Shorts along the way too!
Enjoy!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
We are all familiar with Christmas in July. Now we have a midpoint Halloween Holiday called Halfway to Halloween ~ or Halfoween.
Halfoween or Halfway to Halloween Fun Facts
Halfoween is a celebration midway to All Hallow’s Eve, usually occurring on or about April 30th or May 1st. It has become a great time to enjoy some early spooky fun. Many celebrate with themed events or other activities.
This halfway Halloween holiday often finds people putting up Halloween decorations, preparing and eating Halloween-themed snacks and drinks, and having special events like watching favorite spooky movies or putting on a costume and enjoying a Halloween party or attending a festival.
*Personal Note: My daughter-in-law will be thrilled to learn of this special halfway holiday, as Halloween is her VERY favorite holiday for which she has TONS of decorations for both inside and outside the house. Now she will be able to use them twice a year! :)
This holiday hasn’t been around very long, but it is interesting to note that this date of Halfway to Halloween occurs around the date of Walpugis Night, or Walpurgisnacht (‘Night of the Witches). This is a pagan festival celebrated on April 30th each year. The tradition involves lighting bonfires and singing Celtic folk songs to mark the arrival of Spring.
The Disney Parks “Halfway to Halloween"
In recent years, the Disney Parks have adopted this Halfway to Halloween celebration as an annual event where the Disney destinations announce and preview their upcoming Halloween celebrations. They have parties like “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" at Walt Disney World and the 'Oogie Boogie Bash' or Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. You can check out the upcoming new offerings, plus early looks at Halloween decorations and merchandise on the Disney Parks Blog.
Summary
A really exciting way to celebrate the Halfway to Halloween Holiday is to attend one of the many festivals (or spooky film festivals) being held around the country around the end of April or the first of May. Do an online search to see if there is one happening in your area, or plan on attending one that appeals to you.
The most fascinating one I spotted for this year is the Wicked New England Festival being held on May 3rd in Salem, Massachusetts (home of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692). Quite an appropriate location for a Wicked Halfway to Halloween Holiday Festival. The event is for anyone who can't wait for Spooky season!
So, mark April 30/May 1 on your calendar to celebrate Halfway to Halloween in your favorite 'celebrate Halloween' way.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Leftover Holiday Candy? Repurpose leftover holiday candy and nuts into yummy candy Bark with ease. So easy for any holiday or party any time of the year! Christmas, Halloween and Easter Holidays definitely produce a variety of candy (or sales to stock up!)
How To Make Holiday Candy Bark
Materials
Baking sheet
Parchment Paper
Glass bowl
Ingredients
Leftover Candy
Chocolate or White Chocolate melted, 1 bag of chips or 1-2 Bag of melts
Sprinkles optional.
How To Make
Prepare all the candy, nuts, decorations. Unwrap candy, chop nuts, chop candy if needed.
Prepare the baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt the chips or melts in the microwave in a glass bowl or the bowl of your choice which is microwaveable.
Microwave on high 1 minute and check. Use 30 second increments after the first minute. After each 30 sec check the chocolate and stir. Check if the chocolate is melted to a spreadable consistency.
With a spatula spread the chocolate mixture over the parchment paper. Thickness should be enough to cover the paper, about 1/4 inch thick.
Add the chopped or whole candy, nuts and sprinkles if desired. Randomly sprinkle over the chocolate mixture.
Freeze or put in refrigerator to set.
Break apart into triangles pieces. Store covered and can store in refrigerator if in danger of melting.
Which Candy, Nuts, Raisins Work Well
There can be trial and error with choosing the best leftover candy. Chopping the candy into bite size pieces is helpful. Raisins, coconut and nuts can usually be used from the package.
Leftover candy canes work well but should be chopped.
Leftover Easter Bunnies work well but should be cut up into smaller pieces.
Chocolate can be testy when melted and each type of chocolate has its' own correct temp to melt. I have found using the microwave on high for 1 minute, check and stir, then in 30 second increments does work well.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
A cute developmental toy for the new baby to enjoy, My Baby's First Thanksgiving Playset comes with a Tom Turkey who has jingle sounds, a Pilgrim Teddy Bear who squeaks, and a crinkly Pumpkin Pie toy. The Native American Girl is also a rattle. These soft plush interactive toys fit inside a tote bag hand-embroidered with a turkey applique and the words “My 1st Thanksgiving”.
What would be more appropriate for a newborn for this holiday mealtime than the gift of a darling baby bib with a sweet baby turkey and the words “My First Thanksgiving” printed on it. This soft cotton bib would make a really cute holiday baby gift.
First Christmas Tree Ornament
Since my daughter was born just one week before Christmas, I know what it’s like to have a newborn at holiday time.
One of the cutest and most clever personalized baby outfits I’ve come across is this absolutely adorable “Sorry Santa, I drank the milk” newborn romper.
The sleeves have the fold over mitts and a fold over foot cuff for a footed romper option. The bottom snaps open to make easy access for the quick diaper changes.
The outfit comes with a knotted beanie hat that will be personalized with the baby's name in the same font and colors as the romper.
This outfit and a wide variety of other 1sts are available in the Etsy Shop called Qatasta.
Summary
Happy Holidays to all, and an especially warm holiday welcome to the newest babies.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Are you looking for a fun way to give your brain a workout? Or maybe you love a good challenge that makes you pause and think, then say, "Ah-ha!" If so, you're in for a treat.
Welcome to the StumpedRiddles YouTube Channel, where I share my collection of originally written riddles in video format. They are crafted to make you think, laugh, and sometimes scratch your head in wonder.
What You'll Find on StumpedRiddles YouTube Channel
On StumpedRiddles YouTube, you'll dive into a world of riddles in both long-form videos and bite-sized riddle shorts. Each riddle is unique, crafted with care, and designed to challenge your mind while bringing you a bit of joy.
The Channel Gives You:
Longer Riddles that give you time to ponder and enjoy the clues
Riddle Shorts for quick, fun challenges on the go
Party Game Potential – Ideal for gatherings, parties and game nights
Every video is linked to a corresponding page on my website, StumpedRiddles.com, where you can see the answer, if it hasn't been provided in the video, and enjoy even more puzzle book fun.
A Mindful Escape and Mental Workout
In today's fast-paced world, taking a break from the constant flow of information is important.
My channel gives you a place to do just that, offering a blend of mental exercise and distraction. Whether you're an experienced riddle-solver or just getting into the game, there's something here for everyone.
Try a Riddle - Solve This One:
Each riddle is crafted in the "what-am-I" format to be approachable but challenging and sometimes easy – no obscure words or overly complex phrasing, just a satisfying "aha" moment waiting to be discovered. The riddles provide great mental exercise, help build focus, and add a bit of fun to your day.
The Books Behind the Channel
My eight original riddle books, available on Amazon and other platforms, are also available for anyone looking to delve deeper into the riddle world.
The books explore themes and riddles you won't find anywhere else, and they're great for gifting or enjoying on your own.
From Halloween-inspired riddles to everyday mind-benders, each book offers a fresh take on traditional riddling. If you enjoy what you see on the channel, check out the books – they're a great way to take the fun off-screen and into your hands!
Join the StumpedRiddles Community
If you're ready to give your brain a fun, refreshing challenge, subscribe to StumpedRiddles on YouTube. Not only will you stay updated on the latest riddles, but you'll also be part of a community of fellow riddle enthusiasts.
Every riddle is a chance to test your wits, share with friends, or use as a clever icebreaker at your next gathering.
10 Riddles To Solve:
Head over to StumpedRiddles YouTube, hit that subscribe button, and get ready to be stumped or brag about your brainiac skills.
At the time of writing, I've added over 200 original riddles on the StumpedRiddles YouTube channel to keep you challenged and entertained. Turn the world off with a smile, and have some fun :)
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
When the leaves start falling and the weather begins to cool we all know it's time for Halloween. The decorations come out inside and out. Every year we decorate outside for Halloween. After all the kids have had fun and the candy is all gone the decorations are stored away until next year.
Reviewing our Thanksgiving Turkey
Every year when Halloween is over and the decorations are put away Fran would always say we don't have any Thanksgiving decorations for the yard. She solved that problem last year and bought this 6-foot inflatable for the yard. We now have a giant gobble of joy in our front yard to celebrate Thanksgiving.
From the moment we took it out of the box, the inflatable turkey's sheer size was inspiring and comical. He is an undeniable presence in our yard at 6 feet tall and with a goofy smile. All you have to do is secure him with the included strings and stakes.
Setting him up is as easy as pumpkin pie. Plug him in, and in a matter of seconds, you have a full-blown turkey with holiday cheer. The colors are bright and festive, with rich reds, oranges, and yellows that scream "fall". The material is thick and durable, and it is designed to handle some gusty fall winds and unpredictable autumn weather.
One more feature is he has a built-in LED light making it perfect to light up your yard at night. The soft internal glow makes it impossible to miss and ensures your holiday spirit shines even after dark.
So, should you get this inflatable turkey? Absolutely. If you want your home to be the talk of the neighborhood, if you want to make people smile as they walk by, and if you want to tell the world you're 100% ready for Thanksgiving, this is for you. We had so many people stop to admire him after we put him in the yard.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Few couples would want their wedding to be haunted by a real ghost. Even if the bride and groom didn't mind, I doubt there would be very many people who would want to attend a haunted wedding. But, leave it to Hallmark to find a way to make a haunted wedding a romantic event.
With Halloween approaching, I wanted to find a movie that fit with the season, but I had no desire to be scared witless. When I discovered Hallmark had just released "Haunted Wedding", I trusted it would be a pleasant "haunting".
The ghost was beautiful, yet threatening, but nothing was really scary about this movie. Howling wind, flickering lights, thunder, and lightening was the extent of what most could see. However, the bride and groom, who happened to be paranormal enthusiasts, could actually see and hear the ghost. They were quickly drawn into her story and set out on a quest to help her before their own wedding.
I was not the least bit disappointed in Haunted Wedding! It was a very enjoyable way to get into the "spirit" of Halloween. There will be no nightmares as a result of this movie.
Jana Atwell is a high school teacher and Brian Fuller is an antique dealer in
Philadelphia. Not exactly professions that would instantly make you think of paranormal investigators, but both embraced "spooky" and hoped they would find proof that there are real ghosts.
While ghost hunting in an abandoned sanitarium for the criminally
insane, Brian chose to ask Jana to marry him. This did not seem to be an unusual location for a proposal since the couple had met at PolterCon.
Of course, Jana accepted the proposal. It seemed only fitting that she would immediately start planning their wedding to take place at Keystone Manor, a renowned haunted hotel.
The Keystone Manor is haunted by a real ghost, Angelique DeMornay, who died of a broken heart in the 1700's. She was only 26 years old
when she died in her sleep. One of the bedrooms upstairs was her bedroom in life, and is still maintained for her. It is off limits to guests and kept as
close to the original as possible.
Angelique was engaged to Revolutionary war
hero, Lieutenant Malcolm Buchanan, who was killed
by British soldiers on his way to get married. They had planned to elope on Oct 13, which happens to be Jana & Brian's wedding date. One more thing the two couples have in common, Brian looks exactly like Malcolm.
Jana is the first person who has ever been able to hear or see the ghost of
Angelique. When Brian enters the room, he can see
Angelique too, but she believes he is Malcolm. When she is told of their plans to marry in a few days, she declares
no one is to wed in her home ever.
My favorite line in the movie was spoken by Brian when he proposed. He said: "I've spent my life seeking out lost souls and in the process, I found my
soul mate".
In spite of the ghosts, the spooky setting and the sadness associated with lives and love cut short, this was a very romantic movie with a really sweet ending. Romantics at heart will not want to miss this Hallmark movie!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”