Turn back time

This weekend has two notable events – the clocks go back one hour on Sunday night, so you get an extra hour in bed – and it’s the UK’s favourite spooky event, Halloween.

No doubt there will be a flurry of activity in stores selling Halloween accessories as parents drop in for last minute pumpkins, witches hats and goody bags to keep their offspring entertained. Whilst Harrogate Christmas & Gift is mostly about the festive time of year – a number of exhibitors have some great collections of Halloween decorations and accessories too, so be sure to look out for them at the show.

If you haven’t already – don’t forget to register (it’s free to attend!).

Mildly scary

Gisela Graham doesn’t want to scare the living daylights out of you. Halloween has to be a little bit scary – but it doesn’t have to be nightmarish. So the company spares the horror and offers instead good fun: mildly ghoulish, scene-setting props for grown-up Halloween parties – a craze that’s getting ever more popular. Plus all that children (and mothers) need for kids’ Halloween parties and trick-or-treating: witches’ hats, masks, goodie bags, and all kinds of spooky accessories.

Visit Gisela Graham on Stand M14 / M16

Time to party

One of the great delights of the rapidly developing Halloween market, is the huge range of different themes. It is no longer just a night of 'nasty witches'. Boland Party has many such themes but the current theme of the moment is Day of the Dead, which got a great boost being the opening scene of last year's James Bond film.

Boland's Day of the Dead range includes decorations, disposable table-wear product and dress up. Much of this range has been designed within Boland's own Party studio.

Visit Boland on Stand C24

Superior spooks

Halloween is as much for adults as it is for children, with families across the UK dressing their homes with spooky accessories. Premier’s latest Halloween collections add a touch of class to this supernatural occasion, with quality decorations and accessories to appeal to all.

Wooden ornaments and wall plaques include battery operated pumpkins and ghosts; and a selection of colourful metal embossed accessories such as ‘Happy Halloween’ wall displays and Halloween garden stakes. There is also a selection of quality ceramic battery operated decorations with scary skulls, cheerful pumpkins and even a wise old owl.

Visit Premier Halloween in Hall H