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The Halloween tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people used to light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. So I guess nothing says 'Happy Halloween!' like something that scares you to death and makes you forget the world is celebrating in the first place.

Bored Panda decided to pay tribute to those who go above and beyond to create the right atmosphere for this spooky occasion. Whether it's an extremely gory massacre scene or a subtle, half-buried body bag, these Halloween displays were so next-level, some people thought there actually was something wrong and called the police to investigate. Continue scrolling and enjoy!

#1

When You Go "Too Far" With The Halloween Decorations

Man takes selfie with Halloween decoration resembling a buried body while two police officers stand nearby outdoors.

Capinron Report

Texas resident Steven Novak is one of the people who went all out for Halloween this year. In his yard, one dummy lies with his head pulverized, one lies with a scale where his or her head used to be, and a few more lie in bloodied trash bags fallen off a wheelbarrow. All the while, in the window of the house, a zombie horde attempts to break out.

"I'm most proud of the wheelbarrow tipped over by the street full of Hefty bags, looking like a failed attempt to dispose of the dismembered bodies in the middle of the night," Novak told Dallas Observer. "A kid walked by and asked me what happened to them; I said they ate too many Skittles."

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    #2

    Life-Size Michael Myers House

    Haunted house Halloween decoration with scary figure on the roof and police caution tape around the yard.

    Alex Sanchez Report

    Shelp
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How much are some people ready to spend just for one day in the year?!

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    Novak's decorations have brought the police to his house multiple times. "Neighbors told me cop cars were in front of my house a lot during the day," he explained. "I was only home twice to receive them. They told met hey thought it was cool and that they were only there because they were required to reply to complaints from the sergeant."

    "They were in formation at the door and when I opened it they asked me if it was all mine. I asked, 'You mean the blood and the bodies? Yeah, that’s me.'"

    "Honestly, though, I think I could’ve used more. [My plans] were way worse on paper. Next year though!"

    #3

    Now That Is How You Do Halloween Right. This Guy Got The Cops Called On Him Several Times In Dallas

    Halloween decorations with fake blood, body bags, and fake dead bodies overdone on a residential lawn and porch.

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    Shelp
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, this is really awful

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    Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1.

    This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead got blurred.

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    In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Celtic priests to predict the future. Considering the Celts were entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies must've been really comforting in the face of a long, dark winter.

    #4

    Woke Up This Morning To 6 Cops, A Fire Truck, And An Ambulance At My Door Because A Passing Car Was Concerned About The One Halloween Decoration I Neglected To Take Down

    Halloween decoration on front porch resembling a body wrapped in black plastic, likely causing concern and police calls.

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    mysty
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i want to commend you for that detail around the limbs

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    To commemorate the event, the priests built huge sacred bonfires, where everyone would gather to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically made of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes.

    Who knows, Maybe Novak has some Celtic blood? Either way, his display sure looks like a modern version of the old celebration.

    #5

    Fake Fire Got People Calling 911

    Halloween decorations with intense red lighting and smoke effects outside a house, attracting attention and concern.

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    Tiari
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is really cool and a bit different from all the dead bodies...

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    #6

    Deadly Halloween Tableau Too Realistic For Some. Neighbours Called 911

    Man posing with Halloween decorations of fake dead bodies and caution tape outside a house overdoing Halloween decorations.

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    #7

    Neighbors Subtle Halloween Decor

    Yard with Halloween decorations wrapped in black plastic, resembling bodies, likely causing concern and police calls.

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    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    even better their house looks quite plain and isolated

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    #8

    Terrifying And Realistic Halloween Decorations

    Halloween decorations with realistic hanging dolls staged in a front yard, showing overdone spooky decor.

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd be pissed if I had small kids and that was my neighbor.

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    #9

    Fake Car Crash

    Halloween decorations overdone with a fake bloodied car scene and police tape, causing neighbors to call the cops.

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe people need to just put a sign out next to some of these saying "Happy Halloween" so people know what to think.

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    #10

    Crime Scene

    Halloween decorations set up like a crime scene with fake bodies and police tape, showing overdone Halloween decorations.

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    Fan-tastic panda
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't be shy, make the photo less visible.

    Toodles ️
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol they where probably passing by in a car

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    Stephanie Anne
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did they take the picture with a toaster?

    Billy the kid
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    no. the person who took the picture thought it was real and shaking like fk!

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    Sam T Godfrey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't know you could get police tape like that, just 'warning tape' or similar.

    Deal _Anneal
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This picture was defo taken by nokia brake

    Magpie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty sure there would be some law against using crime scene tape.

    Allison Woodfill
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The crime scene tape and the covered bodies yep

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    #12

    Dead Body Hanging From Roof

    Hanging Halloween decoration wrapped in black plastic and rope, resembling a disturbing figure between two houses.

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    #13

    Body Bags Hanging From A Tree

    Halloween decorations overdone with black bag figures hanging from a tree in a suburban neighborhood lawn.

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    Red
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Idk man this tree kinda sus..

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    #14

    Suspended Dead Man

    Halloween decorations with hanging severed arm, ghost pillows, and tombstones on a residential lawn during fall season.

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    Lord Mysticlaw
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least this one makes it clear that it's Halloween decorations

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    #15

    Creepy Clown Hanging The Whole Family

    Halloween decorations with hanging dolls in front yard, showing overdone spooky scene that could alarm neighbors and police.

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    #16

    When Halloween Decorations Go Too Far

    Halloween decorations showing three hanging mannequins in a yard, illustrating overdone decorations that could alarm neighbors.

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this person actually needs professional help.

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