Raise your hand if you’ve ever impulse-bought a giant plastic skeleton in July and then spent the rest of the year haunted by buyer’s remorse 😬.
Same. Especially now that Lowe’s has unleashed its ‘Summerween’ haul before most of us have even considered swapping iced coffees for pumpkin spice. If you missed it, Gizmodo just reported that Disney’s iconic Haunted Mansion collection is already possess—err, blessing—the aisles and our Instagram feeds. On the surface, this early drop is every Halloween-lover’s dream. But there’s a catch lurking in those animatronic shadows.
The Early Halloween Shopping Curse
Let’s be real: Halloween isn’t a day anymore, it’s a season—one that apparently starts pre-Independence Day. Retailers like Lowe’s and Disney know our weak spots, bringing out those irresistible lawn monsters and haunted candelabras months before autumn arrives. The result? A whole lot of “add to cart” click-frenzy that feels festive in the moment… until reality sets in.
But here’s the question: Are you actually buying items you’ll love, or just getting swept away by the hype? How many times have you come home with a cryptkeeper that clashes with your front porch, or an animatronic bat that your actual dog can’t stand?
The FOMO Is Real—But So Is the Regret
This isn’t just about Halloween. It’s about every “must-have” trend that lands on our screens before we’ve even finished last season’s leftovers. Retailers count on our FOMO. We scroll, we imagine, we convince ourselves that this 8-foot ghost will finally make our house “the fun one on the block.”
But here’s the honest truth: Online shopping can be deceiving. What looks Insta-perfect in product photos sometimes turns into a décor disaster in real life.
- Colors don’t match your vibe.
- Sizes feel off in your actual space.
- Some décor just… doesn’t click with your style.
And with so much shopping shifting earlier—and more online—those mistakes are getting costlier. (Have you tried returning a 6-foot animatronic reaper after October?)
Can AR Save Us from the ‘Haunted Cart’ Dilemma?
Enter the magic of augmented reality (AR) shopping tools. Imagine if you could actually see that Haunted Mansion lamp on your entryway table—or even pose in costume gear—before you buy, all from your laptop or phone.
Well, that future is already here. Tech companies like XP9’s eXPeriential Preview 9 are making it possible for anyone (yes, even the least techy among us!) to insert our own photos right into Amazon product listings. Their Chrome extension lets you visualize how you, your space, or even your pets will look with the product, all before you click “buy now.”
- Want to know if that purple skeleton fits your aesthetic? Drop it into your living room photo and see!
- Not sure if the kids will love or loathe those glow-in-the-dark ghosts? Preview them with a family selfie.
- Wondering if that new costume will actually suit you—or become another closet regret? Try it virtually, no awkward fitting rooms required.
Why This Kind of Tech Is More Important Than Ever
The Gizmodo article made me laugh (and cringe) at just how fast shopping seasons are creeping up. But it also got me thinking: Why are we still shopping like it’s 2015?
With tools like XP9’s Chrome extension, we don’t have to trust a retailer’s bright studio shots or spend hours hunting for return policies hidden behind tiny links. We can bring products into our world—before the purchase is permanent. In a year where AI and AR are everywhere, shouldn’t we be using them to save our wallets and our sanity?
How to Make Smarter (and More Fun!) Spooky Season Buys
Here’s my new Halloween (and year-round) shopping ritual:
- Pause Before You Purchase: When the Summerween FOMO hits, take a breath. Do you really love that animatronic, or is it just the hype talking?
- Preview in Real Life: Use AR tools like XP9’s Chrome extension to visualize the product in your actual space. Get creative—add family, friends, pets, whatever makes it yours.
- Ask Yourself: Will I Love This in November? If the answer’s “no” (or “hmm, maybe not…”), your future self will thank you.
These steps sound deceptively simple, but trust me—they’ve saved me from more cringe-worthy purchases than I can count. Plus, showing your friends how that giant haunted tea set looks on your own kitchen table is half the fun.
Final Thoughts
As much as I adore the thrill of early Halloween shopping, I’m finally ready to admit: I don’t need another graveyard in my living room. What I do need is to feel confident—and a little spooked in a good way—about every item I bring home.
If you want your Halloween (and your wallet!) to feel less trick and more treat, give these new AR tools a shot. The next time you see a “must-have” haunted décor drop, you’ll know if it’s right for you… before it’s haunting your returns pile.
Are you planning to try out AR shopping this year? What’s the creepiest (or coolest) impulse buy you’ve ever made? Drop your best—and worst—stories in the comments below!
