Ghoulish fun: Map of must-see decorated Halloween houses in the Hamilton area

We all love Halloween. Well, most of us anyway.

My mom really hated Halloween but maybe because with eight kids to dress it became more of a chore. I can't imagine the effort to get everyone settled. Either way, she still instilled a great love for holiday fun in me and my siblings. My oldest sister being a stickler for the best-laid plans always had a rule that you had to pick your costume before school went back in September. I think my niece and nephew still do!

I start collecting pumpkins anywhere I can get them as soon as they start to pop up in local markets. I usually am carving somewhere around 10 to 15 gourds, trying to get the best jack-o-lantern in the neighbourhood. This year, I've noticed many more homes and neighbourhoods have joined in the fun early. What better way to celebrate fall and get your mind off this crazy virus that has us all wondering whether we should even be doing Halloween.

That's why, when I saw this interactive map carved out by Amber Rohal on the website Active Parents, my heart skipped a beat.

Halloween houses decked out in their creepy decorations are my favourite part of the season and we have a list of local must-see homes that went all out this year!" Rohal writes.

Click here for the map of Halloween Houses

Hamilton really does have some scare in the air. We are on the map.

Rohal has mapped addresses from Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Dundas, Aldershot, Burlington and Oakville. It's cheap, just the cost of gas, and you can safely bundle the kids in the family car and take a Halloween tour of your neighbourhood and maybe the one next door.

Pack up some Halloween treats for the ride and easily keep your social distance. If you really want to go all out, make sure everyone is dressed in their best and scariest Halloween attire - because we all started planning this Halloween back in September. May the creepiest house delight you and yours.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com