Woman’s ‘excessive’ Halloween display ‘slows down traffic’ (Exclusive)

As Halloween approaches, most families are scrambling to put up last-minute spooky decorations, but not 56-year-old influencer Jennifer Horton.

Horton is always ahead of the decorating game. After weeks of hard work, her Dallas home is transformed into an amazing Halloween scene by early September each year.

“I love Halloween. To me, Halloween is one of the most magical times of the year,” Horton exclusively tells PEOPLE. “I love creating whimsical and flashy displays that make people feel like they’re stepping into a story.”

To do so, her front porch and corner lot serve as a grand introduction to that year’s Halloween theme, offering a miniature glimpse of the story that continues inside her home.

This year, Horton has put a fun, family-friendly twist on Halloween, combining classic characters with quirky sidekicks like skeletons and their snakes to create a playful and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes kids, pets, and neighbors alike.

“Every season we come up with a completely new theme, which is part of what keeps this season so exciting,” she explains. “Sometimes ideas come to me while shopping or brainstorming, and sometimes they literally come to me in my dreams.”

Horton says she often skips the scary stuff in favor of whimsy and charm, making sure each exhibit is a magical adventure that entertains everyone who experiences it.

Over the years, Horton’s Decor has become a neighborhood legend. “People drive by just to see it, and sometimes it even slows down traffic,” she says.

But while passersby enjoy her home’s impressive exterior decoration, it’s the inside that really wows friends and family.

Unlike most people who focus solely on curb appeal, Horton spends a lot of time making interiors feel “intentional and magical.”

“The inside part definitely takes the most time,” she reveals. “I love changing the entryway because it’s the first impression you make when you walk in, and the family room is where you spend the most time as a family.”

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Horton loves reusing decorations and finding creative new ways to bring old things to life. A combination of repurposed decor and some new investments keeps the displays fresh without wasting money.

“I’m a big believer in post-holiday sales,” she says. “It’s fun to buy things when they’re 80% off, but remember, if you only buy the items you love, you’ll always find the best place for them.”

Her decorations are often sourced from Amazon, Michaels, HomeGoods, Holiday Warehouse, and thrift stores. For oversized statement pieces, work with local artists and builders to bring your vision to life.

“It’s always a combination of rethinking what I already have and adding special new touches,” she says. “It’s not just about buying things, it’s about creating something magical and unique every year.”

When it comes time to decorate, Horton’s eldest son and his wife always participate during installation week. This has become a particularly meaningful tradition for the family.

Now her granddaughters are also involved, and their small contributions remain intact, adding personal and heartfelt additions to the decor.

“I just leave it exactly as they set it up, even if what they set it up looks completely out of place,” she admits.

“For me, it’s much more important than having a perfect exterior. Decorating is always about not only making a home beautiful, but also about making memories together as a family.”

Decorating on this scale requires a lot of time and money, but Horton loves every moment of it.

For her, it’s about creating immersive atmospheres and experiences full of joy, creativity, and family togetherness. This process is only as meaningful as the final display.

“Honestly, I give my all to every holiday. Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, even the Fourth of July, I see each holiday as an opportunity to spread joy and bring families and communities together,” Horton tells PEOPLE.

“Halloween just happens to be the beginning of the entire season of celebration, so it sets the tone for the festivities for the rest of the year.”