SAN ANTONIO — When we think of the most memorable Halloween decorations, we may think big, flashy or spooky. One home on the north side is putting a twist on unforgettable.
They surprise neighbors with new decorations every morning.
"It definitely brings a smile to our face," said Steven Dinote, owner of what's become the Skeleton House of San Antonio.
The Skeleton House of San Antonio is located in the Promontory Pointe neighborhood in Stone Oak.
"People were walking by going, 'Oh, thank you! We're changing our routes for the walks and the drives!'" said Dinote.
Every morning in October, neighbors know they're in for a surprise when they drive down Promontory Circle. The skeletons will always be up to something new.
"Obviously our sense of humor is a little warped," said Dinote, gesturing to his Monty Python decorations for that day. "We went ahead and got the fence and the shrubbery...We got the coconuts."
From Monty Python, to Mario Kart, to A Christmas Story, to Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball, the Dinote family has a running list of their ideas. (See gallery of their 2023 daily Halloween scenes below)
"When we see something that's funny or see something that gives us that spark, we just put it down on our phone," said Dinote.
"I had an idea to do absolutely just pure chaos," said Dinote's son, Ant. "Some of my friends, they said we should do a Michael Jackson moonwalking."
All ideas are written on a whiteboard. Red stars are next to the ideas that worked for this Halloween season, and other ideas are left to ponder.
"We did a martial arts scene. A minivan pulls up and a couple of kids come running out, the mother's taking pictures and the little girls are just sitting there going hi-ya! ya! ya!" said Dinote, laughing.
This whole idea started as a joke in October 2020 when Dinote began placing skeletons in funny positions inside the home.
Then, he took the idea outside.
"I put [the skeleton] on the lawnmower. My wife walked out and said, 'Oh, that's funny!'" he recalled.
In mid-October, their skeletons doing yardwork theme received favorable feedback from the neighborhood.
"I see it every day on my way to school, so it makes my day!" said one neighbor.
"They are so kind and so sweet. This is all for our enjoyment," said another.
The Dinotes use supplies they already have at home to execute each Halloween idea.
"Except for the coconuts," Dinote pointed out. "We had to buy those."
The Dinote family is open to ideas from neighbors, too.
"I said, 'Hey, if y'all want to do something chef-inspired, I've got coats!" said a local chef who lives down the street. "They ran with it!"
The Skeleton House of San Antonio has thousands of fans on their Facebook page where they share pictures of their daily display.
Although the decorations are changed every day, one particular day in October will always have the same decorations: Halloween.
October 31, the skeletons will join the neighborhood kids dressed up for trick-or-treating.
"Seeing them smile brings me so much joy. I wouldn't trade that for anything," said Dinote's daughter, Arianna.
"How long do you hope you're gonna keep doing this?" we asked Arianna.
"At least 'til I die, maybe," she replied. "I'll carry on the tradition."
Skeleton House of San Antonio
*Photos 33, 78, 82, 92, 102 and 128 in the gallery above, as well as Mario Kart footage in the on-air report courtesy: Neighbor, Oscar Carrero