You guys, how did it get to be October already? How is almost Halloween, for crying out loud?

Well, at least if we have to say goodbye to summer, it’s while ushering in such a beautiful time of year. I love fall, and I especially love Halloween. Skulls! Monsters! Pumpkins! And most importantly: fun-sized candy bars, all the better for cramming in my mouth by the fistful.

We’ve got a few archived Halloween posts you might be interested in: Kristen’s baby costumes and Amazon gift certificate giveaway (hurry and leave a comment, the contest ends on Friday, Oct 3, at 12 PM PST), and from last year, some craft ideas and general Halloween product picks.

Today I’m featuring some fantastic Etsy alternatives to that boring pumpkin-shaped plastic Halloween treat bucket, so you can add just the perfect little unique touch to your kid’s costume this year. Or, you know, just hang these bags around the house as decorations, because they’re just that awesome. Check them out:

Pirate bag! I just might have to get this for Riley, as he’s planning on dressing like a pirate this year.

Supercute fabric bag with jack-o-lanterns and bats.

Zombie-themed tote bag, so you can carry a LOT of candy. Er, I mean “your kid” can.

Sweet quilted bag with a front pocket for easy-access candy, or maybe a little flashlight.

Knitted candy corn wrislet bag! LOVE.

I don’t know what I like more, this awesome haunted house bag or the pets-in-costume one. You could always get both, and use one as a candy dispenser, and one as a candy-putter-inner.

Oooh, Misfits skull bag! To heck with Halloween, this would make an awesome purse.