Lowe’s Halloween department filled with large animated figures, pumpkins, skeletons and Disney characters.

Fall shopping looks completely different at Lowe’s and TJ Maxx. Lowe’s goes big with animated Halloween figures, outdoor decorations and oversized characters. TJ Maxx and HomeGoods focus more on smaller items for the kitchen, dining room and living room.

I visited both to see what was available, how the prices compared and which store I would shop first. My short answer: I would start at TJ Maxx for affordable indoor décor, then visit Lowe’s if I needed one large decoration to anchor an outdoor Halloween display.

Prices and availability can vary by location and may change quickly.

What I Found at Lowe’s

The first thing I noticed at Lowe’s was the size of the seasonal department. It was not limited to a few shelves of pumpkins. The store had a dedicated Halloween display with animated characters, skeletons, witches, lighted pumpkins, inflatables and licensed Disney decorations.

Lowe’s is the stronger stop for large Halloween animatronics, outdoor figures and statement decorations.

Lowe’s is the more practical stop when shopping for a front yard, porch or large party display. Its current online Halloween department includes animatronics, blow molds, lighted figures, hanging decorations and inflatables. Lowe’s notes that prices and availability depend on the selected store, so it is worth setting your local location online before making the drive. See the current Lowe’s Halloween collection.

Expect Higher Prices for the Large Decorations

Several props in the photographed Lowe’s display carried $129 price tags, including character-style figures around the main presentation. That is considerably more than most of the tabletop décor I found at TJ Maxx, but these are also larger pieces with more visual impact.

Lowe’s Halloween department features large animatronics, character inflatables, lighted skeletons and pumpkin decorations.

The main display included pumpkin-headed characters, witches, skeletons, tombstones and animated pieces. Some decorations appeared designed for covered outdoor spaces, while others would work better indoors. Before buying, I would check the product label for outdoor-use instructions, power requirements, sound controls and the amount of storage space needed after Halloween.

Lowe’s also offers a 5% discount on eligible purchases paid for with a MyLowe’s Rewards Credit Card. The offer has exclusions and generally cannot be combined with other promotions or special financing, so I would compare the available options before selecting it. Full terms are available through the Lowe’s Credit Center.

TJ Maxx and HomeGoods Had More Variety Under $20

TJ Maxx offers fall tableware, pumpkin accents and Halloween kitchen décor in one seasonal department.

TJ Maxx and HomeGoods had the broader selection of smaller fall and Halloween accessories. I found pumpkin mugs, seasonal bowls, plates, serving pieces, cookie jars and tabletop decorations mixed into the regular home department.

This is where I would shop first if I wanted to update a kitchen or dining area without buying one expensive statement piece.

Ghosts, skeletons and black-and-white accessories make it easy to add Halloween details to the kitchen.

Some items leaned heavily into Halloween, with ghosts, bats, skeletons and black-and-white patterns. Others used warmer pumpkin colors and could remain on display through Thanksgiving.

Neutral baskets and wooden kitchen tools can remain useful long after the fall season ends.

I also found woven baskets, serving utensils and kitchen organizers that were not specifically labeled for fall. Neutral baskets are useful because they can hold blankets, firewood, pet supplies or seasonal decorations without needing to be packed away in November.

Oversized ceramic cups can hold candy, packaged snacks, artificial flowers or small household items.

Oversized ceramic cups and planters were another option for an easy fall update. These could be used for wrapped candy, packaged snacks, artificial flowers or small household items instead of serving only as decoration.

TJ Maxx Promotions:

• • Halloween Markdowns up to 50% Less 
  • Get Free Shipping on $89+

A Few Prices I Could Read in the Store

Ceramic ghosts were available in several sizes and styles, including designs with textured witch hats.

The shelves were densely packed, so checking individual tags was important. Among the readable prices in the photos:

• A colorful cake-shaped Halloween decoration was marked $16.99;

• A white owl figure wearing a witch hat was marked $14.99;

• A vampire mouse decoration was marked $12.99.

These prices were observed at the time of the store visit and should not be treated as chainwide pricing.

TJ Maxx shelves were filled with owls, skulls, bats, haunted houses and colorful Halloween characters.

At roughly $13 to $17 per piece, TJ Maxx made it easier to build a small display gradually. I could choose one ghost, owl or pumpkin instead of committing to a $100-plus animatronic.

TJ Maxx was also promoting Halloween markdowns at up to 50% less online at the time of writing. Its website offered free shipping on orders of $89 or more with code SHIP89. Inventory and promotional terms can change, so check the current TJ Maxx Halloween section before ordering.

Ghosts, Cats and Haunted Houses Were Everywhere

Black decorative trees and cats wearing witch hats can create a darker Halloween display.

The strongest TJ Maxx trend was playful rather than frightening. I found ceramic ghosts, cats wearing witch hats, woven black trees, haunted houses and brightly colored pumpkin characters.

Colorful skulls, skeleton figures and floral drinkware bring more detail to a Día de los Muertos-inspired display.

The selection also included Día de los Muertos-inspired figures, decorated skulls, candles and drinkware. These pieces were more colorful and detailed than the standard orange-and-black decorations found elsewhere in the department.

Pumpkin scarecrows, vampire mice and metallic skulls offer several ways to decorate a shelf or entry table.

Pumpkin scarecrows, vampire mice and silver skulls worked well for shelves or entry tables. The vampire mouse visible in this display was marked $12.99, making it one of the more affordable character decorations I found.

TJ Maxx carried ceramic ghost families, ghost dogs, skeleton figures and haunted-house decorations.

There were several versions of ceramic ghosts, including ghost families, ghost dogs and figures decorated with bows or flower crowns. Because TJ Maxx and HomeGoods inventory changes frequently, I would not wait for a specific design to be restocked.

Which Store Would I Visit First?

I would shop TJ Maxx or HomeGoods first for:

• Tabletop decorations under approximately $20;

• Seasonal mugs, bowls and serving pieces;

• Ceramic ghosts and pumpkin figures;

• Baskets, throws and small home updates;

• Items that can work beyond Halloween.

I would visit Lowe’s first for:

• Large animated Halloween figures;

• Outdoor or porch decorations;

• Lighted pumpkins and skeletons;

• Inflatables and licensed characters;

• One statement piece for a larger display.

The two stores are not direct substitutes. TJ Maxx is better for filling shelves and tables, while Lowe’s is better for creating a display that can be seen from the street.

Orange County Store Options

For shoppers in Orange County, two confirmed local options are:

• Lowe’s Tustin: 2500 Park Avenue, Tustin, CA 92782.

• TJ Maxx/HomeGoods Costa Mesa: Harbor Center, 2300 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Phone: 949-574-9058.

These are useful local options, but shoppers should confirm inventory before driving because seasonal products vary by store.

My Final Shopping Tip

My best advice is to shop TJ Maxx early for specific designs and wait for a clearly marked sale only if I am flexible about what remains. At Lowe’s, I would compare the shelf price with the selected-store price online and check whether a promotion applies before buying a large decoration.

A full TJ Maxx and HomeGoods cart shows how quickly small home and seasonal finds can add up.

For a modest indoor fall refresh, TJ Maxx would be my first stop. For an outdoor Halloween display or a large animated figure, Lowe’s would be the better choice.