Is Jack Skellington Now Halloween’s Official Mascot?

Halloween is suddenly everywhere you look!

From the grocery store to our kids' schools the decorations are out in full force. Of course we have the usual suspects like ghosts, vampires, pumpkins and spiderwebs.. but have you noticed Halloween's unelected new main character?

JACK SKELLINGTON, THE PUMPKIN KING 

His name is Jack Skellington- the main character in the 1993 movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the movie, Jack is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. He finds a portal to Christmas Town and eventually takes his shot at being Santa Claus. It does not go great.

It seems that life is imitating art in this case, as Jack Skellington seems to be Halloween's Santa Claus here in the 'real world.'

NO SHORTAGE OF JACK PRODUCTS 

His likeness can be found in the obvious places like costumes, yard decorations and t-shirts, but his influence stretches much further than that.

Apparently Jack's handlers don't turn down many opportunities for a buck. So far this season I have seen a Jack Skellington waffle maker (Target), bluetooth speakers (Five Below) and even a $200 Lego set featuring the 'Pumpkin King.'

The most bizarre entry to the Jack Skeleton catalog (at least so far, via Kohls):

Dave Overlund, TSM

This set of Nightmare Before Christmas Scrub Daddies. EVEN OUR SPONGES NEED JACK.

MY KID IS OBSESSED 

Perhaps I am a bit frazzled. You see, I am the parent of a Jack Skellington-obsessed toddler. Neither my wife nor I had ever seen the movie or showed it to him, he saw a toy Jack at a store one day and suddenly it became his whole personality.

This isn't like when I was obsessed with Fievel from An American Tail at the same age. In that case, my parents bought me ONE stuffed animal and the three of us agreed that was the end of it. There would be no keychains, there would be no giant animatronic Fievels or inflatable decorations. I got the stuffed animal and we were all happy. Besides, really the only place you were going to find that character was maybe Toys R Us.

But that isn't the world we live in now! Go to Coborns? Jack Skellington toys there. Kohls? All over the place. Target? Oh yeah you bet they have it at Target.

I'm guessing at this point they even sell Jack Skellington merchandise at seedy drug dens.

I have no problem telling my kid no, but how many times should I have to say no in a day? Is anyplace safe from Jack Skellington anymore?

WRITE TO JACK SKELLINGTON

In continuing his ascent into Santadom this season, kids (and adults I suppose) can write letters to Jack Skellington this fall. Tulare, California Parks and Recreation is handling Jack's mail this Halloween and will have him respond to letters sent by October 16th.

Those who mail Jack a letter are asked to include a self addressed, stamped envelope.