Some parents are finding inventive ways to curb the craze. Erica Boilen of Morganville, New Jersey posted on Facebook that she gets the "Mom of the Year" award. Her 11-year-old son was flipping bottles while she was on the phone, and she finally looked at him and yelled, "If you don't stop I'm gonna find the clown and have him scare you."

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller