In New York City, the social contract works a little something like this: If you're wealthy enough to own a townhouse, you owe it to plebeian passersby to cover said expensive home with elaborate, creative Halloween decorations come the month of October. It's as simple as that.

This year, the holiday spirit is alive and well from the Upper East Side to the West Village. Who said all the rich people left New York?! I mean, unless they did and just had their staff put up decorations anyway... but still, that'd be nice of them, right?

Click through for some of the spookiest, chicest, cobwebbiest homes of the season!

[Photo via @212sid]