Lots of folks out there love the vibe from an expertly decorated home during the fall season, but, many of us just aren’t that crafty. If you don’t decorate your home for Halloween anymore because you aren’t handy with the power tools, or oh, maybe because your kids are grown and gone now…hmmm. Ah! You over there, are you saying you aren’t crafty enough? Well I’m going to argue that every year that your grandkids come to trick-or-treat at your house and you don’t have any decorations up, it says that maybe you have given up on holiday fun. But, fear not! I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve yet!
Here are some very easy decorative ideas that would take you an afternoon to put together, if that. Invite the kids over to help you out! They would have a blast while you teach them how to make things of their own. Have enough stuff on hand so that they can take a little souvenir with them.
Nylon Pumpkins
Covering pumpkins with different designed nylons. This runs you the cost of the nylons and the pumpkin (whether you use a real one or a used one is up to you). You won’t have to make them again next year if you use plastic ones. If you want to paint the stem to add to the cohesiveness of it, grab a small bottle of acrylic paint at the craft store. Simply stretch the nylon over the pumpkin to make the pattern visible, cut a small hole to stretch over the stem and then tie it at the bottom where no one will see it. Stack your pumpkins of different colors and sizes and patterns of nylons for a very classy effect!
Mason Jar Lanterns
Light your walkway up with mason jar lanterns. You can frost them to soften the light or leave them clear for maximum light or lace them with spider webs for creepiness. Little pint sized jars are inexpensive to buy in the store or they can be found for even less at most thrift shops.
Mason Jar Lanterns light up your walkway on Halloween. Photo via happyroostblog.com
Pick up what you think you will need, buying them used gives you the opportunity to mix them up and buy different sizes, colors or textures of glass. Set them outside where you want them to light up the night and pop in battery operated tea lights for lighting. You are done! If you want the frosted look, slip sheets of waxed paper in them. Or put the stringy web material you buy at the store in them and place the tea light so you can get to it. For additional effect, wind some wire around the mouth to make a handle on a few of them and hang them in the trees.
Black Feather Wreaths
Black Feather Wreaths photo via sweetfunkyvintage.blogspot.com
Don’t neglect your front door. This is where everyone will congregate on Halloween night for their share of your candy stash. Making a wreath of black feathers is a wonderfully spooky addition to your house’s decor and it is very easy to make. Start with any wreath form. That means if you have an old one lying around, use it. It can be foam, straw or grapevine. The choice of covering is up to you, so make it your signature.Some people cover theirs in thick, black ribbon first to make it all black. You will need three or four feather boas from the craft store that you will carefully wind around the form very tightly so nothing shows through. Use a glue gun to occasionally tack it down and keep it in place. Snip the end, glue it as well, and you are done! If you so desire, a few inexpensive crows add to the atmosphere.
Now you have some great ways to spruce up your home that won’t break your back or your budget. There you are…a few simple decorating tips so you can avoid being the Halloween scrooge. Just don’t be that one house on the block that when the boys and girls in costume show up, never does anything but hands out the toothbrushes and toothpaste in lieu of candy, please?
Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.
