With hundreds of Pinterest projects on the Internet and just as many advertisements in craft stores, the search for the perfect Halloween decoration is often overwhelming. If you’re anything like myself, the very notion of efficiently shopping for holiday decorations raises hundreds of questions: Just how many pumpkins should you buy this season? Are mummies a must this year? Do people still do witches’ feet? Are scarecrows in or out? Are you really going to find a use for nine gallons of fake blood? How old is too old for cotton cobwebs?
Don’t get spooked by the demand for décor; just sit tight on your broomsticks and leave the shopping list to us, darlings. With just a few simple materials, pumpkin spice up your home and get in the Halloween spirit without ghosting on your budget.
Black spray paint
A little black spray paint goes a long way; just a coat or two on just about anything can make even the simplest additions to your home a little bit spookier.
Pumpkins
Leave as is or add a little shimmer by glittering the pumpkin stem in gold paint or writing on the painted surface in metallic markers.
Wreaths
For a simple black accent above your mantle or on your front door, pick up a wicker wreath at the dollar store, spray paint, and hang. If you want to work with something fancier, partially cover a floral wreath (roses look best) in paint and let dry while hanging so as to encourage creepy paint driblets.
Candles
Wine bottle candle stick holders
I told you decorating was stressful, didn’t I? Treat yourself to a bottle (or two) of wine and save the empty bottle to create the perfect candlestick holders.
Witches’ stockings
Remember that black spray paint we used earlier? After separating white candle sticks into segments with tape, spray the exposed area, let dry, and remove tape to create candles reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Trash bags
You’re probably familiar with the old trash-bags-of-leaves-as-pumpkins-or-ghosts trick, but treat yourself to some more creative (and no more time-consuming) decorations with the same trash bags you have under your sink year round.
Spider webs
Lay trash bag out flat and trim off the sides and bottom so you’re left with two big rectangles of plastic. Cut each piece into an approximate square and fold one of the squares in half diagonally to form a triangle. Fold that triangle in half two more times (use a few pieces of tape to fasten the layers together on the loose side). Cut shapes into any side of the triangle without severing the triangle into more than one piece. Unfold and hang.
Creepy streamers
As in the previous craft, separate your trash bag into two rectangles. Shred both rectangles into streamers by pulling your scissors through the material instead of slicing neatly. Hang at various lengths from your doorways or window panes.
Candy
It’s time for a little color in your spooky abode and what better place to look for color than in your favorite Halloween cravings? Buy a couple bags of candy for these crafts and make sure to add another to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Candy corn in glass vases or jars
Far from corny, this neat trick can brighten any mantle, dining room or coffee table. For an added zest, bury a candle in the candy and light at night.
Pumpkin lollipop-holder
Follow the natural ridges on a medium to large pumpkin and hammer nails about an inch into the pumpkin, roughly an inch apart. Remove nails each time a hole is made and fit the lollipop stick into the hole.
Happy hauntings!
Particularly proud of your decorations this year? Send us a picture by tweeting @LitDarling!
