I never used to be into Halloween much, I was getting cynical and thought it had become too commercialised, but since having kids I’ve changed my outlook at this time of year. Halloween is the perfect time to get creative and decorate the home for the spooky season. Whether you’re going for a scary or silly look, there are plenty of ways to add some Halloween spirit to your space. I love preparing my home for Halloween. Last year I gave it a miss as we’d just moved to a new area and didn’t really know what the footfall was like and I was really ill at the time too, so my energy levels were next to zero so any sort of decorating wasn’t really going to happen. We just had a little mini party just the four of us and made halloween inspired food along with a couple of carved pumpkins to decorate.
This year is going to be slightly different. Whilst we probably won’t be decorating the outside of the house, it seems we just don’t get many people trick or treating where we live, we will be decorating the inside all things halloween. Think plenty of handmade pumpkins and spooky things! I have two huge boxes in the loft full of Halloween decorations that I need to get down and have rummage through ready for the end of the month.
If you’re like me and like to go all out for Halloween then here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started on decorating your Spooky Halloween home:
Start with the basics
No Halloween decorating scheme is complete without a few basics, like pumpkins, spider webs, and skeletons. You can find these decorations at most stores, or you can make your own for a more personal touch. We’ve already been knitting and sewing (or hot glueing!) own pumpkins for the house decor which was a hot sticky mess, much like me most days!
Get creative with your pumpkins
Pumpkins are a Halloween must-have, but there’s no need to stick to the traditional carved pumpkin. You can paint your pumpkins, decorate them with stickers or glitter, or even turn them into other creatures, like spiders or bats. Use your imagination, it’s Halloween you can’t go wrong.
Don’t forget the outdoor decorations
Your outdoor decorations are the first thing trick-or-treaters will see, so make sure they’re good and spooky! You can hang spider webs from your trees, put up a skeleton on your porch, or even create a haunted graveyard in your front garden.
Please be aware that using the fine webbing outside is pretty much giving a death sentence to birds and sometimes bats. They can get themselves caught in it. My advice? If you are going to use webbing for decorating, then do it on the day and take it back down that evening. This way it minimises the risk to our decreasing numbers of garden birds. It’ll be a fab surprise for visitors on their trick or treating travels as they won’t have seen it before.
Add some Halloween lighting
Halloween lighting can really set the mood for your party or gathering. You can use string lights, lanterns, or even candles to create a spooky glow. If you have one use your outdoor projector to add a spooky backdrop to your home. I’ve seen some brilliant 3d shadow lighting on garage doors on our trick or treat travels, although these do take some skill and a little more investment, but worth it.
Don’t forget the details
The little things can make a big difference when it comes to Halloween decorating. Add some Halloween-themed throws and cushions to your sofa, hang up some Halloween curtains, or even put out some Halloween-shaped sweet dishes (with Halloween themed sweets in of course!). Decorate your dining table in a Halloween theme with a (wipeable) table cloth, ghostly place settings and blood curdling drinks – read: Wine, red of course 😆.
Have fun with it!
Halloween is a time to have fun and be creative, so don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild. The more spooky and festive your decorations are, the better!
Here are a few more tips for decorating for Halloween on a budget and having fun getting crafty with the family:
- Use what you have. You may already have some items around your house that you can use to decorate for Halloween. For example, you can use old sheets to make ghosts, or you can use cardboard boxes to make tombstones.
- Make your own decorations. There are many easy and inexpensive Halloween decorations that you can make yourself. For example, you can make your own spider webs out of yarn/wool, or you can make your own pumpkin decorations out of paper.
- Shop at charity or bargain stores. Charity shops and bargain stores are a great place to find cheap Halloween decorations. You can find everything from pumpkins and skeletons to costumes and props.
- Get creative. The sky’s the limit when it comes to Halloween decorating. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box.
With a little planning and effort, you can easily decorate your home for Halloween on a small budget. So get creative and have fun!
Take care, stay safe.
Becks xo
My life and style over 40 