Is Halloween one of your favorite times of the year?
I’ll be honest, I could completely skip over it and it won’t hurt my feelings one bit. However, my kids, on the other hand, would be so disappointed. They love to dress up and to get lots of candy.
So I keep the spirits high around the house and decorate anyway. Do you ever struggle with Halloween decorations?
Well, you won’t after this post. I’m bringing you the internet’s best options for DIY Halloween decorations. And without further delay, here they are:
1. Fanta Jack O’Lantern Float
If you are throwing your kids a Halloween party, you have to have festive food decorations as well. Who am I kidding? Food is what drives me around Halloween.
If you are the same way, then you’ll love this creative idea of creating a seasonal float. The cups are made to look like pumpkins, and the color of the Fanta finishes the look off. It is really a great (and delicious) idea.
Take a look at this Halloween decor2. Bloody Chocolate Apples
I’m sorry guys. You know I have to lead out with food because after all, I am a foodie. It is what always catches my attention first. Just like these delicious looking chocolate apples.
However, they have that added Halloween touch because of the fake blood that appears to be oozing off of them. I don’t care how bloody they are, they look scrumptious to me.
Take a look at this Halloween decor3. The Spooky Halloween Hand
I thought this would be something fun to either pass out to co-workers or take to a child’s classroom party.
Basically, you fill up a plastic glove with popcorn. The candy corn that you placed in the finger slots looks like a fingernail. You can even add a crafty little spider ring to give it a scary touch.
Take a look at this Halloween decor4. Mummy Juice Boxes
This is another really cute idea to use for a child’s classroom party. You just wrap the juice boxes in white tape.
Then you add dollar store googly eyes to make them look like little mummies. It is a great way to add a ‘cute factor’ to an otherwise pretty scary holiday.
Take a look at this Halloween decor5. Pumpkin Planter for Halloween Decorations
This planter had me in mind when it was created. This is my favorite part about Halloween. I love all of the pumpkins and the neat ways they can be transformed.
This planter is really one of those inexpensive candy buckets. It is then painted and has a plant put inside. It looks really gorgeous and appears to be very budget-friendly too.
Take a look at this Halloween decor6. DIY Witch’s Hat Door Hanging
Who says that your door décor can’t be scary and colorful at the same time? I love this idea because it does add a pop of color to your front door.
Still, at the same time, it adds a little scare factor too. Not only do you have a witch’s hat hanging on your door, but don’t miss the fat rat hanging out in there too.
Take a look at this Halloween decor7. Candy Corn Centerpiece
This centerpiece is a really easy, creative, and inexpensive idea to decorate your home for Halloween. All you need is a couple of tea light holders and tea lights.
Then you fill the tea light holder halfway with candy corn. Next, place the tea light in the holder. Finally, you finish it out by filling in the rest of the space with candy corn.
Take a look at this Halloween decor8. Yard Monsters
I love this idea! It is inexpensive and easy to create, but it also has that ‘boo’ surprise without being over the top scary.
If you’d like to decorate your yard but don’t really want to take the ‘blood and guts’ option, then this might be a good idea for you.
Take a look at this Halloween decor9. Wood Porch Pumpkins
This is a really cute idea for decorating your front porch for Halloween but in a country chic sort of way. The site says that these pumpkins are crafted from pallet wood, which is always great in my book.
However, there is no actual tutorial for creating them. So you’ll have to have some imagination (or maybe a little help from a carpenter friend) to create these on your own.
Take a look at this Halloween decor10. Stump Pumpkins
I think this is a really cute and very creative idea. If you have some old stumps hanging around your property, put them to work this Halloween season.
All you have to do is paint the stumps to look like unique pumpkins. Even if you aren’t super crafty, you could still use stencils to help you along with this idea.
Take a look at this Halloween decor11. Floating Witch’s Hat Luminaries
I think this is a great Halloween decoration. It really speaks to the season but also is something that could be used in multiple places to decorate.
Whether you are decorating a front porch or a classroom for a party, you should definitely check out this neat decoration.
Take a look at this Halloween decor12. Dried Apple Shrunken Heads
For those of you that like the creepy Halloween stuff, then this one might be something that would interest you.
They dry apples to where they are still some-what circular but shriveled in appearance. Then they dress them out so they look rather creepy. Isn’t that the in-look at Halloween, though?
Take a look at this Halloween decor13. Tin Can Luminaries
This is another resourceful decoration idea for Halloween. If you have any old tin cans hanging around your home, you’ll now have a use for them.
You just need to drill holes in the can to say what you want them to say. Then paint them and place a tea light inside the can.
Take a look at this Halloween decor14. No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffle Mummies
This Halloween treat would be a huge hit in my house considering my oldest absolutely loves all things pumpkin, and my husband loves all things cheesecake.
However, what makes this even better is that the truffles are then decorated to look like little mummies. Again, this would be a great food option for a Halloween party of any age.
Take a look at this Halloween decor15. Fruit Kabob Pumpkin Hair
This is a great idea for a party treat, but it is also great because it is easy to make and healthy too. It would be a great option for a kid’s party as well because this would drop a lot of concerns about food allergies.
If you have a pumpkin, then you just need to draw a face on it. Then shove fruit kabobs into the top of it so it looks like funny hair.
Take a look at this Halloween decor16. Glow in the Dark Pumpkins
This idea is pretty simple yet really nice. You create pumpkin faces by using printable labels (which those of us that are lacking in the crafty department really appreciate!)
Then you spray the pumpkins with glow in the dark paint. When the sun goes down, your pumpkins come to life!
Take a look at this Halloween decor17. Easy Halloween Pretzels
This is a great video tutorial that shows you how to make tasty and festive Halloween pretzels, but not just in one way. They give it to you in three different ways.
So if you are elected to be the parent that brings the treats for the Halloween party, you can now show off your impressive skills. Instead of bringing plain pretzels, you can bring pumpkin, mummy, and goblin pretzels.
Take a look at this Halloween decor18. Ombre Wine Bottles
These wine bottles are pretty to look at, and they look pretty festive too. If you need a vase to hold a centerpiece for the season, then this just might do it.
They spray paint these wine bottles in a way that the paint resembles candy corn. This is inexpensive but looks great.
Take a look at this Halloween decor19. Spooky Boo Brownies
If you’d like to have a chocolatey treat to share with those around you this Halloween, then you should really consider this idea.
All you need is to make a batch of brownies (they don’t even have to be homemade) then you’ll place a marshmallow on top and drizzle some icing over the top. So delicious.
Take a look at this Halloween decor20. DIY Witch Brooms and Halloween Signs
We all like the classic witch designs that have been used to decorate Halloween for many, many years. This is why I think so many will like this idea.
They have found a way to add a rustic touch to a classic design. You can make these wooden brooms and also have accompanying wooden signs to finish off the look.
Take a look at this Halloween decor21. Poison Toffee Apples
These apples look really tasty. Not only that, they look like a gorgeous and festive addition to any Halloween party.
If you’d like to add a playful touch to a classic Halloween treat, then this could be it.
Take a look at this Halloween decor22. Spirit Jugs
Looking for a creative way to light your sidewalk this Halloween? If so, then this decoration could be exactly what you need.
You just collect milk jugs, draw faces on them, and put solar tea lights inside of them. It seems simple enough to create and budget-friendly too.
Take a look at this Halloween decor23. Pumpkin Party Cooler
Are you planning on hosting a Halloween party this year? If so, you’ll need this to hold your beverages. It is really easy to create and rather frugal too.
All you’ll need is a large pumpkin. Hollow it out so you can slide a bowl inside of it. Fill the bowl with ice, and you have a great festive cooler.
Take a look at this Halloween decor24. Tipsy Plastic Pumpkin Decoration
I’m a fan of all of the nice decorations that you see on Pinterest that are ‘tipsy.’ It is common to see people do flower pots this way.
That is why this decoration stuck out to me. I love how they were able to change the flowers to pumpkins which makes it a unique and festive design that will draw people’s eyes to your property this season.
Take a look at this Halloween decor25. DIY Halloween Candy Water Bead Vases
These vases look really nice and would pop in any home setting. They contain different color water beads that help finish out the pumpkin theme.
So if you are looking for an inexpensive and eye-catching way to decorate your home this Halloween season, then this could be a great option.
Take a look at this Halloween decor26. Mandarin Pumpkins
Do you want your kids to eat healthier this Halloween season? If so, then these Mandarin pumpkins might be the right place to start.
All you have to do is draw a pumpkin face on the actual orange itself. Then pass it off to your kids, which will hopefully think they are super cool, and they’ll eat a little healthier.
Take a look at this Halloween decor27. Chicken Wire Ghosts
Do you have an excess of chicken wire laying around? If so, then put it to good use this Halloween season.
You just need to craft it into nice looking ghosts and then spray paint it so it will stand out in your yard.
Take a look at this Halloween decor28. Tomato Cage Ghost Halloween Decorations
I really like this idea because it is inexpensive and simple to create. If you have an old tomato cage, you just turn it upside down.
Then you place Christmas lights on it and place a white fabric over the top to create the ghost look.
Take a look at this Halloween decor29. Trash Bag Spider Webs
Do you like the spider web look at Halloween? If so, then you’ll love this idea because it can be created frugally and easily.
However, you’ll need to stock up on black garbage bags, which is what these spider webs are made out of. Follow the tutorial, and you’ll be ready for Halloween in no time.
Take a look at this Halloween decor30. Spooky Welcome Mat Halloween Decorations
I’m all about welcome mats, but what I don’t like is how expensive they seem to get each year. This is why I love this idea.
Not only does it give you a great new welcome mat for the season, but it is DIY which saves you a lot of money in the process.
Take a look at this Halloween decor31. DIY Wicked Witch Legs Halloween Decorations
I love this idea because you can make it as scary or as funny-looking as you wish. Not to mention, it is kind of eye-catching when you see fake legs sticking up out of the ground.
If you’d like to make your front yard look like a graveyard with body parts sticking up, or if you’d just like some legs to stick up out of your potted plant, then this tutorial is for you.
Take a look at this Halloween decor32. DIY Ghost Tin Can Wind Sock
I love this ghost windsock because it is easy to create. Also, I love the fact that it uses items that most people already have around their house.
However, it can also be friendly looking in the daytime and a little scarier at night. So if you’d like your own windsock, then you’ll need to check out this tutorial.
Take a look at this Halloween decor33. The $1 Light Cover Halloween Decorations
This light cover is really nice because it is something that will catch those trick-or-treater’s eyes when they are walking up and down your street on Halloween night.
However, it is also really nice because it is super easy to create and it only cost $1, according to the post.
Take a look at this Halloween decor34. The Eyeball Flowers Halloween Decorations
Would you like to catch a house guest off guard around Halloween? If so, then you need to create these flowers.
You’ll just need to create a flower arrangement with fake flowers. Then glue an eyeball into the center of the flowers.
Take a look at this Halloween decor35. Feed the Flames Center Piece
This centerpiece is a really great idea and very easy to do. You’ll need a couple of hurricane globes to hold your candles.
Then place the candy corn inside the globe. Add the candle next and then more candy. Plus, the site has links to where you can purchase each item.
Take a look at this Halloween decor36. Weathered Plastic Pumpkin Totem Pole
This is another simple yet creative idea that can be made at very little cost. Most of the time, these plastic pumpkins go on sale for about $1 around Halloween.
Then put them to good use for decorating your home. This tutorial shows you how to paint and stack them to make an interesting decoration for your porch.
Take a look at this Halloween decorTips on Doing Halloween on a Budget
Here are my tips for doing Halloween on a tight budget this year:
1. Decorations…Don’t Buy Them, DIY Them
Decorating for Halloween is something people love to do. The scarier the better. Yet, we spend all kinds of money trying to make our (otherwise beautiful) homes into a place of gloom and fright.
Well, why spend a fortune to do that! Instead, create your own DIY decorations. You can make your front lawn look like a graveyard with this idea.
Or you can make your own scary cob webs using this tutorial. Don’t think that you have to go buy all of these items pre-made. In fact, you can even find great décor ideas with stuff from your local dollar store.
So don’t spend all of your money decorating for Halloween. Instead, get your creative juices flowing and have fun creating decorations yourself.
2. Pull Out the Needle and Thread
Costumes are where most of the money goes for Halloween. Believe me, I understand. When my youngest was born I spent a ridiculous amount of money on a pea pod costume so I could have the picture for his first Halloween.
Don’t get me wrong. He was the cutest little pea pod I had ever seen, but I look back at that and think, “What was I thinking?”
Now, I get more creative with my kids’ Halloween costumes. In fact, DIY is our preference.
So if you love to have unique Halloween costumes, then start thinking about what you’d like to be and how you can create it yourself.
For instance, if you have a child, this jack-in-the-box is a great DIY costume idea.
But if you’d like an adult DIY Halloween costume, consider a few of these options.
As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune buying a costume. You can make your own, save some money, and still have something totally unique.
3. Collect that Candy
When children go around on Halloween they need bags to hold all of that wonderful candy. You have multiple options to save money.
First, you can buy the little plastic pumpkins that usually go on sale for about a dollar around this time. The only problem I have with the pumpkins is they don’t hold much and when my kids go out collecting candy, they always come back with a ton.
Second, you can run to your local dollar store and buy one of those Halloween cloth bags. They usually hold a little more candy and still cost only a dollar.
Third, you can give your kids the trusty grocery bags. You can either give them the plastic kind, or your big reusable grocery bags. Granted, this isn’t themed for Halloween, but they sure will hold a lot of candy, and you already have them which means you have no added expense.
Finally, you can make your own DIY candy bags. I love these bags because they are no-sew, and they look very trendy. As you can tell, you have many options to choose from.
4. Keep the Home Fires Burning
If you are having a Halloween party at your home, a great way to save money is to make all of the Halloween themed food yourself.
Granted, this may take more time and planning, but creating the food yourself should obviously be much cheaper.
Not to mention, it is a great way to add your own personal touch to your party instead of having a cookie-cutter menu.
So if you would like to make your own food, then you should consider making these witch hat cupcakes, or use this idea to turn your donuts into monsters.
Or you could put a twist on pigs-in-a-blanket, by turning that idea into little mummies. You could also go a little healthier by making this skull shaped fruit pizza.
Again, as you can see, your options are pretty limitless with creative food ideas for your party, and it should save you quite a bit of money too.
5. Plan in Advance for Halloween on a Budget
This one is probably a no-brainer, but anytime you’d like to save money, it requires a little extra planning.
So if you know that you are going to throw a Halloween party every year, then begin to shop sales right after Halloween has passed. That is when a lot of décor and costume items will go on sale.
Also, if you know that you are going to need a ton of candy, then you should start shopping for that early as well.
Because if you start early, then you have time to shop around and find out where you can buy candy the cheapest, or you have time to actually shop the sale rotations at different stores.
Obviously, this will save you money. If nothing else set a budget on candy, and begin saving your money early on so you don’t have to get hit in the wallet all at once. These simple tips could save you a bundle if you plan properly.
Also, this is something almost anyone can do. Some of these DIY options could be difficult for some because of craftiness ability (I struggle in that department as well.)
But most of us can plan ahead, budget, and try to search for shop sales in advance, to have what we need when we need it.
6. Put Your Hands in the Candy
Have you ever considered skipping buying candy altogether? This might be a little difficult if you are passing out candy to strangers because most people want to see something prepackaged for safety purposes.
But if you are just needing candy for a Halloween party that includes friends and family, then you might want to consider making your own candy this year. There are lots of great ideas. You can make this Halloween candy bark.
Or you could make these ghost pretzels. Don’t forget about these delicious looking pretzel rods either.
So as you can tell, there are also options for making DIY candy too. They require a little extra effort but could save you a bundle in the process.
7. Grow It Yourself for a Halloween on a Budget
Along with Halloween candy and costumes, comes fun and game and more decorating. Not everyone decorates for Halloween to be scary. Some people like to decorate for fall or just have a simple jack-o-lantern.
Well, if this fits you, then you might want to consider raising your own pumpkins to decorate with. You could also raise your own mums as well to add some pretty color to your yard.
Or if you plan on making candy apples, you could consider planting an apple tree so you could actually produce your own apples to help save money.
Granted, both of these options take some investment and time, but it could save you money for years to come if you learned how to grow some of your own items.
8. Simple is Better
When planning a Halloween party, remember that simple is usually better. Don’t plan really complicated games that require plenty of supplies.
Instead, go with something fun and familiar, like bobbing for apples. You could actually do a whole apple theme. You could make these delicious candied apples, and then play bobbing for apples too. You could also use these fun alternatives, stringed apples, and stringed donuts.
Or you could pull out an old classic, like pin the tail on the donkey. Only use this great printable version for pinning the spider on the web.
Obviously, there are many ways to keep celebrating Halloween simple so keep them in mind when planning your party.
9. Skip Handing Out Candy
No, I don’t mean turn trick-or-treaters away. To me, this is the most fun part of Halloween. I love seeing all of the different costumes, and I love seeing how happy all of the kids get when you hand them candy and compliment their costume.
So I would never suggest skipping out on handing out candy just to save a buck.
But I will recommend handing out things other than candy. For instance, you can often buy small toys in bulk or these dinosaurs even, to pass out to kids. Children like toys just as much as they like candy.
Often times more because the toys last a little longer than candy. You could easily make a little goody bag with small toys, stickers, and maybe one piece of candy. This will give kids a variety and will save you some money too.
Or if you wanted to be really healthy, you could go to the dollar store and make goody bags filled with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, stickers, some fruit, or other fun items that kids need and would actually use.
So get creative this Halloween season. You will find that there are lots of ways to save money while still having a good time. Not to mention, you will still bring a smile to many children’s faces as well. To me, that is the best part of any celebration – making people happy!
Well, you now have 9 different ways to do Halloween on a budget this season. Some require some planning and creativity, but with enough forethought, you will be surprised at what you are capable of and how great it could all turn out.
Halloween Safety Tips for Your Homestead
Halloween safety tips are an important topic for homesteaders because there are additional concerns that urban families may not need to consider.
In this Halloween safety tips guide, I’m going to help you prepare your home, kiddos, and animals for the spooky holiday so you can avoid unexpected injuries.
1. Hot Halloween Safety Tips – Fire Hazards
Out of everything you’ll find on this list, fire hazards on Halloween are one of the biggest concerns amongst parents and homesteaders.
You love to DIY your Halloween, but if you aren’t careful, your décor could go up in flames. As long as you address these potential fire hazards with our Halloween safety tips, your holiday should go smoothly:
Jack-O-Lanterns
Carving pumpkins is an old pastime that has been passed down from generation to generation. Not only are sharp knives a concern during this Halloween activity, but fires from the candles within can also be an issue as well.
While the inside of a pumpkin is quite moist, a fallen pumpkin may prompt a stray candle to roll away and start a yard or house fire. Consider using battery-operated candles rather than the real deal.
Dry Decorations
Who doesn’t love the look, and smell, of dried cornstalks and hay bales on the front porch?
These trimmings aren’t just a sign that Halloween is right around the corner, they’re also representative of bountiful Fall harvests.
When installing your dried decor, be sure to place them far from electrical elements, candles, lit Jack-O-Lanterns, and bonfire pits.
Candles
The glow of an apple spiced pumpkin candle sets the mood for the Halloween holiday. However, if you have little ones or rambunctious pets nearby, close monitoring is essential to prevent accidental fires.
Essential oils and diffusers are safe, and often healthy, alternatives to candles. And you don’t have to sacrifice your favorite seasonal smells because most come from plant oils anyway!
Cooking
‘Tis the season to cook ghoulish treats and baked goods. If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, it’s time to start scraping it out.
Autumn is the time of year my oven gets a workout, so I mark my calendar for a yearly deep-clean on October 1st.
Old caked-on grease is not just unhygienic, but a poorly maintained gas stove is a potential hazard.
Excited kids running in and out of a kitchen can easily cause an accident. Ensure you are safe by having a fire extinguisher in a central location in the house.
Heaters, Fireplaces, and Bon Fires
Autumn can be a dry, cold, time of year. However, that also means it’s the perfect time to cuddle up by the fire, bonfire, or space heater.
If you have heat sources available for trick-or-treaters to warm their tootsies, be sure that children are safe from hot stoves, and dry décor is at a safe distance.
2. Walk This Way for A Safe Halloween
In preparation for trick-or-treaters, assess your walkways and roadways. Ensure that paths to your home are free from farm equipment, jagged branches, and if it’s cold where you live, make sure paths aren’t icy.
Most kids will stay on your designated walkways, but if you have farm animals nearby, you run the risk of Halloween turning into a petting zoo. So, if possible, try to keep pets and animals out of sight.
If you have a farm dog, no matter how friendly he is, this is a time to keep him in his dog kennel away from the noise, strangers, and too much excitement.
Remember, the days are shorter, and it gets dark early in Fall. You can prevent falls and stumbles by lighting your pathway with small solar lights or utilize porch lights to invite trick-or-treaters and prevent injuries from falls.
Avoid using candles to light a path due to the fire hazard they cause as well as possible burns to young children.
3. The Petting Zoo is Closed for the Season
Even if you think your dog is completely harmless, a strange smell, a crying child, or a rough child may change everything. Secure your pets to ensure they don’t injure children or other visitors during trick-or-treating.
Keep farm animals out of sight, or inside, during the festivities. Children that haven’t been exposed to farm animals may not understand that not all of them are tame like at the petting zoo, so minimize the risk of farm animal injury by keeping them tucked away for the night.
4. Out of Town
If you’ll be away during the Halloween festivities, keep some lights on inside to discourage thefts and shenanigans from the youngsters. Keep your doors locked and do your best to secure your outbuildings and animal pens.
5. An Unsafe Halloween Favorite
The beloved Halloween staple, the Glow Stick, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. A few mouthfuls of the chemicals inside can cause irritation to the throat. The liquid can also cause eye irritation but all-in-all it isn’t deadly dangerous.
With that being said, the glow stick container is a choking hazard to both children and pets. It may also contain small glass shards inside which can cause injury if opened. If you’re looking for a safe alternative, consider LED lights, or fun Halloween-themed flashlights for the kids.
6. Halloween Candy Concerns
One of the most exciting aspects of Halloween is loads of candy youngsters collect. However, there are a few hidden dangers that both you and your children should be aware of before digging into the sweet harvest.
Choking
Before you allow your children to dig in, sort through the candy, and remove hard candy that could easily become lodged in your child’s throat if swallowed whole. Older children may be permitted to eat this kind of candy, but even an adult can choke on hard candy, so use your discretion.
Also use caution with gooey taffies, caramel, or marshmallows as these kinds of candy are also choking hazards.
Allergens
If your child has a food allergy, inspect candy for items that may cause a reaction. If your child is extremely sensitive to an allergen, and other candy may have come into contact with it, find out what your child’s favorite candies are, stock up, and allow them to cash in their collected candy for the safe stuff that’s on reserve at home.
Bad Apples
Let’s be honest, there are some real weirdos out there that put dangerous items in children’s candy. Glass, lead, pins, toxins, and biohazardous materials have been found in candy.
We can’t try to understand what would prompt anyone to do such a thing, but we can prevent our children from becoming a victim of it.
Before you allow your kids to attack their treats, closely inspect all candy for holes, pinholes, opened wrappers, and other abnormalities. Throw away any questionable candy immediately and if you do find something report it to the local authorities immediately.
7. Costume Saftey
Crafting costumes is an exciting part of Halloween, but if you don’t plan safely, a stray hem could find its way into a jack-o-lantern and burst into flames. Here are a few things to also consider when planning Halloween costumes:
- Use fire-resistant materials
- Keep hems from dragging on the ground
- Use non-toxic makeup rather than masks for visibility
- Attach reflective tape, flashlights, and blinking lights to costumes for night trick-or-treating
8. The Big Night
On the night of trick-or-treating prepare your little ghouls with a few ground rules to make sure everyone stays safe because unfortunately, goblins aren’t the only scary thing children may encounter on their trip around the neighborhood.
- Plan the acceptable route, and ensure your child sticks to the plan.
- Set a time for your child to return home if they are going out alone.
- Remind your child not to eat their candy until you’ve inspected it.
- Encourage children to travel in large groups.
- Remind kids to stay out of stranger’s homes and cars.
If you can accompany your child, do so, because the best way to ensure your child is safe is to be with them on their exciting Halloween journey.
Knowing you’ve considered the dangers of this spooky holiday ahead of time with our Halloween safety tips, will give you peace of mind on the big day.
Now go get your costume on and get ready to hand out some sweets for neighbor kids!
