How to Haunt Your Yard on a Budget

You don't need a fog machine budget of a haunted house attraction to make your yard genuinely spooky. Here's how to get most of the effect for a fraction of the cost. Photo by Oxana Melis on Unsplash 1. Thrift First Halloween props show up constantly at thrift stores and yard sales in September and … Continue reading How to Haunt Your Yard on a Budget

Silhouette Mason Jar Lanterns for a Magical Walkway

These make a walkway genuinely magical after dark, and they cost almost nothing to put together if you already have jars on hand. You'll need: clean, dry mason jars, black tissue paper or cardstock, Mod Podge or craft glue, battery-operated tea lights Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash 1. Cut Your Silhouettes Cut simple silhouettes … Continue reading Silhouette Mason Jar Lanterns for a Magical Walkway

5 Ways to Make Your 12-Foot Skeleton Even Better

The 12-foot skeleton took over front yards a couple of Halloweens ago, and it's still one of the most photographed decorations on any block — but a lot of owners just prop it up and call it done. A little extra effort goes a long way. Photo by

How to Style a Halloween Mantel Like a Pro

A mantel is the anchor of a room, so it's worth taking a little extra time to layer it properly instead of just lining up a row of pumpkins. 1. Start With Height Variation Use a mix of taper candlesticks, a stack of books, and one taller item like a branch arrangement or an antique … Continue reading How to Style a Halloween Mantel Like a Pro

DIY Cheesecloth Ghosts (The Viral Pinterest Kind)

These are the ghosts you've seen going viral on Pinterest — eerie, fabric-draped figures glowing faintly in a front yard at dusk. They're cheaper and easier to make than they look. Photo by

DIY Spider Web Decorations (3 Methods)

Store-bought stretchy webbing works fine, but these three DIY methods look more deliberate and can be reused year after year. Photo by CrowN on Unsplash 1. Yarn or String Web Hammer a ring of small nails or push pins into a wall, fence, or foam board in a rough circle. Wrap black or white yarn … Continue reading DIY Spider Web Decorations (3 Methods)

Inclusive Halloween Costume Ideas for Mobility Aids

A wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid can be worked into a costume as a feature, not something to hide. These ideas build the costume around the equipment rather than trying to disguise it. Photo by

5 Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Decorating Ideas

Glow-in-the-dark decor works for both outdoor displays and indoor parties, and most of it is reusable for years since it’s paint or UV-reactive material rather than something that gets thrown away. Photo by David Liu on Unsplash 1. Glow Paint Handprint Ghosts Dip hands in glow-in-the-dark fabric paint and press onto black poster board for … Continue reading 5 Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Decorating Ideas

DIY Halloween Wreath for Your Front Door

A wreath is the fastest way to make your entryway feel decorated without committing to a full yard display. This version uses a plain foam or grapevine base you can find at any craft store. Photo by CrowN on Unsplash What You'll Need A grapevine or foam wreath base (14-16 inch) Black and orange ribbon … Continue reading DIY Halloween Wreath for Your Front Door

5 Trunk-or-Treat Decorating Ideas That Don’t Require a Truck Full of Supplies

Trunk-or-treat events have become a genuine Halloween tradition in a lot of neighborhoods and churches — a safer, more contained alternative to walking door to door. If you've got a car and an afternoon, here are five themes that photograph well and don't require a garage full of props. Photo by Selvin Esteban 1. Pirate … Continue reading 5 Trunk-or-Treat Decorating Ideas That Don’t Require a Truck Full of Supplies