How to Decorate for Halloween

Halloween decorations can make your home look festive for the fall or spooky for trick or treaters. Whatever your preference is, here are some tips on how to decorate for Halloween.

Use pumpkins, gourds, and straw

If you are less into the scary component of Halloween and are more into celebrating the harvest, decorate with pumpkins and gourds. Pumpkins come in a variety of sizes, so choose groups of different sized pumpkins to set on your porch, hearth, or mantle. Very small pumpkins can even be placed in large bowls. Gourds come in a lot of different shapes and colors, so they can also be used for come contrast. If you have plenty of room on your porch or yard, some small square hay bales can be a nice addition.

Make Jack-o-lanterns

Making Jack-o-lanterns is a tradition for many families, and can be a great activity to do together. First, go to a pumpkin patch and select a pumpkin for carving. The pumpkin should have a smooth surface on one side for carving and be the shape you want (for instance, short and squat for a more rounded face on your jack-o-lantern or tall and oval shaped for a longer face). Next, bring your pumpkins home and cut the tops off, cutting at an angle so that the tops will sit back on the pumpkin without falling through. Then remove all the seeds and pulp from within the pumpkin. Then draw the lines that you want to cut along—erasers will work on pumpkins, so this gives you the chance to make corrections if necessary. Then use pumpkin carving tools or a sharp knife to cut out the shapes. Place a candle inside the pumpkin, replace the top, and set them on your porch for a great Halloween decoration!

Spider Webs

Spider webs are cheap, easy, and have a dramatic effect on your Halloween décor. You can purchase packages of spider webs which are essentially loosely strung cotton. Pull out a piece of the web and attach a string of it to two points in your house. You can use adhesive to attach it to walls, chairs, or other items (be careful not to use adhesive that will cause damage when removed). Once you have attached the web at two points, pull apart the strings to make them thinner. You can also wrap the spider webs around furniture or the edges of your table.

Image Credit: fauxto_digit, Flickr