There are several ways I love to prepare for the big night of fright, so I thought I would share some with those who are looking for new arts, crafts, or traditions to add to their repertoire. Sure some of these may seem obvious to the seasoned Halloween lovers, but still, here are a few spooky ideas for the Halloween loving newbies or even the old dogs looking for new tricks!
I have attached links to tutorials whenever possible.
1. Make your own Halloween Countdown- you can use a chalkboard, a dry erase board, a good old fashioned paper chain and tear off a link each day... Or take a look at my halloween decorative block tutorial which includes a countdown side on the blocks-
http://thehalloweenchick.blogspot.com/2014/08/decorative-halloween-blocks-diy.html?m=1
or get really fancy and make something from this cute list: http://www.curbly.com/users/craftmel/posts/14277-roundup-10-diy-halloween-countdown-crafts
2. PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING-
2. PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING-
nothing says October or Halloween like pumpkin spice. From lighting pumpkin spice candles, to using pumpkin spice creamer in your coffee, pumpkin spice is sure to get you in the mood for some Halloween fun, which brings me to the next item on the list...
3. Host a pumpkin carving party or contest- Grab a bunch of the Pumpkin carving kits at the nearest grocery store, or print off some cool patterns and have a B.Y.O.P. (bring your own pumpkin) gathering. It is a ton of fun to get people together and see how creative (and competitive) they can be with their designs.
Added bonus- a lot of them will leave their pumpkin so you can add it to your yard decor, especially if you give them some pumpkin flavored brewskis.
This is a good idea for later in the month of October so that your pumpkins will last til Halloween, but it's never too early to start planning the event.
4. Not into the real thing when it comes to pumpkin carving? Make a paper mache pumpkin to display indoors or out (weather permitting). Check out these absolutely amazing examples on Stolloween.com:
http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=67
5. While we are on the subject of pumpkins, why not visit your local pumpkin patch? Pick out a pumpkin and snap some pics of the kiddos (or kids at heart).
6. Dress your pets in Halloween clothes!
7. Dress your kids in Halloween clothes and pajamas!
8. No kids or pets? Dress yourself in Halloween clothes! Accessorizing with Ghostly PJ's or socks covered in witches will certainly put anyone in the mood for Halloween.
9. Get (or give yourself) a Halloween mani/pedi. Check out these adorable ideas for your digits:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/ween-nails#11px91k
10. Make (or buy) a chalkboard and write Halloween quotes, song lyrics, poems or saying on it and display it in your home. Change it up every few days or so.
11. Have a Halloween movie marathon-
3. Host a pumpkin carving party or contest- Grab a bunch of the Pumpkin carving kits at the nearest grocery store, or print off some cool patterns and have a B.Y.O.P. (bring your own pumpkin) gathering. It is a ton of fun to get people together and see how creative (and competitive) they can be with their designs.
Added bonus- a lot of them will leave their pumpkin so you can add it to your yard decor, especially if you give them some pumpkin flavored brewskis.
This is a good idea for later in the month of October so that your pumpkins will last til Halloween, but it's never too early to start planning the event.
4. Not into the real thing when it comes to pumpkin carving? Make a paper mache pumpkin to display indoors or out (weather permitting). Check out these absolutely amazing examples on Stolloween.com:
http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=67
5. While we are on the subject of pumpkins, why not visit your local pumpkin patch? Pick out a pumpkin and snap some pics of the kiddos (or kids at heart).
6. Dress your pets in Halloween clothes!
7. Dress your kids in Halloween clothes and pajamas!
8. No kids or pets? Dress yourself in Halloween clothes! Accessorizing with Ghostly PJ's or socks covered in witches will certainly put anyone in the mood for Halloween.
9. Get (or give yourself) a Halloween mani/pedi. Check out these adorable ideas for your digits:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/ween-nails#11px91k
10. Make (or buy) a chalkboard and write Halloween quotes, song lyrics, poems or saying on it and display it in your home. Change it up every few days or so.
11. Have a Halloween movie marathon-
Need some suggestions? Well, my personal favorites are Hocus Pocus, Trick R'Treat and of course the original Halloween, but check out this list of 50 truly chilling horror flicks if you aren't sure where to begin:
http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/top-scariest-movies-all-time/Hw3HiLfctnUsYmlI89WPVJ/gallery.html
12.Visit a Haunted House/attraction in your area, or many of them!
13.Visit a graveyard (this one might not be for everyone, but there are some really beautiful cemeteries out there.) Of course, be respectful and considerate. (they're coming to get you, Barbara)
14. Make your own Spooky potion bottles. Be creative or keep it simple with stick on labels from any craft store. You can check out my potion bottles here:
http://thehalloweenchick.blogspot.com/2014/08/diy-potion-bottles-for-halloween.html
15. Make your own Halloween candles
with dollar store candles, craft paper or other printed Halloween images and a little modge podge.
16. Make caramel apples!
17. Host a "Secret Jack" (reference to Jack Skellington ;) Halloween gift exchange with friends, family, or co workers. Set a low dollar limit and specify gifts must be Halloween themed. Exchange mid-October so everyone has time to enjoy their treats. (or tricks)
18. Create a playlist of Halloween music, or create a Halloween station on pandora.
19. Fill jars with candy corn and place around the house for a cute display and a tasty treat.
20. Place Halloween printouts or Halloween craft paper in dollar store frames as a simple and inexpensive decoration. Here are some free printables to get your started:
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/50-best-free-vintage-halloween-images/
21. Create a Halloween table scape- use a Halloween table cloth or any table cloth that is black, purple, orange or your preferred hue, place a few skulls, a candelabra or two and add a couple of your potion bottles to your table create a festive tablescape.
This one is to die for...
Photo from:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/elegant-eerie-halloween-tablescape-the-215th-tablescape-thursday/
22. Adopt a skeleton, give them a name, and dress them up. Pose them around the house for fun. (or scares)
You may have seen our family member, Grandma Mabel, and her kitty cat, Snowball. The kids get a kick out of finding her sitting in various places in the house with and without her wig. Costco has the best price on posable skeletons at $37 or so with Target close behind at $40.
23. Bake Halloween themed goods- who doesn't love cupcakes, especially those which are frosted to look like human brains? I dare you to find someone who doesn't!
Cupcakes, cake pops, cakes and cookies in a Halloween theme are always a hit! (stay tuned for some tutorials on these)
24. Save your jars and make Halloween lanterns- here is a craft of mine from last year that I reposted on one of my other blogs
http://www.3littlegoats.com/already-thinking-about-halloween-crafts/
25. Follow Halloween and Fall instagram accounts- this is a great place to find out where the good Halloween decor is, as well as to get ideas for crafts and costumes. You can start by following me, thehalloweenchick of course :)
26. Play a game of hide n seek with a Halloween decorative item.
You know that slightly annoying but super addictive elf on the shelf? We like to play a Halloween version of this game with one of our little pumpkin head decorations. My daughter looks forward to seeing where he will be and what he will be doing...
27. Pinterest- Pin pin pin! This one is obvious but start pinning like crazy so that if you are like me, you will get to two or three of the ninety awesome crafts and decorations you swear you will make this year!
28. Have a Halloween photo shoot- break out your old costumes or better yet, head to Goodwill or the costume shop and try on all of your favorites with a friend. Bring your camera and have a blast.
29. End the day with a Halloween themed bedtime story with the kiddos (or yourself).
For the parents- make sure it's nothing too scary or you may end up with a little goblin in your bed.
30. Binge on horror & spooky TV shows including the classics- Of course there is The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, and Hemlock Grove. But don't forget the oldies like The Munsters, or Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow.
31. Start using the Halloween kitchen ware. Hand towels, glasses, dishes, and any other Halloween themed decor you may have is a green light for daily use now. So break out the jack o lantern plates and Witchy dish towels. Don't have any? I suggest Ross, TJ Maxx/Home Goods for inexpensive and super cool Halloween wares.
32. Change your profile pic on social media to something creepy new or old. Last years Halloween costume, that Zombify app pic you made for fun, or bust out the green face paint and take a whole new photo to get not only yourself, but friends and family in the Halloween spirit.
33. Halloween prank your loved ones- sneak up behind them in a scary mask, hide that decapitated head behind the shower curtain, place your skeleton under their covers... Halloween pranks are fun! Just be ready for screams and the occasional throwing of objects.
34. Visit all of the Halloween stores and browse, shop, or take photos and attempt to replicate things you see that cost way more than you want to spend.
35. Deck out your vehicle with Halloween funzies... whether you want to commit to bumper stickers or just hang a fun Halloween sign in the window, driving around with some Halloween decoratives is sure to entertain those around you and get others in the mood for October. Target has cool Halloween signs in their dollar bins and Spirit Halloween has nifty Car magnets.
I personally am driving around with a large Jack Skellington sitting up in my back seat right now!
36. Create a Haunted Mirror to hang in your home for fun.
http://thehalloweenchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/haunted-mirror-tutorial.html
37. Go to Disneyland!
Ok so this one is not in the cards for everyone, even I have yet to make the trek to the happiest place on Earth at the spookiest time of the year, but it is on the to do list. And if it's a possibility for you then make it happen! (and bring me with you, please?)
I hear it is amazing.
38. Use lighting to set the Halloween mood around your home- Lights aren't just for Christmas. Orange, purple, and black decorative lights placed around window frames or near your Halloween decor can really help set the tone. It can look spooky or really classy depending on what you're going for.
39. Check out local "haunted" houses, hotels, or areas in your town. Almost every town has a place that is known to be haunted. Be a tourist in your own town and go on a ghost hunt!
40. Make a spooky shower curtain for your bathroom: Use a cheap white shower curtain and decorate it with bloody handprints, or if you are artistically inclined, use a sharpie to draw a silhoutte or bats etc on the outside of the curtain. Might want to do this one near Halloween if you use the shower regularly and the curtain could get wet and cause any paint, blood, marker etc to run.
41. Roast pumpkin seeds. A timeless classic.
42. Buy or make your own ouija board and connect with the spirits... I know, this one is not for everyone, but it might be fun for some. And if you don't want to summon the spirits, you could just use the board as decor. Here are some really cool homemade ouija boards.
http://www.museumoftalkingboards.com/kips.html
43. Make your own Halloween tombstones! Terra at scary lady videos takes the guess work out of making AMAZING Halloween tombstones for your yard haunt. Check out her basic tutorial here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyfmBL5JuH0&list=UUMrxX-vdE0ABTHOAkwFV-4g
She is truly talented and seems like a super nice lady,and check out this beautiful tombstone she created and eventually donated to a church group. Just brilliant!
44. Last but not least, enjoy the Halloween season with friends, family, and neighbors. Halloween is one holiday where the community truly celebrates together (if you are lucky enough to live in an area that still answers the door for trick or treaters). Support and promote Halloween by being the crazy person on the block that starts decorating before October 1st, even if no one else does.
Leave the lights on for trick or treaters and give out the good candy ... You might be surprised when your neighbors want to follow suit, and the kiddies will thank you.
Happy Haunting all.
http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/top-scariest-movies-all-time/Hw3HiLfctnUsYmlI89WPVJ/gallery.html
12.Visit a Haunted House/attraction in your area, or many of them!
13.Visit a graveyard (this one might not be for everyone, but there are some really beautiful cemeteries out there.) Of course, be respectful and considerate. (they're coming to get you, Barbara)
14. Make your own Spooky potion bottles. Be creative or keep it simple with stick on labels from any craft store. You can check out my potion bottles here:
http://thehalloweenchick.blogspot.com/2014/08/diy-potion-bottles-for-halloween.html
15. Make your own Halloween candles
16. Make caramel apples!
17. Host a "Secret Jack" (reference to Jack Skellington ;) Halloween gift exchange with friends, family, or co workers. Set a low dollar limit and specify gifts must be Halloween themed. Exchange mid-October so everyone has time to enjoy their treats. (or tricks)
18. Create a playlist of Halloween music, or create a Halloween station on pandora.
19. Fill jars with candy corn and place around the house for a cute display and a tasty treat.
20. Place Halloween printouts or Halloween craft paper in dollar store frames as a simple and inexpensive decoration. Here are some free printables to get your started:
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/50-best-free-vintage-halloween-images/
21. Create a Halloween table scape- use a Halloween table cloth or any table cloth that is black, purple, orange or your preferred hue, place a few skulls, a candelabra or two and add a couple of your potion bottles to your table create a festive tablescape.
This one is to die for...
Photo from:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/elegant-eerie-halloween-tablescape-the-215th-tablescape-thursday/
22. Adopt a skeleton, give them a name, and dress them up. Pose them around the house for fun. (or scares)
You may have seen our family member, Grandma Mabel, and her kitty cat, Snowball. The kids get a kick out of finding her sitting in various places in the house with and without her wig. Costco has the best price on posable skeletons at $37 or so with Target close behind at $40.
23. Bake Halloween themed goods- who doesn't love cupcakes, especially those which are frosted to look like human brains? I dare you to find someone who doesn't!
Cupcakes, cake pops, cakes and cookies in a Halloween theme are always a hit! (stay tuned for some tutorials on these)
24. Save your jars and make Halloween lanterns- here is a craft of mine from last year that I reposted on one of my other blogs
http://www.3littlegoats.com/already-thinking-about-halloween-crafts/
25. Follow Halloween and Fall instagram accounts- this is a great place to find out where the good Halloween decor is, as well as to get ideas for crafts and costumes. You can start by following me, thehalloweenchick of course :)
26. Play a game of hide n seek with a Halloween decorative item.
You know that slightly annoying but super addictive elf on the shelf? We like to play a Halloween version of this game with one of our little pumpkin head decorations. My daughter looks forward to seeing where he will be and what he will be doing...
27. Pinterest- Pin pin pin! This one is obvious but start pinning like crazy so that if you are like me, you will get to two or three of the ninety awesome crafts and decorations you swear you will make this year!
28. Have a Halloween photo shoot- break out your old costumes or better yet, head to Goodwill or the costume shop and try on all of your favorites with a friend. Bring your camera and have a blast.
29. End the day with a Halloween themed bedtime story with the kiddos (or yourself).
For the parents- make sure it's nothing too scary or you may end up with a little goblin in your bed.
30. Binge on horror & spooky TV shows including the classics- Of course there is The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, and Hemlock Grove. But don't forget the oldies like The Munsters, or Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow.
31. Start using the Halloween kitchen ware. Hand towels, glasses, dishes, and any other Halloween themed decor you may have is a green light for daily use now. So break out the jack o lantern plates and Witchy dish towels. Don't have any? I suggest Ross, TJ Maxx/Home Goods for inexpensive and super cool Halloween wares.
32. Change your profile pic on social media to something creepy new or old. Last years Halloween costume, that Zombify app pic you made for fun, or bust out the green face paint and take a whole new photo to get not only yourself, but friends and family in the Halloween spirit.
33. Halloween prank your loved ones- sneak up behind them in a scary mask, hide that decapitated head behind the shower curtain, place your skeleton under their covers... Halloween pranks are fun! Just be ready for screams and the occasional throwing of objects.
34. Visit all of the Halloween stores and browse, shop, or take photos and attempt to replicate things you see that cost way more than you want to spend.
35. Deck out your vehicle with Halloween funzies... whether you want to commit to bumper stickers or just hang a fun Halloween sign in the window, driving around with some Halloween decoratives is sure to entertain those around you and get others in the mood for October. Target has cool Halloween signs in their dollar bins and Spirit Halloween has nifty Car magnets.
I personally am driving around with a large Jack Skellington sitting up in my back seat right now!
36. Create a Haunted Mirror to hang in your home for fun.
http://thehalloweenchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/haunted-mirror-tutorial.html
37. Go to Disneyland!
Ok so this one is not in the cards for everyone, even I have yet to make the trek to the happiest place on Earth at the spookiest time of the year, but it is on the to do list. And if it's a possibility for you then make it happen! (and bring me with you, please?)
I hear it is amazing.
38. Use lighting to set the Halloween mood around your home- Lights aren't just for Christmas. Orange, purple, and black decorative lights placed around window frames or near your Halloween decor can really help set the tone. It can look spooky or really classy depending on what you're going for.
39. Check out local "haunted" houses, hotels, or areas in your town. Almost every town has a place that is known to be haunted. Be a tourist in your own town and go on a ghost hunt!
40. Make a spooky shower curtain for your bathroom: Use a cheap white shower curtain and decorate it with bloody handprints, or if you are artistically inclined, use a sharpie to draw a silhoutte or bats etc on the outside of the curtain. Might want to do this one near Halloween if you use the shower regularly and the curtain could get wet and cause any paint, blood, marker etc to run.
41. Roast pumpkin seeds. A timeless classic.
42. Buy or make your own ouija board and connect with the spirits... I know, this one is not for everyone, but it might be fun for some. And if you don't want to summon the spirits, you could just use the board as decor. Here are some really cool homemade ouija boards.
http://www.museumoftalkingboards.com/kips.html
43. Make your own Halloween tombstones! Terra at scary lady videos takes the guess work out of making AMAZING Halloween tombstones for your yard haunt. Check out her basic tutorial here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyfmBL5JuH0&list=UUMrxX-vdE0ABTHOAkwFV-4g
She is truly talented and seems like a super nice lady,and check out this beautiful tombstone she created and eventually donated to a church group. Just brilliant!
44. Last but not least, enjoy the Halloween season with friends, family, and neighbors. Halloween is one holiday where the community truly celebrates together (if you are lucky enough to live in an area that still answers the door for trick or treaters). Support and promote Halloween by being the crazy person on the block that starts decorating before October 1st, even if no one else does.
Leave the lights on for trick or treaters and give out the good candy ... You might be surprised when your neighbors want to follow suit, and the kiddies will thank you.
Happy Haunting all.
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