Halloweekend Prep: 25 Creative Ideas for Spooky Decorations and Gifts
It's that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the air is getting colder, and Halloween is just around the corner. If you're like me, you love Halloween but find yourself dreading the preparations. There are costumes to make or buy, candy to buy in bulk, and décor to put up both inside and outside the house. And if you have kids, there's also the school Halloween party to think about. But never fear! I'm here to help make your Halloweekend a breeze with these 25 creative ideas for decorations and gifts.
Let's start with decorations, as they may require more time to get prepared. Here are 10 decoration ideas that are sure to make your home the haunt of the neighborhood.
1. Outdoor Witch Display
This outdoor witch display is perfect for any front yard. All you need is a few witches, some brooms, and a cauldron or two. If you really want to go all out, you can even add some green smoke coming from the cauldrons for an extra touch of eeriness.
2. Spider Web
Spiders are always a popular choice for Halloween decorations, and this spider web is sure to be a hit with all the ghouls and goblins in your neighborhood.
3. Groundbreaking Monster
What could be more spine-tingling than a Monster breaking out from the ground? This decoration is sure to get some screams from your Trick-or-Treaters. Simply place it in a prominent location in your front yard or on your porch.
4. Creepy Crawly Garland
If you're looking for something a little different, this creepy crawly garland is perfect for you. Just add some black felt and google eyes, and this garland is sure to give anyone who sees it a case of the heebie jeebies!
5. Monster Cooler
Such a monster cooler is perfect for any Halloween party you might be throwing. Simply wrap up an old cooler with white gauze and add some googly eyes for an extra touch of creepiness. Your guests will love drinking their beverages out of this spooky cooler! Or just get one from the market like
6. Floating Pumpkin Luminaries
These floating pumpkin luminaries are perfect for lining your walkway or driveway on Halloween night. They're sure to give your guests a fright when they see them floating in the dark!
7. Haunted House Doorway Curtain
This haunted house doorway curtain is perfect for turning any doorway into a spooky entranceway. All you need is some black fabric and some orange string lights, and you'll have everything you need to create this festive decoration.
8. Blood-Drip Candles
Nothing says "Halloween" like some bloody candles! These DIY blood-drip candles only require some red wax and white candles. They're perfect for setting the mood on Halloween night!
9. Bloody Handprint Clings
These bloody handprint clings are perfect for giving any window an eerie look on Halloween night. Made with just red paint and clear contact paper, these clings are easy to make and can be easily removed after Halloween is over.
10. Jack-o'-Lantern String Lights
These jack-o'-lantern string lights are perfect for adding some festive flair to any room in your house on Halloween night. Made with just some mini pumpkins and orange string lights, these lights are sure to please any ghosts or goblins who see them!
There's no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than by decorating your home with all things spooky! And now it's time to think about some petrifying presents and ghastly gifts for your loved ones.
1. For the kid who loves to be scared: A set of spooky stories from classic literature. Add in a few creepy commonsensemedia.org-approved movies like "Coraline" or "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for an extra-scary movie night.
2. For the teenager who's too cool for school: A pair of "goth" sneakers or combat boots. Black is always in style, but these shoes are perfect for adding a little edge to any outfit.
3. For the parent who's always busy: A personalized mug with a spooky message like "I'm not a morning person" or "World's Greatest Mom...est." They can enjoy their favorite hot beverage in style and think of you every time they use it!
4. For the couple who loves to cuddle: A set of spooky his-and-hers pillow cases. These make a great gift for newlyweds or anniversary couples. Add in a few ghoulish throws for an extra-cozy touch.
5. For the friend who's always cold: A warm, fuzzy sweater with a jack-o'-lantern face or other festive design. They'll stay cozy all season long, and they'll think of you every time they wear it!
6. For the dog lover: A Halloween-themed dog toy or treat jar. Fill it with goodies like bones, balls, and squeakers for a special pup pal...or buy one already made from your favorite pet store!
7. For the cat lady: A set of Halloween-themed catnip toys. Cats love playing with these little nippies, and they'll have a blast chasing them around the house!
8. For the kiddo who loves to dress up: A personalized trick-or-treat bag with their name and favorite design on it. It's big enough to carry plenty of candy, but small enough that it won't get too heavy throughout the night!
9. For the office Secret Santa: A pumpkin spice scented candle or mug holder. It's not just for coffee anymore! This cozy scent will make everyone in the office feel right at home...even if they don't drink pumpkin spice lattes!
10. For the white elephant gift exchange participant: A roll of toilet paper with a spider web design printed on it. It's both spooky and practical, making it perfect for that person who always seems to have everything!
Halloween is such a fun time of year, and these 20 creative ideas will help you get into the spirit while making your preparations a breeze! From carved pumpkins to floating ghosts, there's something here for everyone. So get started today and have a happy Halloweekend!
...And here is a bonus part - the top 5 ideas for Halloween costumes:
1. Skeleton couple - These classic but one-of-a-kind outfits include a glow in the dark skeleton printed on the front of the bodysuit and skeleton gloves. They are easy to wear and perfect for going out on Halloween night!
2. Superheroes - Dads can be Batman, Superman, or Spiderman (or all three!), while moms can be Wonder Woman, Catwoman, or Supergirl. Or, you can switch it up and have dad be Wonder Woman and mom be Batman. The possibilities are endless!
3. Ken and Barbie - This classic couple costume is perfect for parents who want to show off their sense of humor (and their bodies!). Just make sure you don't get too handsy with each other in public. We don't need any kids getting nightmares about their parents' sex life!
4. Bonnie and Clyde - For the rebellious parents out there, this iconic duo is the perfect costume choice. Just make sure you don't actually rob any banks while wearing your costumes!
5. Ghosts - This is a great last-minute costume idea for parents who don't have a lot of time (or money) to put into their costume planning. Just put on some white sheets and voila! You're ghosts! You can even add some spooky makeup if you're feeling extra creative.
So there you have it, the top 5 Halloween costume ideas for dads and moms. Which one will you be wearing this year?
We hope you enjoyed our ideas for Halloween decorations, gifts and costumes! With these tips, we're sure you'll have a spook-tacular holiday. Be sure to check back soon, as we'll be posting more great ideas for Christmas and Hanukkah. Thanks for reading and happy holidays!