Save Money This Halloween With These Decorating Ideas
Every Halloween the kids want to decorate the yard and inside the house and they want it to be scary looking but real. I want them to decorate but don't want to spend a lot of money doing so. Every time I go by the "Holiday Aisle" at those big box stores I see the price tags on their big blow-ups and think "who spends a hundred bucks on that?"
So, in my frugal mind, I start thinking about all these decorating ideas (and how much money I can save) and I share them with the kids. It just takes a little imagination, and yes they are super easy.
Let's get started, first find some old clothing you don't wear anymore like shirts, jeans, or coveralls. Then stuff them with old newspapers and create a body for a scarecrow or someone lurking around your house. Since it's been hot and dry this year you won't have any problems finding dried-out weeds to decorate with.
Now, you will spend a few dollars getting the things you don't have laying around the house but it's far less than buying those holiday decorations everybody else is using. Here are a few more of my money-saving tips that are sure to scare away those little candy-grabbing goblins.
Yellow Caution Tape
It's inexpensive and usually found at hardware stores, and while it doesn't say police it can say "Caution" because there are some scary things going on here. Put it up all around your place, and start setting the mood. Use your kid's pop-up tent with a stuffed body inside it.
Warning Signs
I like using old cardboard boxes because first off, they're free and a lot of businesses will give you their boxes if you ask for them. Make signs and let your imagination run wild. Make scary warning signs like "Enter at Your Own Risk," "Danger Keep Out," or "Cemetery That Way" you get the idea.
Then give your scene a name, like "Murder on Meadow Lane" (substitute your own street name). Check out the video above for some additional creative ideas.
Glow in the Dark Paint
Painting yourself and other objects with some glow-in-the-dark paint can make you or whatever you paint look really eerie or creepy, and really helps in making your place look truly spooky.
In the above video, you'll pick up some easy makeup tips that will have you looking somewhat creepy.
Dim the Lights
Lighting really helps set the mood too, simply turn off bright lights. Instead, use black light bulbs to light the way. Don't completely darken everything, you want your visitors to see the scary scene you've created.
Yard Art
Making tombstones out of Styrofoam, plywood, or my favorite, cardboard and painting epitaphs like "R.I.P." or "Till Death Do Us Part" will give it that graveyard feel. An old wooden crate becomes a rotting casket.
Pumpkin Decorating
When using real pumpkins, keep in mind they might last 8 days after being carved before rotting begins. Try painting your pumpkins instead, they'll last up to a month uncut. Then you can re-use your gourds as Thanksgiving decorations.
Making Witches, Scarecrows, and Ghosts
Make a scarecrow, witch, or dummy using an old shirt, jeans, boots, and a hat. Stuff your dummy with newspapers and add a latex mask that can complete the look. A plastic pumpkin with a white sheet over it becomes a ghost. Prop your dummy up and leave the rest to your visitor's imagination.
Just be creative and have fun. Try to be a kid at heart and have a Happy Halloween.