1. Costumes
A great imagination is all that is required when scaring up costumes for kids or adults. Try a thrift store or better yet go through closets for out dated clothes that can later be donated. You don’t necessarily have to stay away from the popular costumes in order to have a great time. After all, eyeliner, a skull cap and a pork pie hat are all that would’ve been needed in 2013 to become ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Walter White.
2. Home Decorations
Cardboard makes for great tombstones for the front yard.Cut into tombstone shape, use a magic marker to note monsters who’ve gone on to their eternal rest. Or use “Ima Goner” or “Ill B Bac,” Cut eyes into toilet paper rolls. Stick a glow wand in the tube and place the ‘eyes’ into bushes. Stash leaves into pumpkin decorated trash bags. Scare up more fun with balloons covered in old sheets and hanging from trees.
3. Candy
If you’re staying at home to treat the treaters, save by purchasing hard candy. Take care to not overestimate the number of treaters at your door. It’s easy to get caught up in the sugary excitement and spend to much. Don’t worry about complaints with the hard candy win. Most kids don’t care as long as something yummy hits their bag. Of course, you’ll save if you have little ones and will be out in the neighborhood. Don’t forget to turn off your light.
4. Activities
Scare up family and friends for a frightfully good time with a potluck dinner. Have a pumpkin carving or stenciling contest. Another fun activity is to bob for apples. You decide whether to have guests come costumed or not. Although a costume judging contest would also be fun. Make a scary maze by attaching cardboard boxes together.
5. Make Your Pumpkin Last Longer
Once the pumpkin is gutted, clean out the insides with bleach and water. Let dry completely before carving. Spread petroleum jelly on the carved parts of the pumpkin. This should make the pumpkin last through October. Another tip is to not set the pumpkin directly on concrete. Instead, place paper between the pumpkin and the concrete.
6. Scary Scarecrow
Before carting off clothes to the thrift shop, stuff old newspapers into them to build a scarecrow. Use a pumpkin for the head or an over sized hat. Stuff a pair of garden gloves, if your scarecrow needs hands. Use an old pair of tennies or boots for feet. Your scarecrow can be made sitting or standing. The scarecrow can be a funny or scary addition, depending on your taste. The kids will love the project and you won’t have broken the bank with the addition to your yard.
7. DIY Indoor Decorations
Create a spookier look by draping furniture in old, white sheets. Stretch cheese cloth across a mirror to look like a spider web. Pick up some scary spiders at the store to add to the effect.
8. Halloween Curtains
Make scary curtains by cutting ribbons from trash bags or by hanging and tying back black trash bags. The effect indoors or outdoors is spooky and is bound to cause second looks.
9. Halloween Trees
An example can be seen on the far right of the picture. Use modeling clay that can be baked in the oven to create eyes, nose, and mouth. To attach use reusable putty or double sided tape to attach the whimsical faces.
10. Giant Spiders
Stuff nine large trash bags with newspaper, leaves or packing material. Tie off the body to segregate the head. Section the legs in the same way. Add paper fangs and scary eyes to finish off the creature. Tie close to a tree so the monster looks like it’s getting ready to crawl.
