As the day approaches you have two choices to make; embrace the dark horror of All Hallow's Eve or be the person that turns the lights off and locks the door.
If you embrace Halloween you'll be judged by people who worry that Satan is puppeteering you. If you close your door and turn off the lights the judging will come from your neighbours. I'm more afraid of angering the people I might need to borrow sugar or yard bags from.
Even if you don't want to go big for Halloween you can at least look like you put some effort into it with any of these DIYS I picked out. They're all relatively easy and none of them require a motor, robotics, or sacrificial woodland creatures.
I have a lot more Halloween how-to posts, I am a blogger after all and our job is to exhaust every single holiday craft possible, but these are the easier ones of the bunch.
I for one am already planning an entire month devoted to Groundhog day next year. DIY stuffed groundhogs, teaching your groundhog tricks, groundhog bocci, groundhog stew, sew your own groundhog slippers (hot glue option as well).
Something for you to look forward to.
I want to warn you some of the images you are about to see are likely to inspire devil worship.
The Floating Candles. Fishing line, battery operated candles and 2 way tape. Read the full post.
Demon doormat. Blank door mat, spray paint, and a stencil. Learn how to do it.
Zipperface, the quick & brutally effective Halloween costume. Learn how here.
Don't want to carve a pumpkin? I have a whole post of ideas for you.
Gauze and twinkle lights are all you need for these door flanking pumpkins on stools.
A wall sized spiderweb made with two way tape and yarn. Read the tutorial here.
Everything you need to make it.
A witch's broom is fun because to make it you have to go walking in the woods looking for downed branches and twigs. Extra fun if you do it under a full moon. But don't really do that because you're likely to gather sticks with worms and centipedes stuck to them.
If you’re interested in meeting a witch I have some advice for you. Put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night. According to folklore, (the same folks that brought us romance novel men and one size fits all anything) that is the trick to meeting a witch; inside out backwards walking.
Of course, if you do this around town you’re also likely to meet with questionable glances & someone chasing you with a very large butterfly net.
Unless of course you make a quick getaway on your newly-made gathered under the moonlight broom.
What the world needs is someone (you!) to show them that outdoor Halloween Decor should have a theme and not be everything in the Halloween aisle thrown outside. I say this specifically, because I need more ideas, lol. I used to be the spooky house on the street, because I lit everything with a real candle light. Then the city decided to change the street lights into eye sizzling burn beams. Also, a theater artistic Director moved in next-door, so now, it’s a Halloween Griswold throw down each year. Go big or go home!
Oh lord, I'd just tell the neighbour they could take over onto my yard for their display and be done with it. ~ karen!
Brilliant zipper face!!
Now, I can't wait to decorate for my grandson - he comes over on weekends to sleep sometimes and I will have the bathroom ready - floating candles, broomstick and all.
Hallowe'en is so much fun. I swear kids get a ride share to our street as we get over 450 kids trick or treating. We set up a tent and cook mini meatballs for only the adults and have parents help decorate the pumpkin.
Zipper face is my all-time favorite. One question. How long will it take to get the red fake bloodstained skin back to its normal color?
I have loved your Halloween posts for several years & the zipper is so pretty!
I think I’m scary enough without a zipper face. Most of the adult neighbors switch to the opposite side of our cul de sac if they see my garage door is open and hear Dark Side of The Moon and a rotary sander. The kids like my pink/purple hair and enjoy Elliott the cockatoo and have learned to love Pink Floyd and Beck. Tomorrow it’ll be a big day for our little DEAD END road. See what I did there? I’m planning a full on assault by dragging my power washer out and parking the SUV by the curb and detailing it. There’s also a mystery scratch the entire length of the passenger side that I will be removing - this means more power tools and music and a dancing cockatoo right out where the grown ups might have to say hello. The mailboxes are right next to our driveway, it’s unavoidable. Besides, I have enough sense to wear jeans since the glare off my bare legs can cause temporary blindness. I’m cogent of how terrifying an old lady with stark white legs, bright pink hair, “Loser” by Beck can be while wielding a power washer as a loud bird keeps the beat.
Yeah, I just put my blow-mold giant jack-o’-lantern on the porch and orange string lights in the bushes and kindly beg my wonderful adult son to hand out the candy. I’ve gotten lazy and like I said, I do my part by creeping out our ‘hood the other 364 days of the year.
I don't think I've ever read more descriptive comments than yours - I can always picture in great detail just what you're trying to get across. You are one great writer!
When I grow up I want to be just like you. 😎
Btw, I’m 72.
Of all your DIYs 'Zipper Face' remains the most brilliant and memorable. This here former funeral director & embalmer gives it three thumbs up.
Whoa! Cool!! Have you ever read any of Caitlin Doughty's books? I want to be composted.
I do follow her on YouTube.