5 Halloween Decorations That Still Look Good for Thanksgiving, According to Designers

You may be excited to display your themed decor designed to get you in the spirit of the seasons. However, it can be a hassle decorating everything for Halloween, only to virtually start the process all over again once the Thanksgiving season appears. As it turns out, some of your Halloween decor choices can be repurposed for Thanksgiving if you know how to style them.

Whether you’re a minimalist, looking to be more sustainable, or simply prefer less hassle when decorating your space, we spoke to a few designers about which five Halloween decor items can still be kept out for Thanksgiving.

Lighting and Candles

While Halloween lighting may be on the eerie side, Bree Steele, an interior designer with RJ Living, says your lighting for Halloween and Thanksgiving can virtually stay the same. While you may opt for a little extra light for the Thanksgiving season, Steele recommends that a dimmed overhead alongside candles and glass lanterns work for both holiday decor styles.

“For Halloween, they can create a more dark and moody atmosphere, but at Thanksgiving, they can create a more cozy and warm feeling,” Steele states. 

If you’re a scented candle lover, choose fall-based scents that can carry you through both seasons—think pumpkin spice, crisp fall leaves, and apple cider. You can even create DIY candles to create a very specific aroma that can encapsulate both holidays.

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Blankets and Pillows

Nothing says autumn quite like getting cozy with blankets and pillows. The transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving may require nixing the more “themed” prints, such as ghouls, spiders, and goblins. However, Steele says that if you focus more on an autumnal color scheme than specific patterns, your blankets and pillows can stay up through the Thanksgiving festivities. 

“If you use textures in autumn colors, like reds, browns, and oranges, they allude to Halloween and autumn in general, making them great for establishing the earthy feeling,” Steele suggests.

A note to keep in mind: emphasize textured knits and styles with your blankets and pillows to create an additional decorative touch without resorting to overly cluttered and specific holiday themes.

Pumpkins

Usually, you would want to toss the jack-o’lanterns once Halloween ends, but according to Jan Odesanya, the founder and interior designer of Mondän & Co., if you use uncarved pumpkins in your decor since they can easily transition well for Thanksgiving. 

“Think white pumpkins, heirloom pumpkins with unique shapes, or even a collection of mini pumpkins displayed in a simple wooden bowl,” Odesanya suggests.

If you adore jack o’lanterns, don’t fret—you can turn them around once the holiday is over to display the uncarved side, though the pumpkins may only last about a week after being carved.

Statement Branches and Foliage

While leaves may be the focus of a fall theme, bare branches can be useful in your decor spaces, too—and they surprisingly work well for both holidays.

A statement branch with a spotlight cast can create haunting shadows and play perfectly into Halloween, while those branches can also be placed in a vase alongside pinecones and pumpkins for a Thanksgiving twist. If you long for pops of color, a few leaves on the branches will do the trick!

A United Centerpiece 

As you prepare for gatherings throughout the seasons, a focal centerpiece can make all the difference. If you prefer not to hassle with two entirely different set pieces, Steele suggests creating one with elements that can work well for each. Her suggestions include pinecones, candlestick holders, scented candles, and branches as a foundation.

“This will be a good base for Halloween, where you can jazz it up by adding some fake cobwebs and using black candles in the holders," Steele explains. "Then, swap them out for white candles when Thanksgiving rolls around, and you will be good to go."