Halloween Decorating Guides

Amongst the falling leaves and colorful landscape is a chill in the air that’s not just mother nature. It’s a haunting aura that’s a precursor to Halloween. Besides that, there’s the desire to decorate in a unique way that will make your home or yard super scary.
The following guides will help you creep it up for a party or trick-or treaters. With traditional or homemade decorations and a few properly placed props, you’ll be set up for a frightfully fun Halloween.

Halloween Party Decorating Ideas and Tips

There's no lack of resources in October for Halloween party decorations, props and accessories! Look around the discount and novelty stores for all kinds of traditional spooky items for your party that will scare your guests silly.
Keep your eye peeled at Haunted Houses and around your city for new ideas. Someone always has a unique Halloween display that catches your eye and you can use those ideas for your own indoor or outdoor party. From traditional to new-age, here's some inexpensive decorating tips and ideas to set the creepiest mood possible:
Jack-O-Lanterns
What's Halloween without a jack-o-lantern? Find some stencils to carve or paint scary faces on your pumpkins to add the traditional touch to your party.
Candles
Use candles inside your carved jack-o-lanterns to make the faces glow. Put some dark colored candles in creepy candleholders around your snack table for a gothic touch. Use caution with open flames and make sure no costumes will come near them.
Crepe Paper
Use traditional crepe paper decoration to add Halloween colors to your party table and anywhere else you see fit.
Spider Webs
Buying fake spider webs is one of the most cost-effective decorations. They're cheap and can be found at your local discount store. You can make your own with cotton batting found in the crafts department. Then, you're going to need spiders. Pick up some creepy, fake spiders to add to the webs. Better yet, add some fake bugs too for your spider's victims.
Fake Blood
What's creepier than blood? You can find fake blood in the stores or make your own blood cheap! Using fake blood is better left for outdoor parties if you're concerned about any messes or staining. If you use it indoors, make sure it's contained. Click here for some realistic fake blood recipes.
Shadows
Cut out spooky shapes such as a bat, ghost or cat in some heavy construction paper. Tape it to a flashlight and place it in a strategic position to make your guests look twice.
Sound Effects
There's plenty of tapes and CDs available with creepy sounds such as lightning, screams, banging and creaking. Use these outside or in an entryway for the element of surprise.
Lighting Effects
Use special lighting to compliment your sounds. Dim lighting is always preferable to set the spooky setting and a strobe light adds a special touch to simulate lightening. A black light sets an unsettling atmosphere and can be found in most party supply stores.
Coffins
Use your imagination! You can build your own coffin with 6-8 wood pieces and place a dummy in it. Or consider having it closed and place one of those fake arms coming out of it. Add some fake blood to the side for a downright gross affect.
Scarecrows
Perfect for the Autumn season, scarecrows are fascinating to look at and add mystery to your yard. Set the atmosphere for your scarecrow by adding bales of hay, cornstalks, and Indian corn -- and he'll definitely get attention.
Tombstones
Perhaps one of the creepiest things is a tombstone with the inscription R.I.P. which is reminiscent of old-time graveyards believed to be haunted according to old myths and urban legends. You can find tombstones in the holiday section of most stores around Halloween, or make your own and add some originality!
Fog Machine
There's nothing like fog around to send chills up your spine. Fog machines are easier to find these days around Halloween and aren't near as expensive as they used to be. Most fog machines are water based and are simple to use.
Paint it Black
Go gothic with a black party scheme. Choose all black decorations and tableware. Buy some flat black spray paint for items such as vases, napkin holders, pumpkins -- anything you can think of. Don't want black? Try purple, orange, or midnight blue.
Ravens
Create chills with ghastly grim, black ravens, sparrows, or crows placed on shelves, tables, and unexpected places like on the serving table or in the bathroom. Your guests will get goosebumps at the ominous implications of seeing these mysterious birds indoors.
Backdrop
If you've got some background to hide, you can make a backdrop with the largest black trash bags that you can find. Cut at the seams and attach together with black duct tape. After they're hung, spread fake spider webs in the front and then add the plastic bugs and spiders.

Carving Jack-O-Lanterns

What is harvest and Halloween without jack o lanterns? One of the best things about Halloween is decorating your home or yard for the holiday, or a fall party festival. From large to small, pumpkins make great decorations to get into the Autumn spirit.
Whether you want your jack-o-lantern to be cute, creepy or downright scary, here are some pumpkin picking and classic carving tips for some great jack-o-lanterns. Make sure you take a picture of your masterpiece when you're finished for unique Halloween memories.

How to Pick a Perfect Pumpkin

Take your camera along to capture the moment.
If possible, go straight to the pumpkin patch and hand-pick your pumpkins right off of the vine. Some farms offer unique varieties such as miniatures and ghost white pumpkins.
Grab some gourds and Indian corn while you're at it and you're all set for Halloween decorating. Not only is it fun, your pumpkins and gourds will be fresh and last longer.
Look for a well-balanced pumpkin with a steady base.
Make sure the stem isn't broken.
Choose a solid, not soft or mushy pumpkin.
The color should be dark and even, with no fungus.
Check the pumpkin for flat spots and molding.
Never pick up a pumpkin by the stem, it may break off.
If you plan on carving your pumpkin, make sure it's not too small. You will need ample room for carving out the face.
After you've brought it home, leave it in the garage for the night if a freeze is in the weather forecast.

Carving a Jack-O-Lantern

Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds.
The rind should be about 1" thick so it doesn't collapse.
Map out your pumpkin face on a piece of paper ahead of time for some ideas.
Draw the lines for your lid before carving. Make a special "notch" so the lid is easy to put on.
When using a stencil, pick a pumpkin that is similar in shape to the pattern you are using.
Use a knife long enough to cut through the rind, but not so long that it cuts the other side.
When you carve out the lid, angle your knife slightly towards the center of the pumpkin. This keeps the lid from falling into the pumpkin.
If the base of your pumpkin sets crooked, consider cutting out the bottom to straighten it out and provide a sturdy base for a candle when you set it down.
Draw the facial features on the pumpkin ahead of time with a pencil or use a stencil pattern specifically for jack-o-lanterns.
Don't cut out the features on your jack-o-lantern too closely together or it's face will probably weaken and cave in.
Your pumpkin will last longer if you use an electric or battery operated lighting device instead of a candle.
If you choose to use a candle, insert an appropriate scented one, such as cinnamon, spice or "baked pumpkin pie."
Coat the edges of your carving with petroleum jelly to reduce shriveling.
You don't have to carve your pumpkin. Consider using a stencil to draw on the face. Fill in the features with markers or acrylic paint made for crafts.

Fog Machines

Nothing's spookier than an eerie, dense, cut-with-a-knife fog on Halloween night. Fog makes a perfect prop to enhance your Halloween decorations and set the atmosphere for some spine-tingling fun. Most of the time, we're not fortunate enough to have low-lying, natural fog, so we need to use other means to produce it.
You don't need homemade fog or dry ice anymore for simulated fog. Just a couple of years ago, most people wouldn't consider buying a fog machine because they were too expensive. Dry ice aside, these machines are now cheap and practical.
The most common types of fog machines are water based, producing fog with a glycol and water solution called "fog fluid." The fluid is poured into the machine and when the machine warms up, the fluid is pumped out of the machine, producing thick clouds of fog. Most (cheaper) machines cycle, meaning they fog - stop - and begin fogging again after reheating.

How to Buy a Fog Machine

When buying a fog machine, look for one that comes with a timer that you can set to turn the machine off. Operating a machine that's out of fog fluid can harm your machine, so this is one way to save your machine - and your time. Better yet, some machines come with a remote control that comes in handy at busy parties.
Not all fog machines are recommended for both outdoor and indoor use. Rain, mist and dew can damage an indoor machine so you may want to consider paying a little more and buying one that can be used for both. For larger areas, you may need a larger machine. Or, you can set up two or more mini foggers to cover the area.
Don't buy a "fly-by-night" brand or you may not be able to find the right fog fluid the following year. Fog fluid is not interchangeable and most machines require fluid of the same brand. Buying a popular brand insures that you'll be able to find replacement "juice" very easily, whether it's at your local store or online. Shop early because stores sell out quickly.

Ideal Conditions

For outdoor use, a still night is ideal. Wind, or even a light breeze will have an adverse affect on your fog, putting a damper on your Halloween party. It's best to place your machine underneath an overhang, or somewhere to help block rain and wind. The machine will get hot, so make sure you set it on a sturdy, fire-resistant surface. Experiment with lighting to create surroundings that are sure to give anyone a second thought about entering.
You can use a fog machine indoors, in fact that is what most of the mini machines are for. Keep in mind that you're likely to find a residue on everything it comes into contact with, so you may want to cover any antiques, expensive furniture or electronics. Keep your rooms well ventilated to allow air to flow freely. If you're anticipating any guests with asthma or breathing problems, fake fog can aggravate the problem. In that case, it's a good idea to play it safe and run the machine outdoors.

Why Not Dry Ice?

Dry ice is now the less popular option as it is costly and is more "high maintenance." It needs to be handled very carefully because exposure to skin can damage the tissue. Up until a few years ago, dry ice was a good choice as fog machines were expensive. Still, it may be the best thing for commercial displays, haunted houses and large "graveyard" areas.

How to Make a Scarecrow

Traditionally, scarecrows were set up in gardens and fields to keep unwanted birds -- particularly crows, away from the crop. Now people are making scarecrows for their annual autumn Halloween decorations. Instructions are easy!
Homemade scarecrows can be quite fashionable and eye-catching. Choose bold colors and set up a display with corn stalks and bales of hay. Get creative, get the kids involved, use your imagination and make a scary scarecrow! The more menacing he looks, the more of a conversation piece he will be.

Supplies for Your Homemade Scarecrow

Long-sleeved shirt
Old pair of pants or jeans - preferably with patches
Old pair of socks or boots
Gardening gloves
Straw hat
Plenty of baling twine or string
Safety pins
A pillowcase or pumpkin for the head
Fiberfill, newspapers, rags, or straw for stuffing
Pencil, paint and markers for face
Stakes (optional)

Assembly

To assemble your scarecrow, firmly tie the ends of the pants and sleeves on the shirt and stuff them with your choice of stuffing. Stuff the socks and gloves and tie on the ends. Fasten the socks (or boots) and gloves to the pants and shirt on the inside with safety pins (or bent paper clips.) Tuck the shirt into the pants.
If you're using a pumpkin for the head, it's best to carve it into a jack-o-lantern to take off some of the weight. It will take some wire to fasten it. A pillowcase works better and is far easier to attach to the body. Use a pencil and draw on the face. Follow up with the paint and markers to give him facial features. Then stuff the pillowcase and fasten it to the body with safety pins.
Top off your scarecrow with a hat. A straw hat gives it a classic look. Fasten the hat firmly so it doesn't blow off on windy days.
You can sit your scarecrow on the bales, or prop him up against them. Consider attaching him to some stakes with a hammer and nails to have him in an upright position.
Now, give your scarecrow decoration a name and enjoy. When the season is over, store him in a dry place for next Fall.

Halloween Decorations