Decorating your home for Halloween doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds of dollars on elaborate displays. With a little creativity and a few inexpensive supplies, homeowners can give their yards a festive, spooky look without frightening their budgets.
Before heading to the store, look around the house and garage for items that can be repurposed. Old sheets can become floating ghosts, empty jars can be transformed into glowing lanterns, and cardboard boxes can be cut into tombstones. A little gray paint can turn ordinary cardboard into a miniature graveyard. Want to add a humorous touch? Search for historic epitaphs, some of which can be amusing. The old west was known for epitaphs that were amusing such as “Here lies Les Moore. Four slugs from a .44. No Les no more.”
Lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create a Halloween atmosphere. Inexpensive orange or purple string lights can transform a porch, while battery-operated candles add an eerie glow to windows and walkways. Solar-powered lights are another budget-friendly option that won’t increase electricity costs.
If you don’t want to completely change a light fixture, use an amber or orange LED bulb. Warm colors can create a softer, eerie glow which works well on porches. Replace a bright lumen bulb with an LED bulb with fewer lumens. Flickering LED bulbs are also available as they imitate candlelight in lanterns or Victorian-style fixtures. An outdoor-rated frosted or tinted shade is another way to dim a harsh light temporarily.
Pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and fallen leaves provide seasonal color without requiring elaborate decorations. Grouping pumpkins of different sizes near the front door creates an attractive display that works throughout the fall. Branches collected from the yard can also become part of a spooky arrangement. Of course, carving a scary face into a pumpkin and placing a battery tea light candle
inside is a great way to add spookiness without significant expense.
Dollar stores, thrift shops and end-of-season clearance sales can provide inexpensive decorations. Rather than filling every corner of the yard, concentrate on one or two areas, such as the front porch or walkway, for the greatest visual impact.
Remember to keep sidewalks and steps clear. You also want to secure any lightweight decorations against wind and always use battery candles rather than those you must light with a match.
A memorable Halloween display doesn’t require a big budget. Sometimes a few creative touches are all it takes to give the neighborhood a little frightful fun.
