Spooky season is finally here! Meaning all of the shelves in the store are filled with Halloween candy, festive decorations, and costumes for the night of the 31st.
I know it’s still early(ish) in the month, but now is the best time to start thinking about how you’ll prepare for Halloween. Plus, the earlier you decorate, the longer you’ll have to enjoy the holiday.
Whether you’re planning on throwing a festive party or you’re trying to scope out the creepiest decorations for your own enjoyment, you’ll have to check out a few of my picks.
Below, you can find some of my ideas for a memorable Halloween at home. Boo!
*post includes affiliate links.
Indoor Halloween Decor Ideas
Some people only decorate the outside of their homes for Halloween while others choose to add frightful finds throughout their homes.
Me? You bet I’ll have jack-o-lanterns and Halloween adornments in every room.
This first idea came about a couple of years ago and it’s still just as popular!
It’s called a Halloween Tree and it’s basically a Christmas Tree filled with spooky ornaments, leaf garlands, and anything that reminds you of the holiday.
I actually created a blog about Halloween Trees and you can find it HERE.
Another easy way to add a spooky sense to your area is with garland.
Check out this one with adorable felt bats. It can be draped on your mantle, alongside an entry table, or lining the ceiling.
But because it’s made with felt, it’s probably not best to hang outside.
If you’re looking for one for your porch or for the trees in your front yard, this orange option from Etsy might be better.
It can also be used inside and I love how vibrant it is!
Heading back indoors with this multi-colored pumpkin topiary!
It has more of a sophisticated look to it, so if you have rustic or farmhouse decor in your home, this will fit in perfectly.
Here’s another option. This topiary includes pumpkins and “happy harvest” words to brighten any room.
I stumbled upon this ceramic tree a little while ago and knew I had to share it with you… you’ve seen these before, right?
I’ve seen them for Christmas, but I love the candy corn look for Halloween!
Wayfair also has a few bottle brush candy corn trees. You can bunch them together or separate them around your home.
If you collect Byers’ Choice carolers, you’ll love the selection of Halloween characters we have in the Just Jill Shop!
From witches to trick-or-treaters, we have a variety of carolers to choose from.
Decorations for Your Porch and Yard
Why keep all of your decor inside when you can share it with your neighbors? That’s half of the fun of Halloween! My husband Doug is in charge of this every year!
Snag one of these large faux spiders from Target and you’ll send a chill down the spine of anyone who walks by your home!
There are also these bats that you can hang from the trees in your front yard.
If you have kids at home (or a bunch in the neighborhood), they’ll go crazy for this inflatable spooky tree.
This inflatable arch is also fun. Just the right amount of spooky and a great way to show everyone where to go for their Trick-or-Treating candy!
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more subtle, look no further than this “Happy Halloween” doormat.
And while we’re on the porch, I want to show you this cute “Happy Halloween” sign.
It’s a simple decor item since you can easily prop it against the side of your home!
If you want to go super simple this year, you can always add some festive lights to your trees, bushes, or around your door.
I like these purple spider lights from Target!
Oh, and don’t forget the super spooky fog machine!
Activities to Celebrate Halloween at Home
Decorations will certainly put you in the Halloween mood.
But if you really want to make the most of the holiday, you can get the family together for a fun evening of festive activities.
Put New Halloween Candy to The Test
I found this idea on Delish and wanted to give it a share! Every year, new candy hits the shelves and some of it comes with seriously unique flavor profiles.
Put all of the new candy to the test with a Halloween at-home taste test!
You can even create notecards for your rankings. Will your tastebuds match up to everyone else’s?
Start a Halloween Scavenger Hunt
If you’re trying to get a little more active, you can get family and friends involved in a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt!
Not only is it engaging, but you can make it as short or as long as you need. You can also keep it indoors or extend it out into the neighborhood.
If you want to add a technical component to the search, it might be a fun idea to ask the scavengers to take photos and videos of their fun along the way!
A Creative Costume Contest
You can’t have a Halloween bash without a classic costume contest.
Even if you aren’t showing it off at a party or in the neighborhood, it’s bound to bring out everyone’s creativity.
If you’d like to add a new dimension to the contest, you can establish some rules. Here are some that might be interesting!
- Use things from around the house to create your costume.
- The costume has to be pop culture-based (movies, shows, celebs, etc.)
- Every participant has to choose an unknown costume from a bucket…
Engage in a Night of Ghosting
This idea has been around for a while.
It’s called “ghosting” (some people call it booing) and it’s a great way to get the entire neighborhood involved.
Start by making a bag or bin of goodies filled with candy, toys, or anything you have around the house. Next, include a note telling them to make their own for another neighbor.
When you get ghosted, put the letter in your window to let everyone know you’ve already been hit! That way, the entire neighborhood can receive a goodie bag.
My Favorite Halloween Movies and Treats
Nothing beats a classic Halloween Movie with the family. Some of my personal favorites include Hocus Pocus, E.T. and The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!
While watching your favorite spooky film, you can make some tasty Halloween treats that the whole family will love.
Halloween Charcuterie Board
I discovered this idea a few days ago and thought it was so creative. It’s kind of like my holiday charcuterie board but designed specifically for Halloween!
While you can change up the plate to include your favorite treats, Jennifer Maune added mini peanut butter cups, popcorn, jelly pumpkins, and more.
It gives you the chance to be creative while pleasing everyone with their go-to snacks!
Mummy Dogs
If you’re in need of something more substantial around dinner time, you might want to make a batch of these adorable Mummy Dogs from Served Up With Love.
With the crescent roll sheet laying flat, cut it into strips. Take a naked hot dog and wrap it with one of the strips, leaving a little space at the top for the eyes.
When all the hot dogs are wrapped, pop the baking sheet in the oven for 13-17 minutes on 375 degrees. Delish!
My Easy-To-Make Harvest Snack Mix
And of course, there’s my Harvest Mix that’s super easy to munch on if you’re sitting on the couch. You can find the recipe below.
Harvest Snack Mix
A delicious and addicting combination of salty, sweet and chocolate!
Ingredients
- 1 c. dry roasted peanuts
- 1 c. plain M&M's
- 1 c. candy corn
Instructions
- Mix together and eat by the handful!
It’s so simple you might want to make a couple of batches… You can also put it in Halloween goodie bags for your neighbors!
How do you plan to celebrate Halloween at home this year? Do you have some standout decorations or some fun-filled activities?
I’d love to hear your ideas before the 31st!
From my Halloween home to yours,
Jill
Did you know I have my own online shop? Check it out HERE!
