As October 31st approaches, many people like to get into the holiday spirit by setting out Halloween yard decorations and front porch décor.
Halloween Outdoor Decorating Ideas
Her are some scary front-yard decoration and home décor ideas. Combine several of these ideas for the lawn and porch for an overall creepy effect on Halloween night.
Scary Front Yard Decorations for Halloween
Here are three Halloween front yard decorating ideas that are sure to scare trick-or-treaters:
- Fake trick-or-treater – Fashion a realistic, life-size child holding a candy basket. To completely hide the fakeness, dress the doll like a ghost.
- Scarecrow – This can be friendly or scary based on the scarecrow’s facial expression. Put a smile on its face for a friendly look or a creepy smile with pointy teeth for a scary feel.
- Ghost in Tree – The last thing a little kid wants to see on Halloween is a life-like ghost. Scare them to bits by floating a fake ghost from a prominent tree in the front yard.
Holiday Décor Idea – Decorate for Halloween with Luminaries
As trick-or-treaters make their way to the front door, give them a lighted path with luminaries. Creating luminaries is simple.
- Punch designs with a hammer & screwdriver or nails into the sides of empty cans (paint, coffee, beans). To do this, simply tape a pattern to the outside of a clean can, then punch holes to outline the design.
- Illuminate with a candle or battery-powered light source.
One alternative is to use a white paper bag filled with kitty litter or gravel for stability; however, this type of luminary would be highly flammable.
Spooky Front Porch Décor for Halloween – Creepy Spider Webs, Cauldrons, Skeletons
When trick-or-treaters arrive at the front door, give them something to be leery of. Consider incorporating at least two of the scary front porch décor ideas below to round out the effect.
- Halloween Holiday Wreath – Decorate a wreath with white and orange lights plus foam cutouts like ghosts, bats, pumpkins, and moons.
- Seasonal Doormat – Repurpose a plain doormat using paint and a neat Halloween stencil.
- Creepy Witch Cauldron – Simply stand a straw broom next to a large cast-iron pot with a handle. It will look like a witch lives in the home. The pot can double as a candy holder on Halloween night. For added fun, instruct children to reach inside the large cauldron to retrieve candy from the witch all on their own.
- Scary Front Door – Cover the front door with orange plastic, drape a fake spider web over the orange backdrop, and place a large fake spider right in the middle of the web. For added effect, consider draping a fake spider web near the top corner of a porch overhang. Alternatively, drape spider webs over shrubs or use a skeleton on the door instead of a spider web.
- Frightening Doorbell – Affix a spider just above or below the doorbell. When trick-or-treaters stop by, wait until they ring the bell to answer the door.
Halloween Holiday Decorations – Complete the Look with a Carved Pumpkin
Decorating the front yard and porch with spider webs and ghosts is only one way to incorporate the Halloween spirit outdoors. Don’t forget to carve a pumpkin for the front porch as well. Consider scary pumpkin patterns, fall theme pumpkin templates, or download Disney pumpkin stencils for a home with young children.
Resources:
- Halloween Decorating by Cowles Creative Publishing. ISBN: 0-86573-415-1.
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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