Halloween Decorations

Whether you have no decorations yet, or you are tired of the ones you hang up year after year, it's easy to add some new Halloween decorations to get in the spirit of the holiday. Some decorations are better inside, while some are better outside. Most people like decorating the outside of the house in a scary-looking way to entertain the trick-or-treaters that come by.

• Pumpkins and gourds: Pumpkins and gourds always make great decorations on their own, carved as a jack-o'-lantern, or after you spice them up a little. Get creative with pumpkins and gourds to add some decorations to your home.
• Kids artwork: When your child brings home a hand-drawn Halloween picture or a craft from school, go ahead and use it as a decoration. Your child will be proud that you like it enough to display it in the home. Also, if they're not making things at school, have them draw pictures or make crafts at home. Frame hand-drawn Halloween pictures from your kids for a great picture to put on the wall.
• Black light: Black lights are a great way to make creepy decorations, especially outside. Remember that white objects glow best. Look online for ideas of what to make glow under a black light.
• Paper mache: Most of used paper mache sometime while we were in school or growing up. The easiest way is to blow up a balloon for a base. Try making creatures from the paper mache, like black cats or bats, or some kind of monster or jack-o'-lantern.
• Decorations to buy: Stores often sell Halloween decorations. Good decorations for outside are flags and banners, as well as fake spider webs and anything else that you could figure out how to hang up. Some stores sell rugs that make noises when they are stepped on—perfect for scaring a trick-or-treater. Fog machines are more expensive than most decorations, but they do a great job making your house look creepy.
• Make crafts: Crafts make fun, inexpensive, and sentimental decorations. Pull out crafts that you or child has made in years' past, or go ahead and make some new ones.

The best decoration ideas usually come from a bit of brainstorming and creativity. If you think of something during another time of the year, go ahead and write it down—that way you'll have a new decoration once Halloween rolls around.