Today while driving down the street I noticed there were many homes with Halloween decorations in the yard. My first thought was, “WOW — what fun they had decoration and preparing for Halloween!”
Decorations bring the spirit of fun, excitement and celebration to Halloween festivities. Halloween is a time to build lasting memories of fun times with family and friends.
Today I would like to share with you some of my favorite Halloween ideas that I have done though the years.
Try this for a creative centerpiece on a table for Halloween. Make then Bewitching Witches with many of the items that you have around the house.
Bewitching Witches
Make a short fat witch and a tall skinny witch.
- 5 rolls bathroom tissue (pale green or white)
- Poster board (black and pale green)
- 1 yard Halloween fabric (for dresses)
- Puff paints or permanent markers (black and orange)
- Black raffia
- 2 craft witch hats
- 1/2 yard (1/8″ wide) ribbon
- 2 small craft pumpkins
- Shredded metallic paper
- 1 yard (3/8″wide) orange ribbon
- 1/4 yard black nylon netting
- Scissors
- Glue gun
For the tall witch, glue 2 rolls of toilet tissue together to make a body. Use 1 roll for the short witch’s body. For each witch, cut a piece of black posterboard in the shape of feet and glue it to the underside of the roll, allowing the feet to show.
To make a dress for the short witch, cut a piece of Halloween fabric 24″ wide and 6″ long. For the tall witch, cut the fabric 24″ wide and 10-1/2″ long. Stitch a 1/2″ hem in the bottom and a 1/2″ hem in the top of each piece of dress fabric. Sew the short sides together. Run a gathering stitch on the long side, gather, and glue to the top of the body.
Cut hands from the pale green poster board and arms from the black poster board, adding 1″ to the top of each arm to create a flap. Glue the hands to the arms. Bend down the 1″ flap at the top of each arm and use these flaps to glue the arms onto the top of the torso. For each witch, cut a piece of black posterboard in the shape of feet and glue it to the underside of the roll, allowing the feet to show.
Floating Hand
This icy hand will give your guests a start!
- Pair of powder-free surgical gloves*
- Water, juice, or soda
- Razor blade
- Dry ice** (optional)
Wash the inside of a surgical glove and fill it with water or other liquid. Tie a knot or rubber band at the top. Freeze until solid. Carefully cut slits down the fingers and hand with a razor blade. Peel away the glove, being careful not to break off the fingers. Float the hand in very cold punch or put it wherever your imagination takes it. For an extra spooky effect, put dry ice in the punch, but be sure not to serve the dry ice.
* You may want to purchase latex-free gloves since many people are allergic to latex.
**CAUTION: Dry ice should only be handled by adults, and adults should be present at all times!
Dry ice needs to be handled with caution, because it is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Always use gloves to handle it because you can get burned badly. Do not allow children to handle dry ice. A hammer is useful to break the large pieces into smaller ones.
Some neighborhoods have friendly decorating contests during Halloween. It’s a great time of year to make friends with some neighbors you may not know. Give your friends, family and neighbors a sight that will lift their day and get them into the spirit of this fun and exciting celebration.
