Autumn and Halloween are fun times to get creative and crafty. Here are a few favorite quick and inexpensive ways to help you jumpstart your creativity! They are all included in my A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2, available on Amazon.
Paper fans and cut outs
Instead of carving a pumpkin, paint one!
Host a Wonderland Tea Party using mismatched fun stuff!
Button bouquet made with buttons, wire and glue
Grab a stick of charcoal and piece of paper and create a monochromatic sketch for your Halloween decor. By eliminating color, you focus on the value (light and dark) qualities making it simpler to learn drawing techniques.
Create costumes using inexpensive material and clothing you already own.
Rag garlands are a fun way to add color and texture to your decorating. You can buy fabric, use up your stash or even cut up old tablecloths, costumes and decor. Cut or tear strips and tie to a rope or heavy twine.
Turn thrift store treasures into autumn decor and party games like this Halloween-themed fairy doll house that can be used to hold the prized from a scavenger hunt.
Haunted farmhouse beanbag game, using recycled boxes and cans – it’s super inexpensive and fun to make!
Showcase past Halloweens by creating a family tree, made from gathered branches, fall leaves and photo ornaments that you create with scrapbook paper and copies of favorite photos.
No need to wait until Christmas to enjoy your family heritage foods. Here we highlight our Scottish roots with a Macbeth-style feast. No I didn’t attempt haggis for this, no one makes it like Scottish chefs!
Do something nice for neighbors or the community. These treats were sent to deployed soldiers (some of which were probably trick-or-treating just a few Halloweens previously.)
Silly old cats can be used for a beanbag knock off game, placed in a basket or as shelf sitters keeping an eye on things. The first set of cats I made were all black. I like the variety here.
Add lunch box jokes for your littles!
Don’t forget healthy treats – these Cuties make great snacks, party food and trick or treat handouts.
And here are a few ways I’ve used my Halloween stash to decorate my house this year. When we moved to Missouri last autumn, I gave my daughter Heather a carful of Halloween decor to take back to California. I have a bigger house and less stuff now so I’m stretching…
I’ve had this cloche for 15 years (how is that possible?) This Halloween it’s outfitted with the cutest resin Jack in a nest surrounded by ceramic balls with old type letters. A black bow adds a fun finish.
This autumn fireplace mantelscape features one of my art school studio paintings, thrifted iron candlesticks and lots of saved foliage, some of it over 25 years old!
I love this funky collage in a metal basket hanging in the ladies’ room. The garland was from Michael’s and the plaque was from Hobby Lobby when they used to sell Halloween things 😉
Another centerpiece with a folk art figure and vintage-style candles with pumpkins, eucalyptus and dried botanicals. When real pumpkins hit the market, the faux ones will get swapped out.
An Americana crow perches on the primitive pumpkin. They are a fun contrast to the more formal beaded table scarf on our new coffee table.
This wreath is made of old garlands attached to a wire frame and adorned with ornaments, thrift store stars and picks
The entertainment center got some repurposed fall foliage.
A basket of autumn enhances the fireplace. I might add Halloween items, but maybe not – this can stay just the way it is until Thanksgiving.
Here’s another metal basket made into a crazy collage with a retro pumpkin and doll house things.
An old urn is the base for this decor which can’t be outside – rain will melt it! It’s a work in progress…
My favorite Christmas wreath got a gothic makeover with this glittery spiky garland, complete with bats and spiders. It reminds me of an old church grave yard.
A Christmas pencil tree does double duty as a display for autumn and Halloween things.
Remember to download your A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2 from Amazon and enjoy the amazing recipes, fun Halloween activities and autumn celebrations – all while saving money and letting your creative spirit soar!
For en utmerket artikkel! Å lese den var virkelig lærerikt for meg. Du ga ekstremt godt organisert materiale, og dine forklaringer var både klare og korte. Din tid og energi brukt på forskning og skriving av denne artikkelen er sterkt verdsatt. Enhver som er interessert i dette emnet vil uten tvil dra nytte av denne ressursen.
Norwegian:”What an excellent article! Reading it was really educational for me. You provided extremely well-organized material, and your explanations were both clear and brief. Your time and energy spent on researching and writing this article are greatly appreciated. Anyone interested in this topic will no doubt benefit from this resource.”
– Thank you
Your blog post was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Thank you for brightening my mood!
I’m so glad my blog brought you joy. Cheers!
Your post is both informative and interesting; I appreciate it. You have a way with words that simplifies even the most difficult subjects. This article taught me a lot, and I will be using it again and again. You are doing an excellent job.
For en fremragende skrivejobb! Både grundigheten og klarheten i din analyse er sterkt verdsatt. Dine data var både praktiske og relevante. Dette er en artikkel jeg vil komme tilbake til på et senere tidspunkt. Din kunnskap og innsikt er sterkt verdsatt.
Translation – “What an outstanding writing job! Both the thoroughness and clarity of your analysis are greatly appreciated. Your data was both practical and relevant. This is an article I will return to at a later date. Your knowledge and insight is greatly appreciated.”
Thank you, I appreciate your compliment.
Your blog post was like a warm hug on a cold day. Thank you for spreading positivity and kindness through your words.
Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content
This post is very enlightening! Your clear and concise writing style makes it easy to grasp even the more complex aspects of the topic. I appreciate the practical tips and examples you provided. Thank you for taking the time to create such a valuable resource.