Halloween decorations are one of the funnest purchases this time of year. Getting to laugh at things that once made us scared and making fun versions of terrifying things somehow inspire us. It can be difficult to know what and where to start with decorating but Holiday Display Tips is here for you.
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History before getting to Halloween Decorations
Halloween originated as Samhain in Celtic beliefs “when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts“. The costumes were never meant to scare others but rather to blend in with any spirits roaming around. It was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was thin enough at that time of year. Over time, as beliefs about not being scared continued, more playful aspects also grew to be the norm. Lots of winding history and hearsay later, and here we are at where we are.
What decorations are associated with Halloween?
The importance of skeletons is obvious from the history with the historic links to the dead. While the idea of bones staying together without tissue is fanciful, it is still the common view this time of year
The nineteen inch skeleton above is posable (yes I looked it up to see if that’s how you spell it) and so it can fit almost anywhere. Bats are the next most obvious decoration as they are nocturnal, fast, and blend in well.
Bats fit with the modern concepts of mixing fun and scary, this lighted one is easy to set up and store away. The flatness means it can slide under a couch or bed and the USB plugin allows for easily turning it on.
Ghosts are a natural connection after the skeleton due to the belief that it would be the next step.Burial shrouds clinging on to those roaming the earth was a way to connect them with having back from the dead. These ghosts are handy little pathway markers to your door with solid stakes.
Witches are the bridge from the fun to scary. They are not historically viewed whimsically, even though they are linked with Halloween, due to them being considered dangerous. This particular form of a witch has become very normal in recent years and is a quick way to get an eye-catching setup.
What are the most popular decorations for Halloween?
Some of the most popular decorations hinge on Halloween spider webs. DIY cobwebs and spiders are a common theme in kids Halloween projects. These links are to the easiest setup possible. You will stretch it wherever you want it and that’s it, spiders already installed and no plug in needed.
How can I make my house look good on Halloween?
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When should we decorate for Halloween?
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How do I decorate for Halloween on a budget?
The cheapest ways to make a big impact are hanging bats and ghosts, or to use strings of mini lights. They are both economical and easy to shove in a box for the next year. While they take extra time for setup, the time saved in storage afterwards and money saved upfront can be appealing.
What’s the easiest way to have a big impact with my Halloween decorations?
Inflatable are always the easiest way to have a big impact. Make sure to see my blog on Inflatable FAQ, my instagram posts of instructional videos (how to secure, how to repair, and the basics of inflatables)and other inflatable related things (“Can I leave it on non-stop“, “do they use a lot of electricity“, “are they difficult to maintain“, and “how to protect from the rain“). Getting to the point, inflatables only need to be secured into the ground and plugged in to make an effect. They range from 3 feet tall to double digit heights and the ones below range in costs from $30-$270. So here they are in order of price
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This vampire with coffin can double as a cooler is useful for parties, candy for trick or treaters. This walks the line of a scary topic of a monster while being innocuous enough for kids to be around.
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Next up is the dragon skeleton. To be honest, I wan’t sure at first glance if this was cool or weird…maybe both? A fire breathing dragon is a bit scary and it being apparently undead definitely ups that a few notches. This remains a kid friendly cool option for a big seven foot effect
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Red eyes on the one above compensate for the multicoloured mane coming off of the unicorn skeleton. It’s a bit bigger and more expensive than the last but even safer choice if you’re concerned about scaring kids.
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Finally, the eleven foot cat relies on the cultural assumptions that black cats are evil or at least bad luck. These inflatables are all great ways to create a huge effect in seconds while storing away easily.
What are the best Halloween decorations if I live in an apartment building or just want a subtle effect?
If you have a table within sight of the front door or just want to decorate a table, the decoration below is for you. It wins on two fronts, both the animated effects and the way it checks off several boxes for Halloween decorations. Jack O’Lanterns, skeletons, mummies, witches, creepy trees and fall foliage is the catch all for whatever you like at Halloween.
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A halloween tradition for some is to create pranks to try and scare others. The following three examples will give a range of responses from screams to laughter and maybe both.
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This automated hand will move when you go to pick out candy and will make a sound. This will work fine if you leave the bowl outside the door for trick or treaters, have family that steal your candy, etc.
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The posters above are a prank you can play by putting it on your bathroom door. Also, try putting on a door that’s visible to an exterior window to put a smile on a neighbours face.
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Rounding things out is a sunshade for your car. A realistic picture on the shade is of Mike Myers driving, which most likely give a laugh to your neighbours.
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