Trick or Treat, Chaotic or Neat…
Make Your Halloween Unique (On A Budget!)

closeup of a pumpkin sitting in the grass

Halloween is one of the most fun holidays for people who love decorating. However it can get expensive if you buy a lot of ready-made products to make your home spooky.

Luckily, it’s easy to create a spectacular Halloween look with the things that are already in your home. DIY is less expensive than buying decor from a store, it’s also more environmentally friendly thanks to the ability to reuse and recycle. Best of all, it will give you a Halloween look that is unique!

1. DIY Halloween Costumes

Take a look through your closet to see if you already have a good base for a fun costume. Some of the most classic Halloween costumes are easy to make on your own. Be a ghost with a white sheet, a witch with all-black clothing, or a princess with an old, formal gown.

You can get even more creative, while still keeping things simple. A red and white striped shirt, glasses, and a hat will turn you into Waldo of Where’s Waldo fame. Overalls and a red or green shirt make for an easy Mario or Luigi. Pairing a fuzzy sweater with ears and a tail is the easiest cat costume around.

You can reuse a lot of these pieces again, so there’s no need for a single-use Halloween costume!

kids costume diy of ghost with kid holding leaves

2. DIY Halloween Goodies

Having a get-together or throwing a party for Halloween? It’s a perfect time to show off your creative side with unique candies and treats. For a lot of these, you can use what you already have in your pantry.

For example, here is a simple, spooky treat that is easy to make — poke marshmallows onto creepy-looking twigs (cleaned of course), then dip the marshmallow in dark chocolate. Decorate the chocolate-covered marshmallows with orange and green sprinkles.

You can quickly turn a white-powdered donut into a sweet version of a Halloween pumpkin by swirling orange icing on top. For an added touch, stick a green chocolate candy in to form a stem.

For a healthier snack that’s just as easy to make, use Halloween-themed cookie cutters to cut cheese, fruit, and sandwiches into ghastly shapes.
Whether you’re making lots of treats for a party, or making your kids smile with a spooky snack, get the most out of things you already have, giving them a Halloween twist.

3. DIY Halloween Decor

Store-bought Halloween decor can add up to a lot of money. Using what you already have saves money, and still makes a spooky atmosphere.

Ghosts come together quickly with balloons and white fabric or cheesecloth. Blow up the balloons and drape the fabric over. Secure the fabric at the bottom.

Some clever cuts turn trash bags into spider webs, perfect for hanging up in a window or doorway!

While you are going through your belongings looking for those with potential for Halloween DIY, you may come across all kinds of things that you don’t use anymore. Donate unused clothes, toys, books, and more through PickupPlease.org to support Vietnam vets and their families.