Last Minute Halloween Decor Tips
Today I’ll share how I pulled off my Halloween decorating in just a few hours simply by keeping a small “stash” of decor on hand every year. Most of this can be reused for upcoming holidays as well. I really get into Halloween and all holiday for my kids’ sake, I love making memories for them.
The Front Porch:
Front porch trick-or-treat vignette.
Tip #1: Use Free Printables
I love visiting Karen at The Graphics Fairy. She offers a variety of royalty-free Halloween printables to choose from. The skull picture can be found here and here you can download the bat chandelier. So fun!
Other ideas for a quick, ghoulish display:
- Replace Family Photos: Use frames with existing pictures and temporarily replace family photos
- Mason jars always make a good photo display – just drop in a printable for some added Halloween flair
- Spanish Moss: I find this is a good decorating “staple” to keep year-round. But it is very effective at Halloween, too
- Dead Flowers: You can never go wrong with a dead or dying bouquet of flowers. I just happened to have my roses from Sweetest Day, it worked out perfectly.
- Tea Lights: Pictured above – these can be found in the wedding section at your local craft store, but having them on-hand for the rest of the holiday season is always a treat
Need some free silhouettes? I’ve got you covered…just become a subscriber for instant access to my free downloads.

Tip #2: Keep a Decor Stash
Such as:
Faux Spider Webs — these are only a couple bucks. I keep several bags (pick them up after Halloween)
Green, Purple or Orange Tissue Paper (to line windows, making a “haunted house”)
Green, Purple or Orange Light Bulbs – replacing the interior lights
Black Construction Paper – silhouettes can be freehanded easily or downloaded if you need a ghoulish figure standing in the corner.
Chalkboard signs (to make a ghoulish greeting) — this is great for year-round use
Glow sticks — use for trick or treat — or even as a stir stick for a fun holiday party
Ropes / nets — (also great for beachy vignettes in the summertime)
Glitter Spray Paints – in case something needs a new look or touch up
I don’t let my perfectionist tendencies take over. I let the kids have fun with this “holiday” and decorate until their hearts are content. They were so proud of themselves with their spider web creations:
Tip #3: Keep a costume stash
I’ve attended numerous school costume parades for my kids, which caused me to start keeping items that I thought we could re-use as a family. My stash has saved me many last minute trips to the store.
- Wigs: Brushed out and put away in their original packaging
- Masks: Especially the high-quality ones. I clean them out with a Clorox wipe before putting them away.
- Props: Even when your kids are toddlers, save their props. Think tiaras & crowns, nightsticks, police badges, magic wands, glasses & goggles. These can become reusable items as they get older, and sometimes undersized is even funnier.
- Distinguishable Clothing Items: Think Capes & White Lab Jackets
- Makeup: Red lipstick / black eyeliner / white eyeliner.
- Stuffed Animals: You never know when you’ll need a pet as a sidekick to complement your outfit.
- Clearance items from the previous season. I simply buy and store them until next year.
Thanks to my stash, we pulled off some great costumes this year, mostly out-of-the-box:
We were a black & white silent film couple. Our previous Halloween craziness using our “stash”.
Hope you enjoy Halloween as much as we do!
Cheers!
Great costumes and looks like tons of fun too.
How fun!! The vignette looks great! Thanks for the shout out!
Karen