Get into the Halloween Spirit

Trendy Decorating Ideas to Un-Haunt Your House

Halloween is one of the biggest decorating holidays of the year, second only to Christmas. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 60 percent of people plan to purchase decorations and 47 percent expect to decorate their home or yard this year. With everyone getting into the Halloween spirit, make your house stand apart from your neighbors’ by keeping in mind this year’s trends.

“Making homes festive with creative Halloween decorations can be easy and fun for everyone from beginners to advanced crafters,” says Susan Atchison, trend expert for Jo-Ann Stores. “This season, cute is in and creepy is out. Gone are the days of menacing mummies or frightening felines. Cute spiders, goofy monsters and playful witches will be especially hot. Also, décor adorned with sunny and unexpected color pairings such as royal purple mixed with hot green, pink and jack-o’-lantern orange will add extra personality to the inside and outside of your home.”

If you’re in the mood to embrace the charming side of Halloween this year, check out these easy ideas from Jo-Ann Stores to add a playful and creative touch to your un-haunted house -- inside and out:

* Show your trendy side by dressing your table with vibrantly colored place settings that feature friendly spiders made from basic shapes with large animated eyes.

* Accent your mantle with spider votive holders on a yarn table runner to add quirky distinction to party décor.

* For Halloween entertaining, give your guests goofy handmade spider boxes filled with goodies and treats. With wiggle eyes and bright, glittery colors, these little favors are gifts your guests won’t soon forget! (See instructions in sidebar.)

* Greet guests and trick-or-treaters with a festive door wreath made with silly monster and jack-o’-lantern faces in a rainbow of colors.

* Colorful lights aren’t just for Christmas anymore. Use strings of lights to decorate outdoor trees and bushes for Halloween. For a fun, friendly feel, add lively and unexpected hues of green and magenta with traditional orange and blacks to bring fresh life to your outdoor lighting.

* Post unique stakes in the yard featuring cute character cutouts to welcome guests (instead of scaring them away!)

* Let kids make their own personalized treat bags this year by easily stitching two pieces of black felt together with a strip at the top for a handle. Glue on ears, eyes and whiskers to make a black cat or use green and orange felt to create a pumpkin.

For more advice and a variety of the latest indoor and outdoor decorating products and projects for Halloween, stop by your local Jo-Ann fabric and craft store.

Spider Favor Boxes

Supplies and Tools (for one favor box):

One 2 inch paper mache box
7 inches of 5/8 inch dotted ribbon, optional
4 Chenille stems cut to 6 to 8 inches, black
Glitter, examples use black, green and purple
Tacky glue
Two 10mm wiggle eyes
Two 1/2 inch black pompoms
Black spray paint
Wire cutters
Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spray paint box and lid.
2. For legs: Make one small hole on each opposite side of box near bottom. Poke chenille stems through holes in box, extending out both sides. Shape legs and make small loop at end for foot.
3. Spread glue on lid top and top of feet, sprinkle with glitter; set aside to dry.
4. Glue pompoms to lid, then glue eyes to tops of pompoms.
5. Fill boxes with favorite treats.

Optional: Glue ribbon around side of box lid.

Skill Level: No experience needed
Approximate Crafting Time: 30 minutes plus drying time

Courtesy of ARA Content