CREATIVE HALLOWEEN

I'm a big fan of Halloween. When else can you dress up like someone else for the night? I tend to fall in the old school camp, more "Psycho" and "The Birds" vs. "Scary Movie". For parties, I skip the crepe paper and plastic plates and instead choose vintage items that have an inherently creepy feel to them.

Here's some of my favorite Halloween inspiration...

 

Specimen jars are easy to make. Grab some canisters and fill with your favorite treats. A lot of sites, like Martha Stewart Living have fantastic labels you can download.

I love adding bugs, mice,  rats and spiders to Halloween buffets. It adds to the creepiness factor. Just make sure not to add too many. I once baked a cake and covered the whole thing in flies. Needless to say no one touched it!

I tried this for a party a few years ago, it was a huge hit and didn't take a lot of time. Look for a cabbage that looks like a brain and cut down a fennel bulb to look like a heart. Grab some cool containers and some blue and red food dye and you're set.

(All previous images courtesy of Martha Stewart Living)

Here are a few ideas if you're short on time...

Crepe Paper Wreath

(Image courtesy of Country Living)

Glue Gun Spider Webs

(Image courtesy of Martha Stewart Living)

Carve or paint a pumpkin

 (Image courtesy of Good Housekeeping)

Other ideas...

1. Grab some white sheets at your local thrift store and cover all your furniture. Buy a ton of pillar candles and set them around the room for an eerie glow. Best of all no worries about spills or wax on your furniture.

2. Get some cheese cloth, shred and hang from the ceiling. Dip in tea first for an aged look.

3. Scour eBay for some black china and containers to add to your buffet. 

4. Pick a dark color scheme. Set out a plate of plums, grapes, blackberries, pears, etc. 

Here's my 15 minute vintage Halloween display using plants and items from previous years...

 

What's your favorite part of Halloween?