Decorating Guides

Halloween Decorating Guides

Amongst the falling leaves and colorful landscape is a chill in the air that’s not just mother nature. It’s a haunting aura that’s a precursor to Halloween. Besides that, there’s the desire to decorate in a unique way that will make your home or yard super scary.

The following guides will help you creep it up for a party or trick-or treaters. With traditional or homemade decorations and a few properly placed props, you’ll be set up for a frightfully fun Halloween.

Halloween Party Decorating Ideas
* Get your party on with an array of ideas for decor that's suitable for outdoor or indoor displays.

Carving a Jack-O-Lantern
* How to pick the best pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and carve it up into a perfect jack-o-lantern decoration.

Fog Machines
* They're now very affordable props and easy to use! Learn all you need to know when buying and operating a fog machine.

How to Make a Scarecrow
* Using common household items, you can add an extra guest to your party with a homemade scarecrow that will surely create a buzz.

How to Make a Scarecrow

Traditionally, scarecrows were set up in gardens and fields to keep unwanted birds -- particularly crows, away from the crop. Now people are making scarecrows for their annual autumn Halloween decorations. Instructions are easy!

Homemade scarecrows can be quite fashionable and eye-catching. Choose bold colors and set up a display with corn stalks and bales of hay. Get creative, get the kids involved, use your imagination and make a scary scarecrow! The more menacing he looks, the more of a conversation piece he will be.

Supplies for Your Homemade Scarecrow

* Long-sleeved shirt
* Old pair of pants or jeans - preferably with patches
* Old pair of socks or boots
* Gardening gloves
* Straw hat
* Plenty of baling twine or string
* Safety pins
* A pillowcase or pumpkin for the head
* Fiberfill, newspapers, rags, or straw for stuffing
* Pencil, paint and markers for face
* Stakes (optional)

Assembly

To assemble your scarecrow, firmly tie the ends of the pants and sleeves on the shirt and stuff them with your choice of stuffing. Stuff the socks and gloves and tie on the ends. Fasten the socks (or boots) and gloves to the pants and shirt on the inside with safety pins (or bent paper clips.) Tuck the shirt into the pants.

If you're using a pumpkin for the head, it's best to carve it into a jack-o-lantern to take off some of the weight. It will take some wire to fasten it. A pillowcase works better and is far easier to attach to the body. Use a pencil and draw on the face. Follow up with the paint and markers to give him facial features. Then stuff the pillowcase and fasten it to the body with safety pins.

Top off your scarecrow with a hat. A straw hat gives it a classic look. Fasten the hat firmly so it doesn't blow off on windy days.

You can sit your scarecrow on the bales, or prop him up against them. Consider attaching him to some stakes with a hammer and nails to have him in an upright position.

Now, give your scarecrow decoration a name and enjoy. When the season is over, store him in a dry place for next Fall.