DIY: Halloween Decorations on a Budget

by | Updated: October 22nd, 2018 | Read time: 3 minutes

It’s time, once again, to prepare your home for Halloween! Although the cost of cobwebs, cauldrons and creepy candlesticks can add up rather quickly, budgeting for All Hallows’ Eve decorations doesn’t have be frightening. Instead, scare up some simple items from around the house and turn them into bootiful seasonal décor!

Following are some eerily cost-effective ways to dress up your dwelling for less this Halloween:

Person Crafting Frankenstein Halloween Decor From Upcycled Can | Vitacost.com/Blog

Transform old cans into spooky Halloween vases

The next time your recipe calls for canned ingredients (canned pumpkin is especially popular this time of year), save the cans for holiday crafting!

What you’ll need: Cans, Halloween-themed scrapbook paper, glue, scissors

What to do: Cut and glue the scrapbook paper around the cans to create festive vases. Fill with water and fresh fall flowers (or frightening fake flowers, such as black roses) and position in small groupings throughout your haunted house!

Feeling inspired? Skip the scrapbook paper and use your own (or your kiddo’s) Halloween drawings instead!

Upcycled Wine Bottles Made into Ghosts for Halloween | Vitacost.com/Blog

Turn empty wine bottles into decorative ghosts

This simple project allows you to transform empty wine bottles into “bottles of boos!”

What you’ll need: Empty wine bottles, white spray paint, masking tape, permanent marker, X-Acto knife

What to do: Soak the bottles in water to remove the labels. Use the masking tape to create a large square on the front of each bottle and cover each cork with tape (so they won’t get painted permanently into place). Use the marker to draw ghost faces on the masking tape squares. Then use the X-Acto knife to cut around the edges of the ghosts’ features. Remove any excess tape and apply several coats of white spray paint, allowing approximately 20 minutes to dry between coats. When dry, carefully peel off the tape and say hello to your new homemade spirits.

Not a fan of vino? Not a problem. Use balsamic vinegar bottles instead!

Halloween Jack-o'-Lanterns made from Mason Jars | Vitacost.com/Blog

Transform mason jars into jack-o’-lantern candleholders

Nothing says Halloween quite like jack-o’-lanterns. Make your own jack-o’-lantern candleholders in just a few easy steps!  

What you’ll need: Mason jars, foam brush, orange crepe paper, black construction paper, green ribbon, decoupage glue, votive candles, scissors

What to do: Tear the crepe paper into small strips and use the scissors to cut the construction paper into facial features for the jack-o’-lanterns. Use the brush to coat the jars with glue. Cover each jar with the crepe paper strips and apply a second coat of glue. Add the facial features and allow to dry. Use the ribbon to create a bow around the rim of each jar. After the jars are completely dry, place a votive candle inside each and light ‘em up!

Another idea? Trade the orange crepe paper for white crepe paper, invest in a few large googly eyes and follow this process to create Halloween mummies instead!

Cut Felt Parts to Create Halloween Witch on Upcycled Juice Boxes | Vitacost.com/Blog

Turn old juice boxes into mini monsters

Does your little guy or ghoul leave empty juice boxes lying around the house? If so, this final Halloween craft will breathe new life into those discarded drink holders!

What you’ll need: Juice boxes, several colors of felt, rice, reclosable sandwich bags, tape, hot glue/gun, scissors

What to do: Use the scissors to cut open the top of each juice box. Fill the sandwich bags with a half cup of rice and then seal them, taking care to first rid the bags of any remaining air. Place a bag of rice inside each juice box and use the tape to reseal the tops. Coat each juice box with hot glue and wrap the felt around it, leaving the bottom exposed so it can stand properly. Cut out facial features, fangs and any other embellishments that appeal to you and glue them onto the felt “face.”

Want to give your mini monsters a little extra flair? You can never go wrong with glitter!

Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our top 5 recipes for a healthier Halloween.