Lots of easy and thrifty ideas here to inexpensively creepify your House with Dollar Tree Supplies.
I got rid of nearly all of our Halloween Decorations prior to a large move and have been regretting it since. I set out to make our front porch and yard spooky on a small budget and this is what I came up with.
Some projects were inspired by Pinterest with my spin added and some thought up by me. All were fun, simple, and budget friendly. {****The projects from Pinterest have been done by so many people and shared so many times that it was hard to determine who the original poster was – if you are the original idea behind one of these projects please comment or shoot me a message and I will gladly give credit where credit is due****}
(Short YouTube Halloween Slideshow that features these as well as a couple other projects here on my Lovensthelife Channel.)
You can read through all of the tutorials or skip to each one individually below.
Projects in this Tutorial
Ok…..Let’s Create!
Window Pool Noodle Candles
I have seen such beautifully done candle arrangements with pool noodles but I just needed something slender for my front windows. Since it was going to sit down inside the window it didn’t need to be on something pretty so this was a simple little project.
Supplies List
- Pool Noodle
- Black Spray Paint
- 2 Paint Sticks
- Hot Glue
- Super 77 Spray Adhesive
- Razor Knife
- Kitchen Knife
- Battery Operated Candles
Instructions
First I cut the pool noodles to varied sizes. I tried it all but found the kitchen knife to be the item that worked the best for cutting them.
Next you are going to cut out your hole for the tealight to sit down in. Using the tealight as a template make a circle indent in one end of the pool noodle. Then cut out a hole large enough for the candle to fit down inside as far as you would like it. I used the knife for the circle shape and then sort of just ripped it out with my fingers until I could get the candle in there.
Next using a hot glue gun make faux candle drips. This was the most time consuming part of the project.
For the base, since it was going to be sitting down inside a window and didn’t need to be pretty, I just grabbed two home depot paint sticks (can’t beat free). Then you will cut the paint sticks down to size. My hubby was actually out in the garage helping with another project and he just used a razor knife to cut them.
Next we glued the candles to the paint stick with Super 77. My windows are really slender so they barely fit lined up in a row so staggering them wasn’t much of an option. In fact, the one I did stagger more I had to smash in there.
In hindsight, I wish I would have built a base that had some height to it or would have made the candles taller. I ended up building them up on little created risers out of cereal boxes so that they would show up nice through the window. I covered them with cloth just as a temporary solution as I am running out of decorating time before Halloween. In lieu of the paint sticks, especially if height is what you want, you could create a more permanent base out of cereal boxes or other cardboard (another great free option), paint it, and glue the candles on top. I may end up doing just that myself.
Once your candles are secured to your base of choice give it a layer of color. I chose black but have seen some really cool ones in red and purple too.
Finally, add battery operated tealights and enjoy.
I am still a little amazed at how real these look.
Skeleton Windchime
Supplies List
- Skeleton
- Web Basket
- Twine
- Scissors
Instructions
The first step is to take apart your skeleton. The one from the Dollar Tree just pulled apart very easily.
Next add a hanger to the top of the basket. I chose twine as it seemed the most likely material someone making a bone windchime might use. Eeek.
Finally I tied each of the bones in varied lengths to the inside of the basket. It turned out super creepy which was my goal and what I really love about it.
It’s creepy both DAY and NIGHT!
Skeleton Cages
Supplies List
- 4 Mesh Baskets
- Skeletons, Skulls, Bones, and/or Eyeballs –
- For the 4 baskets we did we used:
- 4 mini skeletons
- A few mini skulls
- 2 bird skeletons
- 1 skeleton
- 1 kkull
- Some bouncy eyeballs
- For the 4 baskets we did we used:
- Twine
- Zip ties
- Scissors
Instructions
First up we decided what went in each of the 4 cages. Aside from the little skulls and eyeballs we zip tied the other items in so they would not shift. My kids had tons of fun with this project as well. Their innocence at the current ages makes doing an extra spooky Halloween this year doable.
Next we zip tied the cages together and added twine to the top to hang them.
So easy and the creep appeal is pretty spectacular.
Skull Bouquet
Supplies List
I needed something to sit between the chairs on the milk jug but was running out of time to tie up this project so wanted something super simple. This was my solution.
- Halloween Florals
- Skull
- Razor Knife
- Sand or rocks
Instructions
First cut a hole in the top of the skull. I got a little carried away. A much smaller hole would have been sufficient.
Put sand or rocks down inside to weigh it down. These are pretty light and it kept tipping over without it. I had some sand on hand but gathering rocks out in the yard would be just as sufficient. Since I had cut such a large hole I added the sand to a snack bag first to keep it mess free.
Finally, add your florals of choice. I just pieced it together until I liked the look of it.
It looked pretty great on the mantle so it was a little hard to let it go outside.
Hanging Ghosts
Supplies List
For the big trees out front I created some simple inexpensive ghosts.
- 4 mesh baskets
- 2 Round White Tablecloths
- 1 Black Table Cloth – shape doesn’t matter
- Fishing line
- Zip ties
- Scissors
- Tape – I used packaging tape
- Glue – I used tacky glue
Instructions
First zip tie your two baskets together.
Then cover them with a piece of black table cloth and tape it down. The reason I did this is the white table cloths are easily seen through and I wanted to hide the baskets somewhat.
Next cut a hole in the top and add fishing line to become the hanger. Add tape around that to secure and close up the hole.
Find the middle of your white table cloth and cut a small hole. Drape it over the basket and push the fishing line up through the hole. I then added tape to close back up the hole around the line as I did above.
Next up is giving it a face. I used the roll of packing tape as a template for the eyes and just cut out a shape for the mouth. Both were cut out of the black table cloth and glued to the ghost with tacky glue. To glue them I pinned back the sides so I had a flush surface to work with.
Not very often I get to say this but they turned out cuter than I thought they would.
Initially my daughter and I were going to do the faces together but I couldn’t get her to stay around long enough to get it done. The downside of living in a neighborhood of kids…..I never see her. I finally finished them up one day after asking for several days in a row and of course was in trouble. She wanted to draw one on and not do as I had done. I let her draw a face on the other side with Sharpie before we hung them up. It’s pretty darn cute!! With how much they spin around when hung a face on each side ended up being a really good idea.
The ghosts might be my favorite.
Toilet Paper Roll Eyes
Supplies List
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Glow Sticks
- Scissors or Razor knife (I ended up using both)
- Spray Paint (Optional)
Instructions
This will be the third time making these. They are so cheap, fun, and they really look cool all lit up at night. This is the first time I have spray painted them but also the first time I didn’t have bushes out front to hide them in. Depending on the level of darkness and where you will be placing them will depend on if you want to paint them or not.
Save your Toilet Paper rolls and then cut eyes out of them. I didn’t get very creative at all just circles and ovals but at night they look super cool.
Next, spray paint them if you would like to add a level of darkness.
Finally, add glowsticks and hide to have all the creepy eyes watching you.
This year I bought the wrong size glowsticks (I bought the bracelets) so they stuck out which really distracted from the look. I tried hiding the other side behind things but still could see glow beside the eyes in some of the pictures. My recommendation would be buying the smallest glowsticks you can find if using toilet paper rolls. The bracelets would be the perfect size for paper towel rolls. Will have to remember that for next year.
DONE (almost)
To tie it all together I added in a few small things that we had on hand or from the Dollar Tree. The spider web and spiders (the wind destroyed these before I got to taking pictures but you get the idea). I ran out of time but think it would be fun to web in the entire porch. Maybe next year. Other additions included the skeleton tied to the chair with rope, a gravestone with hands (we had two but it got stepped on…..twice), the kids window clings, a sign in the window that I need to paint so you can read it, and FINALLY one project I am super excited to share next week!
The Witch Hat Wreath I made last week although not creepy adds great contrast to the front door.
How did I do? Which is your favorite?
Be sure to check in next week for the final project for the porch.
Your Turn to Create
I would love to hear if you gain inspiration from this post and use any of these ideas to Creepify your House!
