This is Halloween, This is Halloween!
Sorry if I got that song stuck in your head (#IYKYK), but I figured there was no better way to kick off this blog than talking about the start to the most wonderful time of the year. It’s probably an understatement to say that we’re real big fans of Halloween in this house! My son has had that song from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” memorized basically since he could talk, and used to sleep with a Jack Skellington stuffie at night - ha! I guess you can say the love of all things spooky runs in the family.
We’re known on our block for having a pretty over-the-top Halloween yard display. Every year our family has an ongoing “argument” about when we can put everything up. I say October 1st, but Jeff and Alex are ready the first day there’s even a hint of fall chill in the air. It has been slowly getting earlier each year and secretly? I’m not mad about it.
On that note, here are my top 10 suggestions for decorating the outside of your home for Halloween. Whether you're going for a hauntingly elegant vibe or full-on creepy-crawly chaos like us, these ideas will help you make your outdoor Halloween decor truly spooktacular.
Life-sized posable gold skeleton - AKA, Bob
This is my favorite decoration we have. I bought it for inside, but he ended up on a patio chair on the porch sitting next to his bone-colored brother, and they look so good relaxing together I can’t move him. Years ago my son named all such skeletons Bob. Say “hi” to fancy Bob.
Skeleton bone yard stakes
Before we replaced our lawn this year, we had a huge dirt patch right in front. Adding these bones turned it from an eyesore into a perfectly staged Halloween scene - ha! Now they are scattered throughout our landscaping and sticking out of the flower pots on our front porch. Kids love these - especially the skull.
Giant 5-foot lighted spider - AKA, Fuzzy
Alex named this one Fuzzy, along with all the other spiders we’ve bought. This is his (and my) favorite as it’s huge and can be programmed with (battery-powered, outdoor safe) blinking or steady lights. Looks amazing on the spider web below!
Huge 25-foot spiderweb, home of Fuzzy
Ours is hanging from a tree, but it would look equally fabulous attached to a roof or balcony. These are difficult to reuse year-to-year because of tangling, so I wanted a relatively inexpensive one (with great reviews because they can be very flimsy).
Outdoor extendable lights with timer
If you only have the time, energy, or budget to do one thing, these are quick, easy, and have a big impact! I especially like them as they have a timer as well as eight different light modes (twinkle, fade, steady, etc.).
Giant 13-foot Animatronic Jack Skellington
If you have a “Nightmare Before Christmas” lover in your crew this Pumpkin King is the perfect blend of delight and fright! He sings and has a sensor-activated head and mouth. We have the original 6.5 foot one (sold out), but this upgraded version is on our wish list!
5-pack of 27.5” hanging ghosts
We have these scattered throughout our big tree in front and they’re so cute! Someday I’d love to have 20-30 of them hanging, and nothing else, for a simple, monochromic moment. But for now give me allllll the decorations!
8 foot inflatable “disco spider”
That’s definitely not what it’s called, but when you see it IRL you will know what I mean! We have a couple of neighbors who have this, and I don’t want to copy them, so I will enjoy from afar. But seriously. The lights. They are SO trippy and fun and I could watch them for hours!
Life size witches with glowing faces
These are on my wish list to replace our other witches who are getting a bit rough. The glowing, flickering heads, and the fact that they are holding hands - so creepy and so cool! I envision these in the yard with my tree full of the white hanging ghosts and twinkle lights. Someday.
Classic jack-o’-lantern treat pails
If you are limited on time, patience, or money these are $1 each and can make such a big impact! There used to be a house down the street that had a huge old tree with probably 30-40 of these hanging in it, and the effect was stunning. Even easier, line your porch steps or sidewalk with them and add weatherproof battery-operated candles. Festive and simple!
