Halloween Hacks: Quick and Easy DIY Decorations and Costumes Using What You Already Have

Ghost Lanterns with Mason Jars

If you have a few old mason jars or glass containers lying around, you can create eerie ghost lanterns that will glow beautifully in the dark.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Mason jars or glass containers, white tissue paper or gauze, glue, and LED tea lights.

• Instructions: Wrap each jar in white tissue paper or gauze to resemble a ghost. Use a marker or cut-out black paper to create spooky ghost faces. Place an LED tea light inside each jar, and watch as they glow eerily in the dark!

Why It Works: Mason jars are versatile and easy to find, and the LED tea lights create a safe, glowing effect perfect for Halloween.

Spooky Spider Webs from Cotton Balls

No need to buy fake spider webs when you can make your own with items from your bathroom cupboard. Cotton balls can easily be transformed into spooky webs that can be draped around your home.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Cotton balls, string, and a few plastic spiders (optional).

• Instructions: Pull apart cotton balls until they stretch into thin, web-like strands. Drape them across doorways, mantels, or over furniture for a creepy spider web effect. If you have any plastic spiders, place them within the webs for added spookiness.

Why It Works: Cotton balls are cheap and stretchable, making them perfect for creating DIY spider webs that look just as spooky as store-bought ones.

Pumpkin Vase for a Fall Centerpiece

For a more cozy and sophisticated Halloween vibe, turn a pumpkin into a charming fall centerpiece by using it as a vase for fresh flowers or autumn leaves.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: A medium-sized pumpkin, flowers or fall leaves, a small vase or container.

• Instructions: Hollow out the pumpkin, just like you would for a jack-o’-lantern. Place a small vase or container filled with water inside the pumpkin, then arrange seasonal flowers or fall leaves in the vase. This makes for a beautiful, fall-inspired centerpiece for your dining table or mantel.

Why It Works: It adds an elegant fall touch to your Halloween decor while making use of a pumpkin—a classic seasonal item.

Classic Ghost Costume

You can never go wrong with the classic ghost costume, and you likely have everything you need right at home.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: A white sheet and scissors.

• Instructions: Take a white sheet (an old one works best) and cut out two holes for your eyes. If you want to give it a modern twist, use safety pins to adjust the sheet’s length and shape it to fit like a flowing ghost dress.

Why It Works: The ghost costume is timeless, and all you need is an old sheet to pull it off.

Last-Minute Cat Costume

Got black clothes and some eyeliner? You’re just a few steps away from a cute cat costume!

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Black shirt and pants, black eyeliner, a headband, and black paper or felt for ears.

• Instructions: Dress in all black, then use black eyeliner to draw whiskers and a small nose. If you don’t have cat ears, you can make some by cutting ear shapes out of black paper or felt and attaching them to a headband.

Why It Works: This is a quick, classic costume that you can easily pull together with minimal effort and supplies.

Mummy Costume with Gauze or Bandages

If you have old gauze or bandages lying around, you’re just a wrap away from a spooky mummy costume.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Gauze, bandages, or strips of an old white sheet.

• Instructions: Wrap the gauze or bandages around your body, leaving gaps for your eyes and mouth. If you want to add an extra creepy touch, use makeup to create dark circles around your eyes.

Why It Works: It’s an easy, DIY costume that looks great and uses simple materials you likely already have.

Witch Costume with Household Items

A witch costume is another easy option that you can create from items in your closet.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Black dress or black clothes, a broom, and a DIY witch hat.

• Instructions: Wear a black dress or black clothing to create the base of your witch costume. If you don’t have a witch hat, you can make one using black construction paper or fabric. Grab a broom or a stick as your final touch.

Why It Works: The witch costume is easy, classic, and can be made quickly with household items.

Reuse and Repurpose Old Costumes

If you’ve got costumes from past Halloweens stashed in the back of your closet, it’s time to bring them out and give them new life.

How to Do It:

• Mix and Match: Combine elements from different costumes to create something new. For example, pair a vampire cape with a pirate’s hat for a “pirate vampire” twist.

• Accessorize: Add new accessories or makeup to freshen up an old costume. A mask, a wig, or some fun face paint can transform a basic costume into something new.

Why It Works: Reusing and repurposing old costumes saves time and money while still allowing you to get creative.

DIY Halloween Bunting Using Old Fabric or Paper

You don’t need to buy Halloween decorations when you can make them yourself. Create a spooky bunting banner to hang in your home using old fabric or colored paper.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Old fabric or paper, string, and markers.

• Instructions: Cut your fabric or paper into triangle shapes. Use markers or paint to draw spooky designs (bats, pumpkins, ghosts) on each piece. Then, string them together to create a festive Halloween banner.

Why It Works: This is a simple, fun DIY decoration that’s perfect for sprucing up your home without spending extra money.