Decorative Bats / Giant Spiders / Giant Spider Web / Posable Skeleton / Dachshund Skeleton / Ghosts / Artificial Pumpkins (The BEST of the best are this one, this one, this one, this one and this one.) / Artificial Mums via Etsy (Cheaper) / Faux Mums via Walmart / Buffalo Check Pumpkins (Also have this one from Ballard, and it’s adorable!) / Artificial Mums (Try these potted fall sunflowers if the mums are sold out!) / Artificial Topiaries/ Chinoiserie Planters / Dachshund Topiary / Newer Lanterns / “Hope You Brought Wine” Doormat (Recently replaced with “Hey There, Pumpkin” Doormat / Gingham Layering Mat
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We put the finishing touches on our decor—just in the nick of time 😜—a couple of days ago, but what better day to share it on the blog than October 31st?!
Our sub-neighborhood here in Chicago is well-known for going all out with Halloween decorations, and I was very quick to jump on that train, haha. It’s funny; In my 20s, I couldn’t have cared less about this kind of stuff. It just seemed like a whole lot of unnecessary work. 😆 Now, though, my opinion on holiday decor has completely changed. Maybe it’s old age. Maybe it’s the kids. Maybe it’s because there’s a global pandemic and we can’t do much else. It’s probably a combination of all three. ;)
Okay! So here’s what we did:
Decorative Bats: I was initially reluctant to buy these, since—ahem, all the bat drama this year—but all the murder hornets were sold out, so I took a chance! 😉 These are super cheap and pretty simple, though they do take a while to adhere. It takes even longer if you have a toddler and baby trying to steal them, which is why I’d probably recommend doing this post bedtime. Also, swap out the stickers they come with in favor of the 3M stuff that way you don’t have to worry about wrecking your door! (They also won’t fall down. That’s apparently a big complaint from buyers.)
Giant Spiders: I have severe arachnophobia so these guys felt like a must. They’re posable! You can attach them to nearly anything.
Giant Spider Web: I linked to a thicker one because the thin ones are a COMPLETE DISASTER. It took me over an hour to detangle the thing, and you should have seen me up on the balcony throwing the thing down and wiping away tears as it re-tangled in the process. Jokes. Kind of. But it all worked out. Word to the wise: Do not toss the giant spiders down onto it and hope for the best like I did. Use your brain and attached them beforehand like an intelligent human.
Posable Skeleton: We debated getting this skeleton, but decided that might be a little much. (Though now we regret it and TOTALLY WISH WE’D GONE FOR IT.) The one we purchased is much smaller but it’s posable and looks really hilarious sitting above our front door. We call him Mr. Boney.
Dachshund Skeleton: His name is “Booooooodle” and I need to admit that I have put peanut butter on his nose several times to make it look like Noodle is kissing him.
Ghosts: The ghost placement may have caused some marital problems but they’re all in place and their heads are pointing in the right direction and no one fell off the balcony and everything’s okay. They light up!
Artificial Pumpkins: The BEST of the best are this one, this one, this one, this one and this one. I have the good ones inside, but they’re waterproof, and I’m definitely going to switch them out next year. SO GOOD It’s insane.
Buffalo Check Pumpkins: Years ago, I painted my own gingham pumpkins. NEVER AGAIN. These are fake and fantastic. (Also have this one from Ballard, and it’s adorable!)
“Hey There, Pumpkin” Doormat: This is incredibly “basic,” as the kids said. But I’m incredibly basic as well so it works for me.
Gingham Layering Mat: Gives the doormat a little oomph. I can’t believe I just said that.
Links to everything else at the bottom of the post! Hope you have a spooktacular day! STAY SAFE!
Shop the post:
Decorative Bats / Giant Spiders / Giant Spider Web / Posable Skeleton / Dachshund Skeleton / Ghosts / Artificial Pumpkins (The BEST of the best are this one, this one, this one, this one and this one.) / Artificial Mums via Etsy (Cheaper) / Faux Mums via Walmart / Buffalo Check Pumpkins (Also have this one from Ballard, and it’s adorable!) / Artificial Mums (Try these potted fall sunflowers if the mums are sold out!) / Artificial Topiaries/ Chinoiserie Planters / Dachshund Topiary / Newer Lanterns / “Hope You Brought Wine” Doormat (Recently replaced with “Hey There, Pumpkin” Doormat / Gingham Layering Mat