Decorating for Halloween
Do you go all out with your holiday decorating each year? This past weekend, a friend and I went on a home tour in the Atlanta area and we saw some really fun Halloween decorating. It started me wondering about the origins of this fun holiday. It turns out, of all the holidays we celebrate, Halloween is one of the oldest and is second only to Christmas in popularity.
The origins of Halloween, or as it was first called, All Hallows Eve, date back over 2000 years to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. That’s why it is always celebrated on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Though it was originally a pagan holiday honoring the dead, All Hallows Eve is actually the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans. Interesting history!
Have you ever wondered why we get all dressed up in costume and go trick-or-treating? It seems, the Celts were convinced the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Yikes! So, to keep those evil spirits happy, thus ensuring plentiful crops in the upcoming year, gifts and treats were left out for the taking. The tradition of dressing in costume was just a tactic for fooling those evil spirits so they would leave you alone.
Today, Halloween just gives us a great excuse to decorate, have parties and in general…have a little silly fun. Need a little inspiration to get in the “spirit” of things? Here are some fun ways to get your home ready for Halloween…
The origins of Halloween, or as it was first called, All Hallows Eve, date back over 2000 years to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. That’s why it is always celebrated on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Though it was originally a pagan holiday honoring the dead, All Hallows Eve is actually the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans. Interesting history!
Have you ever wondered why we get all dressed up in costume and go trick-or-treating? It seems, the Celts were convinced the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Yikes! So, to keep those evil spirits happy, thus ensuring plentiful crops in the upcoming year, gifts and treats were left out for the taking. The tradition of dressing in costume was just a tactic for fooling those evil spirits so they would leave you alone.
Today, Halloween just gives us a great excuse to decorate, have parties and in general…have a little silly fun. Need a little inspiration to get in the “spirit” of things? Here are some fun ways to get your home ready for Halloween…
This will be the most popular house in the neighborhood come Halloween night. Only thing I'd add would be some dead flowers, branches or creepy moss to the window boxes. :)
I'm not sure if this was meant to be Halloween decor, but those big orange lanterns would be great all lit up on Halloween night.
If your style is more fun and less scary, pumpkin topiaries are awesome this time of year. Don't forget to hang a great fall wreath to complete the look.
The black and orange color scheme of this front door has a definite Halloween vibe. I'm not sure what the circle effect is on the photo, but it makes me think of huge, full moon.
I love using old dead cornstalks around the entrance of a home at Halloween. They just naturally look scary looming out and forming scary shadows across the porch at night. I bought mine one year at a local farmers market, but the practical, budget-friendly thing to do would be to ask a friend with a garden if you can chop down some of their old stalks. They would most likely welcome the help cleaning out the garden.
This would give the Trick-or-Treaters reason to pause come Halloween night. I'd make a wide berth around this guy. :)
Turn your manicured lawn into a grave yard...just for the season, of course. Tombstones are a quick and easy way to scary-up your exterior decor.
Have a Halloween party planned? If it's warm enough to venture outdoors, scatter some lanterns and a few frightful accessories around on your outdoor tables.
I saw these last year in Michaels...they were under the Martha Stewart name/brand. When I came across this pic here at houzz, I was kicking myself for not buying them. I checked Michaels again this year and they have them in once more. If you want them for your Halloween decorating, get them now. They go fast...I speak from experience. You may be able to find them online, too.
This needs no description...totally hilarious...and I love it! Notice the lace eye mask on the picture. Funny and creepy! :)
Lots of companies make stencils that are easy to apply and remove anytime. This isn't necessarily a Halloween stencil, but the color scheme feels perfect for the holiday.
This beautiful display could easily work for Halloween and would be beautiful to keep around all fall. The bust is even sporting a crown as its costume.
Another elegant and pretty display that works well for Halloween but could easily last the whole fall season.
Happy Halloween! Grab your pumpkin and get busy carving. The Trick-or Treaters will be here before we know it!
How are you decorating for this fun holiday?
How are you decorating for this fun holiday?