Nothing beats finding cheap spooky Halloween decorations each year, especially when you can get creative with just a few items. And it shouldn’t cost you a fortune either. That’s why I’ve made a list of fun ways to get your entire family into the spirit of Halloween and rounded up my favorite DIY Halloween decoration ideas.
As long as we’re talking about spirit, did you know that there are ways to save on Spirit Halloween costumes? An affordable costume and one-of-a-kind Halloween decorations sound like a doable party to me. Most of the spooky looks are a combination of Dollar Tree finds, so these Halloween decorations shouldn’t cost more than $20 each.
Download the KCL app if you love to shop holiday decor and DIY projects. Our team of deal finders is always posting holiday deals year-round. Use our Halloween coupons to also save on candy, seasonal lawn decor, Halloween clothes, and more.
Creepy Halloween Decoration Ideas Under $5
1. Make Halloween table decor with red and white candles. Cost: $1.75
Since some surfaces or materials are flammable (i.e. wax paper, parchment paper), use a heat-resistant surface (i.e. glass, tile, granite) to absorb the candle wax. Grab some votive candles, 3 ct ($1.25, Dollar Tree) and drip red Crayola crayons, 24 ct, $0.50 (reg $1.44, Walmart) wax onto the white candles to add new creepy decor to your tables.
Related: 50 Fun (and Free) Fall Activities Every Member of Your Family Will Enjoy
2. Upgrade your candy bowl with an embedded plastic skull. Cost: $2.25
Create a creepy display for your candy bowl with the addition of a faux skull. Insert a plastic skull ($1.25, Dollar Tree) in the center of a web-shaped bowl ($1, Party City). Hot glue it so that it doesn’t move. It’s as simple as that! Add candy around the skull to fill up the bowl.
3. Attach bat cutouts to lampshades to decorate your rooms. Cost: $4.79
Take heavy cardstock, 1 ct ($0.79, Michaels), and make bat cutouts to attach onto the inside of your lampshades. Another option is to use removable glue dots, $4 (reg $4.99, Amazon) to attach a pattern of bats on your wall. Cutouts of black cats, skulls, and witch hats will also do the trick. Lots of free printable cutout patterns are available online through a basic image search.
Creepy Halloween Decoration Ideas Under $10
4. Use spider ice cubes for your Halloween party decorations. Cost: $5.37
Fill ice cube trays, 2 ct ($2.43,Walmart) with water or any clear liquid, add plastic spiders, 20 ct $2.94 (reg $3.52, Amazon) , freeze, and voila! A spooky detail fit for any Halloween get together — big or small. You may want to tell your guests ahead of time in case they don’t find this prank as funny as you do.
5. Draw faces on plastic party cups for easy DIY Halloween decorations. Cost: $6.96
This tip is for everyone who can’t remember which cup was theirs at a party. Draw faces on plastic party cups with a Sharpie, 2 ct $1.97, Walmart) and add self-adhesive googly eyes, $4.99 (reg $8.99, Amazon). Or just add funny face stickers ($7.99, Amazon) and names. Another idea is to place battery-operated tea lights in them on your food table to illuminate the space.
6. Add glowing patio steps to your list of Halloween decoration ideas. Cost: $7.95
Attach glow-in-the dark tape ($7.95, Amazon) along each step to give you a standout look that’s also useful for lighting. Try glow-in-dark colors other than green to add some variety. Use the tape for indoor or outdoor use.
7. Freeze a rubber glove filled with water or juice for cool Halloween decorations. Cost $7.99
Need a hand amping up your boring punch bowl? Use a disposable glove that's powder-free. You can buy a box of 100 disposable gloves, for $7.99 (reg $8.99, Amazon). That makes this craft only $0.80 for each glove you fill with water or juice. Freeze it for at least two hours. Add it to your punch bowl and watch the surprised faces of your guests. Make a few backups to replace it as it melts.
9. Halloween decoration idea: make your doorways more ominous with cut black plastic bags. Cost: $8.12
Take black plastic bags, 20 ct ($5.62, Walmart), cut them into strips, stretch each piece, and hang them in your doorways. Add “No Trespassing” or “Caution” tape ($1.25, Dollar Tree) in front of the hanging bags along with spider webbing ($1.25 Dollar Tree). Create this covering to rooms guests shouldn’t enter like laundry rooms or bedrooms.
10. With a mirror candle holder and a plastic skull, create your own homemade decoration. Cost: $8.48
Add some Halloween-worthy flair to your countertop that’s as easy as eating a mini pumpkin pie. Smash the top of a plastic skull ($1.25, Dollar Tree) with your favorite glass candleholder to make an even surface. Hot glue the skull to a mirror candleholder ($1.25, Dollar Tree).
To create a textured, ceramic look, use a white or gray spray paint ($5.98, Walmart). Top your creation with a candle and you’re done.
Creepy Halloween Decoration Ideas Under $20
11. Build skeleton candy baskets with just three items. Cost: $10.24
Create a themed scene for your indoor candy table for under $5. Buy the items from Party City, Dollar Tree and Amazon:
Plastic web-shaped bowl ($1, Party City)
Hanging skeleton ($1.25, Dollar Tree)
Black creepy cloth, 3 ct ($7.99, Amazon)
Hot glue the skeleton around the bowl as if it’s hugging it. Let it harden, then bunch the cloth underneath, and fill the bowl with candy. Try spray painting the skeleton to match the bowl or use a glow-in-the-dark skeleton.
Wondering what to do with all of your leftover Halloween candy? We’ve got creative solutions for you.
8. Dress up glass candy jars with pumpkin or skeleton toppers for a fun Halloween decoration idea. Cost: $10.52
Using a hot glue gun ($4.27, Walmart), attach your favorite Halloween decor like these mini glitter pumpkins ($1.25, Dollar Tree) on top of square glass jars with metal lids ($1.25, Dollar Tree).
Add loose or wrapped candy and display them as a group on a tray. Decorate the corners of the tray with bat clips ($1.25, Dollar Tree) or giant glitter spiders ($1.25, Dollar Tree).
12. Create a DIY skull fake flower vase for a Halloween decoration idea. Cost $19.07
Pair a stemless glass ($1.25, Dollar Tree) and real or faux flowers, 10 ct ($8.58, Amazon) to create an inexpensive and frightening centerpiece.
Use a knife to hollow out the top of the plastic skull ($1.25, Dollar Tree), insert the glass, and spray paint both. Add the flowers and wrap the skull vase with cobwebs, 3 ct ($7.99, Amazon).
TIP: Add a small piece of dry floral foam so the flowers don’t move around in the glass. Use the glass to add weight instead of just dry foam inside.
13. Get fun and cheap Halloween decoration ideas at Amazon. Cost: $19.47
Decorate your yard and all your doors, inside and out, with inexpensive Halloween decorations from Amazon:
Halloween Door and Window Decorations, $9.99 for six sheets
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