Pumpkins may be checked off your to-do list, but the rest of your exterior decor can make a difference between a spooky setting or having a harvest-inspired theme with a bounty of gourds, leaves and more.
Overlapping some of the decorations from Halloween to Thanksgiving can be a budget-friendly option for homeowners. Remember, to a large extent, Halloween and Thanksgiving share the same color palette
Here are five ways to welcome fall guests, whether they’re costumed visitors creeping onto your yard on Halloween or invited family and friends for Thanksgiving.
1. Embellish your pumpkins
Incorporate a unique take on the traditional pumpkin, with paint such as Rust-Oleum Specialty Gold Glitter Spray. Using chalkboard paint on pumpkins can offer a blank slate to write a message for trick-or-treaters. Push-In Kits by Gemmy (sold at retailers including Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, The Home Depot and Target), turn pumpkins into characters such as Darth Vader, Mr. Potato Head, Mickey Mouse and Spider Man.
2. Create a vignette
Combine hay bales, flowers, gourds and pumpkins — carved and plain — into a seasonal display that draws attention to the porch, garden or yard. Choose a scheme with one or two colors and stick with that palette when purchasing items such as flowers such as mums, a wreath, a banner, containers and pumpkins.
3. Freshen up your centerpiece
Bring in a new outdoor table centerpiece with items such as gorgeous gold and red leaves, pine cones and gourds. Home Depot and Lowe's both have plenty of items to choose from in this category.
4. Embrace the creepy
Inflatables such as the grim reaper, zombies, ghosts, witches and black cats can make a bigger splash than cobwebs. Gemmy’s products include Hello Kitty as a Witch, a haunted carriage and even Spider Man on a pumpkin, while turkeys will fit with Thanksgiving decor. Prices range from about $20-$200, depending on the theme and size (Gemmy items sold at the Home Depot, At Home, Walmart.com, Ace Hardware and Spirit Halloween). Other peculiar products include Grandin Road’s Skeleton Dog on a Leash, which is made of plastic. At 21 ½ inches high, the canine figure (priced for $59 at grandinroad.com) can guard the candy.
5. Illuminate your space
Orange, purple and yellow string lights can add ambience to your porch or yard. Or hang lights dangling with spiders, bats and skulls from the trees.
