Halloween 2020: DIY Room Decor Ideas
Do you celebrate Halloween? When I was a student, it was an excuse to get together, tell scary stories and watch zombie films. Now that my children are school-age, I look for ways to make the evening fun for them. Here are a few room-decorating ideas to try before 31 October.
Keep paper, fabric, cheesecloth, yarn and decorations well away from candles, open flames and hot lamps. Choose cool-running LED or battery lights, follow electrical product instructions, and never cover fixtures or cords. Hang decorations securely so they cannot fall; supervise children around scissors, glue, balloons and small decorative pieces, and keep materials away from pets and very young children.
Yarn hanging decorations
Wrap PVA-glue-coated yarn around a partly inflated balloon, let it dry overnight, then pop and remove the balloon. A light coat of oil can help prevent the balloon from sticking to the yarn; remove balloon fragments carefully.
Garlands, stickers and paper cutouts
Make them with lettering, spiders, pumpkins, ghosts or any other Halloween motif. They are simple to create, and children can join in with suitable supervision.
Cheesecloth ghosts
Use a balloon, PVA glue, cheesecloth and a little imagination to make a ghost decoration.
Ghost garlands
For a quick, inexpensive garland, place a crumpled piece of paper in the centre of a white paper napkin, fold it around the paper and tie thread around the neck. Draw faces with a marker or attach separately cut-out details.
Lighted ghost decorations
Cheesecloth ghosts can look striking near a light source, but do not drape them over lamps or fixtures. Keep the decoration clear of heat and use a cool-running light.
We do not celebrate, but my son's school asked him to make a holiday craft, so he will be making a scary papier-mâché pumpkin.
You will need a balloon, thread and paste (or diluted PVA glue). Do not inflate the balloon too firmly; use thread to shape its vertical grooves, then cover it with damp paper. The first layer can be ordinary newspaper, followed by napkins or paper towels so the print will not show through after painting. Once the paper is completely dry, deflate the balloon, or leave it inside because it will be hidden under the pumpkin's cap. Make the cap and stem separately, then attach them to the base after lightly dampening the join with a spray bottle. Decorate as you like. [Editor's safety note: Children should be supervised with scissors, glue, paint and balloons; keep small pieces away from young children.]