Whether you’re throwing an epic party or just looking to make your home a little more festive, decorating for Halloween is always a lot of fun. But if you’re on a tight budget, the cost of decorating for any event or occasion can quickly add up. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 23 budget ideas for DIY Halloween decorations that will create the spooky, fun atmosphere you need without taking out a small loan or draining your bank account!
Overview:
- Creative cupcake decorations for Halloween
- Easy DIY Halloween decorations
- Fun handmade Halloween decorations for kids
- How to hang Halloween decorations without damaging walls?
Creative cupcake decorations for Halloween
When you think of Halloween decorations, most people think of hanging cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and ghosts. But food can be a great way to decorate for a Halloween party while keeping your guests fed. Best of all, it’s both cheap and fun to decorate cupcakes for Halloween!
1. Marshmallow face cupcakes
Marshmallows are such a versatile decorative sweet. Whether you want to make them look like cute little ghosts or give them a smiley Halloween face, marshmallow’s can make your cupcakes more festive this Halloween!
2. Simple spider cupcakes
Spider cupcakes are an easy peasy way to decorate your chocolate cupcakes for Halloween without a lot of effort. All you need to do is:
- Lay out a sheet of baking paper on a tray
- Melt chocolate your favourite kind of chocolate
- Fill a piping bag or sandwich bag (with the corner cut off) with the melted chocolate
- Use the piping bag or sandwich bag to make spider web shapes on the baking sheet
- Place in the freezer and once frozen, gently peel the chocolate spider webs off the baking sheet and place them on your cupcakes. Easy!
3. Brain cupcakes
Not exactly for the squeamish, but perfect for the ghoulish! Brain cupcakes are a quick way to add a little creepiness amongst your Halloween snacks!
4. Earthworm cupcakes
Earthworm cupcakes are a big hit with guests, particularly with kids! Just crush up your favourite chocolate biscuits, sprinkle it on top of your cupcakes and add some gummy worms to hang over the edge.
5. Oreo spider cupcakes
A quick way to make a creepy crawling on a cupcake, and who doesn’t love an oreo cupcake. All you need to do is place an oreo on the cupcake, draw 3 lines either side for legs and give the spider eyes. You don’t need to be artistic to make the best cupcakes at the party.
6. Mummy monster cupcakes
Here is a super simple way to make a monster cupcake in no time. Just use icing with a criss cross line work on a cupcake and add some eyes to make the monster come alive. And there you have Mummy cupcakes that took less than 5 minutes to decorate.
7. Easy purple and orange cupcakes
If you’re short on time and only 5 minutes to spare, then simply decorating your cupcakes with orange and purple icing is the way to go. Orange and purple are two of the most common colours associated with Halloween and can add a festive air to your Halloween party without too much effort.
Easy DIY Halloween decorations
You don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate for Halloween as that’s not what Halloween is all about. There are plenty of handmade Halloween decoration ideas that are both easy and inexpensive to make. Sometimes, you can even just use materials that you have lying around the house!
8. String or yarn spider webs
If you’re looking for an easy but spooky decoration for your Halloween bash, then string or yarn spider webs are the way to go. They’re easy and cheap to make and you can do whatever colour or style you like. There are plenty of instructions online, so find whichever one works for you and get creating!
9. Halloween crochet creations
Crocheting is such a versatile hobby that can be really useful for any kind of occasion, including Halloween! Create your own cute Halloween decorations and hang them around the home to add a little homemade charm. Best of all, there are plenty of free patterns online that can help you get started so you won’t have to spend a fortune.
10. Paper Halloween garlands
Sometimes the best budget home decorating ideas are the simplest ones, like paper garlands. They’re fun to make and something you can do with the whole family. There are plenty of patterns and how-to instructions online from bats to pumpkins. Put your wallet away and get creative!
11. Carved pumpkins
An oldie but a goodie! The infamous carved pumpkin, or jack-o’-lantern, is a Halloween classic for a reason. They add a pop of colour and spooky joy, not to mention they’re a blast to make! Consider having a carving party where everyone brings a pumpkin to carve and decorate. It’s a fun, social way to create Halloween decorations on the cheap.
12. Halloween cookies
Cookies are a great DIY Halloween decoration that can make the snack table for your party pop. They’re versatile and you can create any style you like. Find a recipe online and let your creative spirit fly.
13. Messages on the mirror
Halloween decorations don’t have to be expensive to be effective, sometimes the best decor can be created with no money. All you need is a red lipstick and a mirror, instantly you have a creepy message written in ‘blood’ on your bathroom mirror.
14. Pool noodle chains
Pool noodle chains are a simple, budget-friendly decoration to DIY for the Halloween season. Follow these easy steps to make your own:
- Slice the pool noodles into small round segments, about 1 inch to 3 inches wide depending on how large you want your chain links.
- Cut a straight slit from the outer edge to the inner hole on one side of each sliced foam ring.
- Slip the first open ring through a second ring, then use a small dot of hot glue to close the slit you cut.
- Repeat this linking and gluing process until your chain reaches the desired length.
- Spray paint the foam links with gray paint, let them dry completely, and flip them to coat the other side
15. Black and white photos and photo frames
Decorating for Halloween is all about the small details. If you already have photo frames around your house, swap out those cute family photos with Victorian-style photos found online or in vintage second-hand stores. If you’re a photoshop wizard, take it a step further by using your family photos but add a spooky character in the background of the photos.
16. Witches broom parking
Looking for a cheap idea for your Halloween party this year? Why not take advantage of your cleaning supplies! Collect up all your brooms and mops around the house and line them up against a wall. Now all you need is a sign labelling this area as ‘witches broom parking’. It’s a fun, spooky touch that’s perfect for a Halloween party on a budget.
17. Pennywise’s balloon
Decorating the outside of your house for Halloween can be expensive but it could also be very simple. Go to your local party store and purchase a helium red balloon with a base. Place the balloon at the base of your driveway next to the street to make it resemble the iconic movie scene. The illusion works best if you have a street drain on your property that you can put the balloon base in.
Fun handmade Halloween decorations for kids
Kids love to decorate for holidays and special occasions, especially if it means they get to spend time with their favourite people. If you’re looking to get your kids involved in the decoration process this Halloween, we’ve got some great budget friendly ideas for you!
18. Mummy mason jars
Mummy mason jars are a kid-friendly, easy-peasy Halloween decoration that won’t cost the earth to make. All you need to do is wrap some bandages around the mason jars, and then add some eyes. You can use them for candles or to hold candy!
19. Monster doors
Monster doors are an absolute blast to make with your kids. It’s both simple and cheap to make your door look like a spooky ghost, a goofy ghoul, or scary creature. All you really need is some paper, scissors and sticky tape, and then let your child’s imagination take over!
20. Halloween rocks
Most of us have rocks lying around the garden. With a little paint, you can turn them into simple, cheap Halloween decorations that the kids will have fun making, too. Whether you scatter them around the garden for a pop of Halloween spirit, or use them as a table decoration, you won’t need the credit card for this one!
21. Toilet paper creatures
If you’re feeling a little environmentally conscious this Halloween, then recycle your toilet paper rolls to create some fun Halloween decor with the kiddos! Kids absolutely love art and craft and using old toilet paper rolls can really keep decorating costs low. Even better, your kids can let their imagination and creativity shine through.
22. Stocking stuffed witch boots
Remember the witch that was crushed by the house in Wizard of Oz? That’s the look we’re going for with this next Halloween decoration. All you need is a pair of stockings, preferably coloured, and get your kids to stuff them with newspaper to make the stockings filled out like legs. Grab a pair of boots and put the ‘witch’ underneath a heavy piece of furniture to resemble a witch trapped underneath.
23. Paper Halloween cutouts
Creating paper cutouts for Halloween is a super simple decoration that’ll keep your kids entertained without spending a lot of money. You can stick them on the walls around the house, or go the extra mile and make them into garlands. Whichever option you and the kids choose, you can have cute Halloween decor around the house with minimal effort and cost.
How to hang Halloween decorations without damaging walls?
If you’re worried about damaging your walls when you’re hanging decorations for Halloween, there are things you can use to minimise or avoid any damage. These products are common and easy to find in Australian stores, ensuring your Halloween setup is both festive and wall-friendly!
3M Command strips and hooks
These removable adhesive strips are widely available in stores like Bunnings or Officeworks,and are designed not to leave marks or damage the paint when removed. They come in various sizes and weight capacities and can be useful for a wide range of decorations.
Blu-Tack
Blu-Tack is a popular product for attaching lightweight decorations like paper cutouts or posters. It’s easy to remove and doesn’t leave stains if used properly.
Painter’s tape
Available at any local hardware store like Bunnings or Mitre 10, painter’s tape can be used to hold light decorations. It’s gentle on walls and removes cleanly without peeling paint.
Suction cup hooks
These can be found at stores like Kmart or Big W and are perfect for hanging decorations on smooth, non-porous surfaces like windows or tiles.
Over-the-door hooks
Perfect for hanging items like wreaths or hanging signs on doors without drilling or adhesives. Luckily, they’re also easily available in stores like Target or IKEA.
Magnetic hooks
For metallic surfaces like a refrigerator or metal doors, magnetic hooks are a great option and can be found in hardware stores or specialty shops.
Fishing line or twine with command hooks
Use command hooks to create anchor points for a line of fishing wire or twine to drape lightweight decorations like garlands, paper lanterns, or bats.
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Halloween FAQs
How do I light my house for Halloween?
Halloween is all about creating a spooky atmosphere that makes your guests feel like something could pop out of the shadows at any moment. Instead of relying on overhead lighting, use lamps, candles, and other low-level yellow lighting to create a darker, more mysterious setting. Place lights strategically around the room to cast eerie shadows and leave some corners darker than others. Just make sure candles and other decorations are positioned safely and away from anything flammable.
What are the top 3 Halloween colours?
The main Halloween colours used to represent the season are orange, black, and purple. These colours are inspired by the changing of the season (autumn in America), pumpkins, midnight, and supernatural vibes of witches and magic.
What day should you start decorating for Halloween?
This depends entirely on how much you love Halloween. You could decorate for the whole month and make the most of the spooky season, or you could decorate for your Halloween party a few days before the 31st. This year Halloween is on a Saturday, so you have plenty of time to decorate on Saturday and clean up on Sunday, November 1st.
What are the most popular Halloween treats in Australia?
Research shows that sour lollies and classic hard centres are the favourites during the Halloween season, followed by the Australian classics chocolates like Freddo Frogs and Caramello Koalas.
