Here are the perfect ways to make your home the neighborhood centerpiece for the fall season. There is nothing like dressing up the yard and house for the harvest season to keep your family's heart warm while the temperature gets colder outside.
#1 - Cornstalks and pumpkins. What could be more fall-like than a pillar of cornstalks surrounded by multicolored gourds, squash and pumpkins. It makes you feel like your down on the farm and ready to huddle around the fire for a warm Thanksgiving meal. Of course the pumpkins will be most festive for Halloween if their faces are carved or painted. But be sure to leave some gourds and pumpkins un-carved because they will last longer and take you all the way through Thanksgiving and beyond.
#2 - Construction paper cut-outs. Don't overlook your windows when it is time to dress up the house for fall. Some simple decorative cut outs taped in the windows is a festive site for anyone inside or out of the house. Grab some construction paper in fall colors (orange, black brown, yellow, gold & green). Now draw or trace some simple fall outlines on them like leaves, pumpkins, tractors, bats, cats, witches (and other Halloween shapes). Cut out the shapes and tape them in your front windows to show off your seasonal spirit.
#3 - Table centerpiece. Let's not forget your fall table, the place where you celebrate so many good times with the family around a table of delicious food. All it takes to get into that fall feeling is a little straw and some colorful small gourds and squash. These items are plentiful this time of year at your local supermarket or farmers market. With the straw as a base just stack a few multi-colored and different shaped gourds in your table's center and the fall spirit has come home.
#4 - Ghosts and goblins. To add that extra touch of spookiness for Halloween why not get a white sheet and some old clothes to create your very own ghosts and goblins to thrill the kids that visit your house on Halloween. Ghosts can be any size from 6" to six feet. Just cut out an appropriate size square of your white sheet, stuff the center (head) with newspaper, tie a piece of twine to make the neck and hang your ghost(s) from a tree branch or pole in your front yard.
Goblins can be made from any old clothes and shoes stuffed with newspapers. Use a couple of broom stick handles to hold him up or sit him in an old chair. A basketball with an old hat for a head and a pair of gloves, and you are in business. Make a scary face out of cut out cardboard if you feel inspired or simply put him in a dimly lit corner and the kids are sure to jump when they notice him.
#5 - Double bubble toil & trouble - Next in line is that mean old witch that ads the finishing touch to your Halloween fun. Visit the local costume shop or salvation army to find an inexpensive black dress and pointy hat that any self respecting witch would wear. Some newspaper to fill her out and a couple of crossed broom sticks to give her some backbone is all you need. Draw a wicked face on a cardboard cut out and put her hat on and the wicked witch of the North is ready for action.
A tub or plastic cauldron with a piece of dry ice at her feet and you have the perfect place for your witch to stir up her brew. Put her on your front porch with some dim & shadowy lighting and who could tell the difference form the real thing? Certainly not those unsuspecting trick or treaters.
So there are the five classic and best decorating tips for your fall fun. Try one or all of them and make your home the neighborhood centerpiece for Halloween, Thanksgiving and all fall long. - 32397
#1 - Cornstalks and pumpkins. What could be more fall-like than a pillar of cornstalks surrounded by multicolored gourds, squash and pumpkins. It makes you feel like your down on the farm and ready to huddle around the fire for a warm Thanksgiving meal. Of course the pumpkins will be most festive for Halloween if their faces are carved or painted. But be sure to leave some gourds and pumpkins un-carved because they will last longer and take you all the way through Thanksgiving and beyond.
#2 - Construction paper cut-outs. Don't overlook your windows when it is time to dress up the house for fall. Some simple decorative cut outs taped in the windows is a festive site for anyone inside or out of the house. Grab some construction paper in fall colors (orange, black brown, yellow, gold & green). Now draw or trace some simple fall outlines on them like leaves, pumpkins, tractors, bats, cats, witches (and other Halloween shapes). Cut out the shapes and tape them in your front windows to show off your seasonal spirit.
#3 - Table centerpiece. Let's not forget your fall table, the place where you celebrate so many good times with the family around a table of delicious food. All it takes to get into that fall feeling is a little straw and some colorful small gourds and squash. These items are plentiful this time of year at your local supermarket or farmers market. With the straw as a base just stack a few multi-colored and different shaped gourds in your table's center and the fall spirit has come home.
#4 - Ghosts and goblins. To add that extra touch of spookiness for Halloween why not get a white sheet and some old clothes to create your very own ghosts and goblins to thrill the kids that visit your house on Halloween. Ghosts can be any size from 6" to six feet. Just cut out an appropriate size square of your white sheet, stuff the center (head) with newspaper, tie a piece of twine to make the neck and hang your ghost(s) from a tree branch or pole in your front yard.
Goblins can be made from any old clothes and shoes stuffed with newspapers. Use a couple of broom stick handles to hold him up or sit him in an old chair. A basketball with an old hat for a head and a pair of gloves, and you are in business. Make a scary face out of cut out cardboard if you feel inspired or simply put him in a dimly lit corner and the kids are sure to jump when they notice him.
#5 - Double bubble toil & trouble - Next in line is that mean old witch that ads the finishing touch to your Halloween fun. Visit the local costume shop or salvation army to find an inexpensive black dress and pointy hat that any self respecting witch would wear. Some newspaper to fill her out and a couple of crossed broom sticks to give her some backbone is all you need. Draw a wicked face on a cardboard cut out and put her hat on and the wicked witch of the North is ready for action.
A tub or plastic cauldron with a piece of dry ice at her feet and you have the perfect place for your witch to stir up her brew. Put her on your front porch with some dim & shadowy lighting and who could tell the difference form the real thing? Certainly not those unsuspecting trick or treaters.
So there are the five classic and best decorating tips for your fall fun. Try one or all of them and make your home the neighborhood centerpiece for Halloween, Thanksgiving and all fall long. - 32397
About the Author:
Amy Aimsly loves writing about ideas to help beautify the home. She also has some fun and down to earth ideas in her recent online sites on the Wall Mount Ironing Board and the Wall Ironing Board.
