I really love Halloween and much of what goes with it. At this stage in my life (raising small babies and trying to keep up with a home and other activities) I’ve come to realize that simple decor is what I prefer. I don’t have a lot of time, funds, or energy to come up with really great decorations year to year, but placing a few things here and there brings the spirit of the season and doesn’t require much storage space the other 11 months.
The portrait is by Caitlin Shearer. I simply replaced another portrait of hers that I usually have on the mantle. I bought the two as a packaged deal and I like how beautifully eerie this girl is. Perfect for Halloween. I stitched the “hocus pocus” several years ago, a movie favorite.
Small pumpkins are so cheap and really add a simple touch that can last through Thanksgiving.
I had the skull left over from Xander’s birthday party. I use the coasters all year long, but I think the skull helps to bring out the creepiness of the feet on the holder.
A skeleton hand left over from Xander’s birthday.
My mom – knowing how much I loved the holiday – sent me the door hanger in a care package my freshman year of college. I’ll never forget the package full of my favorite candy and things to decorate my dorm room.
I have a small collection of busts, and I thought adding a little mask to some of them was a fun and easy touch. I just cut a piece of felt (I freehanded it, which means I made about 5 before I was satisfied) then I threaded some embroidery floss through the sides and tied it around the busts. I’ve seen something similar done with a paper mask taped to a portrait, if you don’t have any Julius Caesar or porcelain doll heads lying around.
I don’t have much time to read in this season of my life, but when I do get the chance I really love British mysteries. I grew up watching them with my parents on television and seeing my mom and dad pour through book after book must have rubbed off on me. They have 1,000’s of books and a strong desire to read. I seem to only be drawn to the fluff, but I’d say that’s better than nothing! They have been kind enough to let me borrow or have any duplicates and I think this collection of black books with some mysterious titles is perfect.
So, I’ve been talking about tasteful decor that gives a nod to the holiday and then I show you the above picture with an in-your-face, big-ole pumpkin. There are two of these beauties sitting on either side of our porch. I woke up on Friday, walked out the front door to water my ferns and almost tripped over one of them. I was very taken aback and thought someone had played a trick on me! After calling my husband I came to learn that he had picked up the bags at the hardware store and taken the kids the evening prior to my in-laws to fill them with hay. I had rehearsal that evening and came home after dark, non the wiser. Walking back in I mentioned them to Xander who got a big grin on his face and asked “don’t you like them, mommy?”
Are they what I would have done? No. But my kids and husband created a great little memory, and isn’t that what it’s all about anyway? I love Halloween so much because my mom gave me the chance to get creative and hands on as a kid. She let us decorate the heck out of our house and yard with anything we liked. From eyeball string lights to particle board tombstones, bags of spiderwebs to Pizza Hut Casper the Ghost puppets (anyone else have those?), my mom let us do and use what brought us joy and that’s what made the holiday so special for me.
I’m sure as the kids get older there will be more requests for black and orange, ghosts and goblins, and blood and gore. I hope I can embrace that season as well, giving my kids the freedom to express their creative side and intermixing their requests into what I like.
What are your thoughts on holiday decor as a family? Do you try and include all members in the festivities?
The winners of the Holiday Mart tickets are Molly and Autumn Beach! If you ladies could email me your address today (themakerista@gmail.com) I will get those tickets in the mail. Congrats!
Julia Konya says
I love Halloween too and we didn't even have it in Germany. I totally agree that it's about making memories even if I don't think a lot of the decor is tasteful. It excites my kids like nothing else and that's why I love it.
I love you hocus pocus sign so much. I wanted to be a witch when I grow up LOL, so it's right down my alley.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I was a witch on several occasions…one of my favorite costumes!
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says
Oh that is funny…but so true. What can you do? 😉 Love all the Halloween touches in your home especially all those black British mystery novels. So fun!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
we have a couple of the cheesy decorations around, but the kids love them and i love my kids! 🙂 sometimes you gotta make sacrifices! i love all the rest of it, too- love the mask on the bust!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Love the hand and the crystal ball!!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Your simple Halloween touches are really great! Love the skeleton's hand and the masks on those busts. Sometimes less is more 🙂
Elisa of Fancy Free Me says
Such great touches of halloween for your home. I had forgotten how my mother let us decorate for the holiday. We had cardboard halloween scenes and we were aloud to replace her art with them for the month. So simple yet so fun!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Elisa!
Laney Reusch / Reusch Interior Design says
So cute! LOVE the mask on the bust!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Laney!
Ashley Brown says
Loving all of your decorations for halloween. Simple and chic!
scarlettmoonblog.blogspot.com/
Ashley
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Ashley, and thank you for reading!
Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says
Adding the mass to those busts is such a cute idea! I have one that my husband hates, maybe if I put a mask on her he'll at least think it's funny 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha! Yes, I don't think most men are that into them, are they? 🙂 It might work…my husband hasn't even noticed and the Julius Caesar is in our bathroom, eye-level with the shower entry, so I know he's seen it!
Laurie from Laurie Jones Home says
I love all your decor and I'm with you with the sorta less is more for Halloween but honestly those garbage bag pumpkins are the best, seriously I find the things made for memories or a story behind it always turn out being the thing I love best!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I have to agree, Laurie! Thanks for commenting. I'm sure those are what I will remember years from now.
Autumn Beach says
Oh my goodness…all of these spooky little touches are just TOO cute! Even if you did have more time, money and energy, I wouldn't change a thing. And I had to laugh about the trash bag pumpkins. Isn't that just like real life? Ha! I love that you embraced the "help" you received. You're right…that's what it's all about. 🙂 And on a totally unrelated note, I am SO excited about the Holiday Mart tickets! Thank you SO much! Off to send you an e-mail!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hope you got the tickets ok, lady! Hope you had fun!
ryanandashleyhutton says
i too use to love the movie hocus pocus!! i also like your take on the 'tasteful' pumpkin decor… i had never really thought about decorating that way, but will have to get used to it as my children get older too!! the things that make them so happy just melt your heart… thanks for that kind reminder!!
roseleablog.com says
I stumbled across your site and I love it! Your decorating designs are beautiful. I also believe less is more when incorporating various holiday decor.
Will be following your blog!
Check out our blog…we're a mother-daughter blogging team. We share our journey of baking, decorating, beauty and everything we love!
http://www.roseleablog.com
– Laura
themakerista@gmail.com says
You're too sweet, Laura! Thank you!
I must mention how beautiful you and your daughter are. And what talent! Pinning those candy corn cupcakes as we speak!