If you’re anything like us, you love a good theme. Halloween is probably your favorite holiday and decorating for Halloween is something you look forward to all year. But, budgets can be tight this time of year, especially for college students. Here are some budget-friendly ways to spice up your apartment or house for a Halloween party:
1. Caution… Don’t Go in There
If you have an area of your house/apartment that you don’t want guests to enter, cover the door or entrance with caution tape and include a “Warning, Keep Out” sign. It’s a fun way to let your guests know about house rules while still being spooky.
What You’ll Need:
- Caution Tape
- Sharpie Marker
- Paper
- Scotch Tape
2. Make Use of Mason Jars
I can guarantee that most of us have a couple mason jars lying around the kitchen. During Halloween time, it’s super easy to turn your home festive by filling mason jars with candy corn, black licorice and pumpkin pie M&Ms. Set these on your counter to add some Halloween color to the room and to give your guests a treat when they’re spending time at your place.
What You’ll Need:
- Mason Jars
- Candy Corn
3. Weave a Web
No one wants too big of a mess to clean after Halloween night. It’s one of the main reasons I steer away from those cotton spider webs that leave fluff all over your apartment for weeks after the celebration. It’s just as easy, and cost-effective, to head to Michael’s, buy some black yarn and weave your own web with thumbtacks or even tape. You can cover as much wall space as you choose and it won’t leave white fluff in your home until Christmas – though you might wish for some then!
What You’ll Need
- Black Yarn
- Thumbtacks
- Scotch Tape
- Plenty of Wall Space
4. Background is Everything
The ambiance of your apartment can really make or break a party… and ambiance means music and movies. If you pick out the perfect spooky playlist and have some classic Halloween movies playing on the TV during your pregame, it adds a whole new dimension to your experience. I’ve never met a grumpy person watching Halloweentown, so add it to the queue and add another level of fun to your event.
What You’ll Need:
- Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett
- Great Taste in Halloween Movies
5. Make Your Guinness a Ghost
A cute way to spook out your party drinks is to turn unopened beer cans into ghosts. All you need is to take a white napkin, unfold it and drape it over you can, and secure it with a rubber band. If you’re feeling extra festive, draw some facial expressions on the napkin and you’re set – a ghoul you can gulp up.
What You’ll Need:
- White Napkins
- Rubber Bands
- Sharpie
6. Get Funky with Your Food
I’m sure we all remember the snacks we had from our 4th grade Halloween party but being festive is half of the fun. Make your pigs in a blanket look like mummies by wrapping them with a little space at the top. Serve some mud in a cup and reminisce.
What You’ll Need:
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Mud (Pudding)
Remember that Halloween is what you make it. It’s an occasion to get as creative as possible, so go a little extra on the décor without any fear, no pun intended. Happy haunting!