Dear readers,
We have been featuring some great blog posts about Goodwill-inspired costumes for Halloween – but what about decor? One of the best parts about Halloween is the decoration – pumpkins, bats, ghosts and skeletons are some more of the traditional Halloween decor. A guest blog write from Nostaligic in Maine share some tips on how to get creative with your Halloween home decor with Goodwill finds – a spooktacular idea!
Halloween! The Latest in Ghoulish Decor
In the country where I grew up, we did not celebrate Halloween. When I arrived in the US, I was amused by this tradition that I had only caught glimpses of through American TV shows growing up. However, I must admit I did not exactly fall in love with the holiday and often found elements of it tacky and grotesque.
Well, my perspective has changed a bit over the years. Tacky has evolved into whimsical and kitsch whereas grotesque, well, that one sometimes still applies. After I had kids, this American holiday has become more interesting to me, and I have come to share in the anticipation of trick or treating, the fun kid costumes, and, of course, the candy.
When it comes to decorating for the holiday, I have faithfully found my Halloween paraphernalia at thrift stores like Goodwill. Most of my kids’ costumes have also been creatively assembled from Goodwill finds, but here I want to show you some of my favorite Halloween decorations – and most of them were not specifically meant for Halloween at all. However, for me, they are perfect for this holiday.
I am a huge cat person and I love everything about the feline spirit and form. Thus Halloween has given me the perfect excuse to display funny cat figures that normally would not fit into my everyday style – simply due to the holiday’s emphasis on cats, especially the black variety. I pick up interesting cat figures whenever I see them throughout the year and display them around my house when Halloween nears – a few gathered on a book shelf, a few on my mantle inbetween miniature pumpkins and candles; but my favorites hang out in my windows. These window cats are actually just wooden silhouettes, and most of them were in other colors when I found them, and I just spray painted them black.
As you can see, there is a new find among my black cats – a blue one that also sported a little straw hat and some country-style heart decorations. Soon he will also get a coat of black paint and join the others in my windows. They make quite a cool impression at night from the outside looking in when the lights are on and the candles are lit.
Next are a few of my other thrift store Halloween decorations. A porcelain black cat, an artsy copper cat (that really is a candle holder) and a metal Jack O’ Lantern that gives off great light when lit.
Next is one my favorite Halloween finds ever – a vintage box filled with shape-appropriate cookie cutters. The kids love to help make cookies with these, and I usually leave the box out and open in the kitchen during the holiday just to enjoy the fun graphics. The cat is, of course, my favorite. I remember paying a dollar for this box. Great find.
Next is a set of heavy pottery dishes I use for candy during the holiday, but I also frequently use them for other occasions as well since I like the style. I do not think they were meant for Halloween, but they certainly fit the mood, especially with the funky spider web designs.
My newest favorite find is just a week old, and I got them at the Goodwill in South Portland by the Mall. They are vintage roly poly tumblers with the fuzzy silver bands, a close cousin to the famous ones used in the TV show Mad Men. With their sort of ghoulish, yet elegant look they will be perfect for some fun spicy drinks for the grown-ups after the kids have worn off their sugar rush and crashed into bed. Cheers!
I hope you enjoyed the little visual sample of my simple Halloween decor . They are all second-hand, but I would not trade them for the fanciest new skeletons or witches in town. So head to your local Goodwill, pick up some fun inexpensive decoration treats and support a good cause while shopping. I just passed on a great little set of black and orange china dishes and already have major regret. What are the chances they will still be there tomorrow? I know what I will be doing as soon as I get off work.
Happy Halloween!
