Looking for an "adult" way to celebrate Halloween and the fall? Try bringing the outside in.
Green decorating continues to inspire decorating trends and an inexpensive way to incorporate the environment into your home decorating scheme is the perfect way to celebrate the fall season.
Pumpkin Planter. Find a pumpkin that is large enough to hold a potted mum or other fall flower and then carve out the inside of the pumpkin so your plant fits neatly into the center. This is an easy and beautiful way to display the colors of fall flora.
Gourd Candleholders. The gourds that look like small pumpkins work really well, but other gourds that sit flat can be used as well. Carve a hole in your gourd that snuggly holds your candlestick and arrange several of them throughout the house or as a table centerpiece.
Corn Display. Remove kernels of Indian corn from the cob and fill the bottom of a clear vase, then arrange a display of broomcorn and other seasonal sprigs and “plant” them in the vase.
Carve With a Twist. Instead of carving a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern try a creative twist. Leave the stem and top of the pumpkin alone and carve the large hole in the bottom of the fruit. Then clean the inside as normal. Now begin the creative part and carve symmetrical patterns on your pumpkin, leave the scary faces for your kids. Once you’ve finished, set your pumpkin on top of a candle or other light. To add an even bigger twist, use colored lights to illuminate your creation.
Corn Garland. Decorate your banister, mantle or windowsills with corn garland and swags. Use twist ties to connect small ears of Indian corn to raffia for a simple seasonal accent. If you want to boost the impact of your garland, add richly colored fall leaves and broomcorn fronds.
Topiary Tower. This decoration can be created on a mini scale for your tabletop at home or on a grand scale as a decoration for your home’s entrance so select your accessories to fit your project dimensions. Use a terra cotta pot for the base and fill it with dirt or floral foam. Secure a dowel in the very middle of the pot. Pick pumpkins and gourds that are graduated in size. Stack the largest one on the bottom and continue stacking up the dowel until you’ve reached the top. You can spice up your creation by adding leaves between the gourds or use a black marker to draw scary faces on pumpkins and decorate with plastic spiders.
Halloween isn’t just for the little ones anymore. Little treats throughout your home can brighten these shortening days and help you celebrate the beauty of nature at the same time.
