To create your own specimens, you need a good assortment of clear glass containers. Use canning jars, potion bottles, apothecary jars, wine bottles, or rinse out the spaghetti sauce jar from last night’s dinner. The concept is simple – refill the jars with colored water, add a slimy and creepy specimen, and embellish with labels, paint, and twine.
Wilton makes a Halloween drink-coloring dye set with green, orange, red, and black already mixed for you, available at your local craft store. Hard-boiled eggs, cauliflower chunks, mini skeletons, and light-colored creatures work well in dark colored dyes for the added appeal of not being able to distinguish clear details apart from each specimen.
I found a very inspiring display of potion bottle specimen jars arranged on an antiquated bookshelf with a full tutorial included. Create your own Witches’ Kitchen this Halloween for a unique party theme that will have your guests brewing and bubbling over (with anticipation, I mean. I certainly hope you don’t plan to stuff them into the cauldron…).
Use vintage-style potion bottle labels for added authenticity, such as this beautiful set from the talent behind Love Manor: Bottle Labels.
For more apothecary jars, potion bottles, and specimen jars ideas, visit my complete list here: Halloween Apothecary and Specimen Jars
Halloween yard decorations and props are difficult to find in retail stores this year. Luckily for me, I’ve been stockpiling a whole home full of spooky decor for many years or I would be joining every one else in tripping over the excessive amount of Christmas trees and wrapping paper that has already flooded stores for the past 2 weeks in SEPTEMBER. October starts tomorrow!
I have found a few items online worth mentioning though. There’s still time to have these shipped and set up for Halloween…these are spooky props that won’t scare the complete BOO out of you. I’m saving those links for later!
* Skeleton Arm Stakes
* Skeleton Flamingo pair
* DevilMingo Pair, Flamingo Devils
* Full 28-piece Bag of Bones Set
* 6ft Inflatable Carriage Hearse
* Standup Halloween Witch Decoration
* 5ft+ Standing Metal/Glass Lantern
A Dark and Dreary Halloween Arrangement
Midnight Dreary is the first Gothic Halloween arrangement I have created this year, to begin my soon to be over-crowding series of spooky adornments.
Ravens and silk black roses surround an elegant “Boo” word statue with silver skulls, LED pillar candles, and a tall candelabra. This arrangement is set up alter-style, to be placed on top of a bookcase or on a thin side table.
At night, the LED candles flicker in dark orange hues, dancing around the figures and casting shadows on the wall. For added ambiance, I have an additional set of orange Halloween lights set in front of the arrangement.
Black LED pillars are available HERE for only $5.99 to $9.99 and are definitely my favorite find so far…
The Many Themes of Halloween
Sort your Halloween decorations and props by theme and throw a unique Halloween party this year that no one will forget…
Here’s 9 creative themes to get you started, including:
* Traditional (festive)
* Modern or Contemporary
* Halloween from the Grave (spooky Halloween decor)
* Wicked Witch
* Things that go Bump in the Night (Scary props)
* Masquerade / Carnival
* Creepy Castles
* Fantasy and Mythical Beasts
* Pirates – Creatures of the Sea
Some of the most festive Halloween decorations can be found in your backyard. With only a few extra craft supplies and a little creativity, you’ll have one-of-a-kind Halloween that can’t be bought in stores…
Twigs:
Thin branches can be arranged with flowers and leaves to create a festive centerpiece. Intertwine them together in circular form to create a base for a wreath. You can spray paint branches or dip them glue and glitter for a modern twist. A large branch can stand up in a tall floor vase for a natural Halloween tree.
Leaves:
You can keep them natural, or add a clear spray sealant on the leaves to make them last longer. String them to hang around your home, either by themselves or on a long string together. You can also use Fall leaves on your Halloween dinner table around your centerpiece and dishes.
Other findings:
You may be able to find stones, berries, seashells, or pinecones that will stand out with your natural Halloween decorations. Don’t forget about the little things – spray paint or glue and glitter them to match the rest of your accessories.
Food items such as fruit and vegetables also complement Fall and Halloween settings. Use pumpkins, gourds, apples, corn, grapes, squash, berries and nuts to create arrangements for guests to feast their eyes on.
Fall is creeping closer!
Several of our leaves in New England are turning their fiery shades of orange and red, to welcome the cooler days and prepare for the night of the dead…
It’s almost time to decorate your table with festive Fall and Halloween centerpieces. Will you go traditional or spooky it up a little this year?
Here’s 2024 possible centerpiece ideas and a few tutorials to get you started:
These apothecary jars filled with black and white Halloween candy create a very unique and elegant display. The full Halloween display is very simple, elegant, and inspiring:
The photos are from last year’s Pottery Barn Halloween selection, but there are apothecary jars available at many retailers online. I have several listed here for specimen jars, candy displays, and centerpieces along with other glass bottle uses for Halloween: Apothecary Jars
I created these free printable Halloween jar labels for your creepy party food finds and witches kitchen potion bottles. Definitely a necessity for every macabre night full of gross treats and edible appendages…
Spider Legs – black licorice
Creepy Crawlers – gummy worms and bugs
Drops of Blood – red jelly beans
Dragon Scales – candied pumpkin seeds
Bat Droppings – black M&Ms, jelly beans, gumdrops
