Whether you wait till the week of the big Spooky Day, or you are ready to jump in now, the next big decorating theme is Halloween/Fall.  I have come to love Halloween over the past few years. Since we moved into our house 5 years ago we have hosted a Halloween Party every year (but one) because our neighborhood has good sidewalks and good lighting, which make for great Trick-Or-Treating.

It has been fun to see the kids grow from year to year, to see the babies turn into toddlers, turn into preschoolers, to see the elementary kids turn into pre-teens and then teenagers, too cool for our party. Having an annual get-together like this has given our family and friends a real sense of continuity – no matter what other changes have occured in all our lives this party still gives us all the chance to get together, have fun and catch up.

So needless to say, Halloween has become more of an event around our little home, and every year I cannot wait for Labor Day to pass so that I can start decorating our home for the big night.

Here are some ideas I have used over the years (because I never decorate the same way twice!)

Wine Corks Make Great Fall Decor

My sister found a huge bag of wine corks at a garage sale for me last year. I have since had a lot of fun using them in a variety of ways in my fall decor.

Here the corks are mixed in with a bunch of faux pumpkins for a low-profile centerpiece.

Here I mixed corks and plastic spider rings in apothcary jars for a spookier mad-professor type look…

Other Fall Fun with Pumpkin Decor

Painted styrofoam pumpkins

Knobbly Apple Candlesticks

Made by running a bamboo skewer through 3 Apples and the bottom of a votive candle.

If you try this make sure to cut off the bottom of your base apple so that is flat and stable.

Say it with words…