By james art Perhaps the scariest part of Halloween is the cost of the decorations. However, with a little creativity and some everyday household items, students can turn their homes into spooky haunted houses without spending a fortune. The Daily Texan has rounded up these budget-friendly DIY Halloween crafts to save your bank account and help the environment.
Bats on a roll of toilet paper
Turn empty toilet paper rolls into a flock of naughty bats! Paint the rollers black, then glue on black paper wings, googly eyes and little teeth made of white paper. Craftsmen can string them together to create a creepy bat cave effect in any room.
Cobweb doormat
Use a regular mat and white puff paint to draw a spider web pattern. This simple upgrade welcomes guests with the spirit of Halloween right at their doorstep.
Ghost lanterns
Don’t throw away that empty pasta sauce or jam jar! Give glass containers new life by covering them with a layer of white paper and gluing black paper cutouts for eyes and mouths to create ghost faces. Take it to the next level by placing a battery-powered tea light inside for soft light.
Pumpkin Pumpkin Garland
Orange and green tissue paper can easily be turned into mini pumpkins strung on a garland. Crumple the orange tissue into ball shapes for the pumpkin and twist the green paper into stems, then glue them together. Attach pumpkins to string or twine to make a holiday garland to hang on doors or walls.
Bottle cap spiders
Rearrange metal bottle caps to create tiny spiders! Paint them black and use small beads or googly eyes for the face. For the legs, use pipe cleaners or strips of black paper and tape them to the underside of the cap. Scatter them around the room or on tables for a whimsical touch.
Mummies wrapped in yarn
Wrap the boxes in white yarn, leaving a little space for prying eyes. Use these cute mummies to store candy or decorate tables for a little Halloween charm.
Mason Jar Pumpkin Vases
Those used mason jars lying around can easily be turned into holiday lantern vases! Paint the jars orange and use a Sharpie to draw faces on the lanterns. Fill them with fall flowers, straws for a Halloween drink holder, or candy for treats.
Cardboard headstones
Next time an online delivery comes around, save the box! Transform cardboard boxes into realistic-looking tombstones by cutting out tombstone shapes, painting them gray and using markers to write fun or spooky epitaphs. Prop these DIY headstones in the yard or around the home to create a miniature cemetery.
Windows with bloody prints
Craftsmen can dip the palms of their hands in red washable paint and press them against the windows for a terrifying effect. After Halloween, the washable paint is easily removed with a wipe.