The Best Halloween Decorations

Buying Guide for Halloween Decorations

Why buy Halloween decorations?

If you love to celebrate the spooky season and don’t have decorations to fit your space, or if your old Halloween decorations are worn and tired, buying some new ones may be a good idea. Halloween decorations come in many shapes, sizes, and forms to spruce up your space in a spooky way inside or outside your house. Witches, bats, skeletons, pumpkins, spiders, vampires, ghosts, werewolves, zombies… the list goes on and on, and they come in many different forms and designs. And while scary and/or creepy decor is certainly an option, there are also more elegant or magical-looking Halloween decorations if you prefer that aesthetic, plus some cuter, kid-friendly options if you have little ones you don’t want to scare.

What should you consider in Halloween decorations?

• Indoor or Outdoor: Halloween decorations are generally seen around entryways, front yards, and porches to invite trick-or-treaters to come and knock on your door and celebrate the holiday. However, if you’re extra festive or if you’d enjoy hosting a Halloween party, you may want to consider picking up some indoor Halloween decorations as well. Common outdoor decorations include lights, inflatables, wreaths, jack-o-lanterns, and lawn ornaments. Indoor Halloween decorations run more towards spiderwebs, spooky characters, jars of spooky items, banners, bats, flameless candles, and other similar items.
• On Theme: One of the best things about Halloween is that there are many spooky themes to choose from. You can decorate with classic and cute jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, vampires, witches, scary monsters, spiders and spiderwebs, skeletons, and so much more. Even simple purple or orange lights can brighten up your yard with a spooky Halloween-themed feel.
• Lights and Sounds: For an extra creepy touch, you can find decorations that light up or make scary sounds. There are door hangings and yard decorations that make spooky moans, groans, screams, or other terrifying sounds to scare your neighbors. And when it comes to lighting, string lights, backlights, purple bulbs, candles, and monsters with light-up eyes can add a frightful atmosphere.

When is the best time to decorate for Halloween?

While some people who are really passionate about the holiday might set up their Halloween decor during the first week of October or even before, it’s not too late to decorate for the holiday anytime leading up to October 31st. Some folks even love leaving their spooky lights and door decorations up until after the Day of the Dead, which ends on November 2nd.

Our Picks for the Best Halloween Decorations

Pros: With 100 feet of bright LEDs, this string can cover a large tree, bush, or entryway with 300 dazzling lights. And you can feel free to play with eight light modes: combination, waves, sequential, slogs, chasing/flash, slow fade, and twinkle/flash. Simply press the button on the plug to change the mode to your liking. You can also connect up to three additional strings to cover your whole yard. The 29V low voltage guarantees safety, and the string lights are waterproof and weatherproof. These lights aren’t just great for a front yard, but they’re cool to the touch and safe for indoor use as well.

Cons: Unlike many string lights, these don’t come with a remote to change the settings from a distance. You’ll have to walk over to the lights and manually switch the light modes yourself by pressing the button on the plug.

Bottom Line: These purple and orange string lights are perfect for brightening up the outdoors. They have eight different modes to create flashes or movement. And they stand up to inclement weather.

 

Pros: Faux spider webs are a simple yet effective way to decorate your home for Halloween. This set looks just like real cobwebs, creating a spooky haunted atmosphere. The spider webs are ultra stretchy, covering up to 900 square feet indoors or outdoors. Plus, this set of spiderwebs doesn’t look fake or cottony, and they’re far more durable than most others that you can buy in a department store. Additionally, this pack comes with 30 fake spiders, so you won’t have to buy them separately.

Cons: If you use these out of doors, be careful where you place them, as they can be dangerous for wildlife; you don’t want squirrels, birds, and other critters getting stuck or tangled inside them.

Bottom Line: For thick, durable spiderwebs, this pack stands out against the rest. It’s made from stretchy polyester that’s weatherproof. And it comes with everything you need.

 

Pros: These durable plastic candles have wavy tops to mimic partially burned candles, and they change color (with up to 12 fun colors) with a remote, so you can customize them any way you’d like. You can choose whether the lights are still or flickering, creating the perfect effect for your ideal design. They also run on a 4- or 8-hour timer, so you don’t have to worry about burning through your batteries. And these candles come with batteries included.

Cons: These candles are smaller than they appear. They’re not much bigger than tea lights. If you want really noticeable or statement flameless candles, you’ll likely want to opt for a set that’s larger and taller.

Bottom Line: Are jack-o-lanterns your favorite Halloween tradition? If so, you’ll love these little flameless pillar candles. The designs are fun and sweet, they’re made to last, and they don’t pose a fire hazard if tipped over by mistake.

 

Pros: If you want to expand your Halloween decorations into your front or backyard, this plastic skeleton is a great option, whether by itself or paired with other complementary decorations. It offers a convenient setup—all you have to do is press the arms’ stakes into the ground and then place the skull where you want it, creating a spooky and enjoyable ambiance in your front yard or along walkways. Its surprisingly durable plastic construction ensures it can endure outdoor conditions, while the adjustable jaw on the skull adds a customizable touch. Additionally, its appeal extends to both children and adults, making it a family-friendly decoration that can be appreciated by all.

Cons: The skull doesn’t come with a stake, so it may roll away in windy or inclement weather, and the arms may tip over in similar conditions. You’ll also want to be careful when adjusting the arms to ensure they don’t break off at the stake, and the decoration as a whole may not be as large as expected.

Bottom Line: Skeletons are a staple of Halloween decorations, and this skull and arm model is a quick and easy way to add one to your yard. Display this skeleton “emerging” from the ground as is, or add some extra decor, like a fake gravestone, for an even more festive look.

 

Pros: For a simple way to decorate your front door, these rustic Halloween signs are a must-have. They read “Trick or Treat” and “It’s October Witches” and are decorated with cute designs of ghosts, spiders, bats, skulls, witches, and candies, adding a spooky accent to your outdoor home decor. They’re weather-resistant and made from thick 600D polyester Oxford fabric. Not to mention, they’re washable and easy to store for future uses. Each flag measures 70 x 13 inches, and the simple loop makes them easy to hang on your front door, porch, foyer, garage, patio, or indoor wall. Plus, they have grommets at the bottom to secure an extra anchor, so they won’t blow away.

Cons: The end caps of the wooden dowels are not glued down, which may lead to them falling off. If this becomes a recurring problem, you might end up having to glue them on yourself—or do it preemptively.

Bottom Line: These front door signs are a great way to decorate your entrance with very little effort. To keep them secure, just add a little glue to the end caps, then allow them to dry. Then, hang the signs up and enjoy!

 

Pros: Unlike many other plastic door hangers, this one is made from nice, thick plastic, so it can be folded up and used again and again. Plus, the designs are downright hilarious. You can choose a witch crashing into a wall or a witch, mummy, or spooky skeleton caught in the most embarrassing position: on the loo! Your friends and family will laugh with holiday glee at one of these silly door hangers.

Cons: This door hanging does not come with anything to hang it with or from, so you’ll have to supply the hardware yourself. Buying some tape or pushpins to keep it secure are generally your best options.

Bottom Line: Overall, this door hanging provides a great value and a great laugh for those who like smiles more than screams, though there are some creepier design options as well if that’s more your Halloween decorating style.

Final Thoughts

Halloween decor is so much fun, and the possibilities are endless if you use a little imagination. These options can elevate your home’s look and say Happy Halloween to all who pass by.