Homemade Halloween Decorations

Homemade Halloween decorations dress up the house nicely. They also let you be creative and are a lot of fun, especially if you get others in on the act. Halloween can be such an enjoyable and crafty holiday and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Halloween is a fun and adventurous time of year so what better way to celebrate it than carving a Jack-O-Lantern. Pumpkin carving is a favorite part of Halloween. Carving a pumpkin is the time to let your imagination and creativity run wild. A well carved pumpkin will impress your friends, neighbors and best of all, your trick-or-treaters. Displaying your carved pumpkin art is part of the fun of Halloween.

You can draw the design on a piece of paper or pick up some carving stencils from your neighborhood craft supply store. Small designs cut in the back of the pumpkin can cast a wonderful shadow on a wall or door behind the pumpkin. When you are through with your masterpiece, put a put a candle inside or a small battery operated flashlight to give that glowing effect.Oh...and don't forget to save your pumpkin seeds for toasting. Scoop out the pumpkin, removing all pulp and seeds. Allow the pumpkin seeds to sit in a bowl of water until you are finished carving. Clean the seeds as soon as possible.

Use a dry paper towel to remove any strings left over from the seeds. Spread the seeds evenly in one layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the seeds with salt (or use your imagination, cinnamon, chili pepper, garlic salt, etc.) and place them in the oven. Set the oven to about 250- 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the seeds until they look slightly browned. Halloween is the second most popular decorating holiday behind Christmas. Whether you make one Halloween decoration or a houseful, the enjoyment of making your own decorations for Halloween will last far beyond the holiday. It is a holiday to get the whole family involved in. Take lots of pictures! Start some traditions that will be remembered for years to come.