Even though trick-or-treating isn’t acceptable past junior high, you can still get into the holiday spirit by adding some cute Halloween decorations to your home. These simple projects are great for a chilly fall afternoon and you will be guaranteed to have compliments from anyone who visits your home! Here are a few simple Halloween-themed crafts to try, all inspired by Martha Stewart.com.

Bewitching Tree Decoration



If you’re having a Halloween party, decorations are a must. Here is a perfect way to transform any table from plain to spooky in just minutes. Begin by cutting out some decorations from construction paper. No-fail designs include bats, pumpkins and cats. If you’re artistic enough to draw them yourself, by all means do that! Otherwise there are several sites online where you can find templates to print out. Be creative and make them your own!
Once you have several decorations, slide a string through them, as you would a Christmas tree decoration. Then go into your yard and try to find a branch suitable for a tree. If you can’t find a branch that would work, you can also bend a wire hanger out of shape and spray paint it black.

Another great touch, especially if there are children in the house where the tree will be displayed, is to make candy bags with treats sticking out of them. Offer a candy to each person who compliments your tree! But be sure to have plenty of treats because you will get tons of compliments!

Spider Webs



Add some spirit to your windows by hanging spider webs on them, accompanied by a plastic spider. Remember making paper snow flakes in elementary school? The webs are kind of the same idea: using black construction paper, snip out chunks to make a spider-web shape. You should keep thin strips of paper and cut out the majority of the sheet. Try to keep it symmetrical, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. Make a few webs and hang them haphazardly on your window. Then, go to an inexpensive craft store and purchase a small black plastic spider. Hang the spider by the webs for a Halloween display visible from outside!

Blood-Dripped Candles



Perhaps the dark side of Halloween is what appeals to you. This simple addition to any white candle will bring out that side of you and set the mood for your holiday celebration. To turn a white candle into a “blood-dripped” candle, simply place the white candle into a bowl and prop it upright with something sturdy, that you won’t mind staining. Then, light a red candle and gently drip the wax off of it onto the white one. Be careful! It’s very easy to burn yourself doing this so take extra caution. Then, let the wax dry and it should be drizzled and clumpy- a “blood-like” look.

Scary Surprise Lamp Shade



Another simple way to decorate your house is to add an unexpected surprise to a lamp shade. Using black construction paper, trace some Halloween designs, like bats or cats, and cut them out. Then take a piece of wire and form it into a circle that fits the top of your lamp shade. Attach the shapes to the wire with a piece of thin white thread, and glue a couple right on the lamp shade. Stick the wire circle on top of the lamp and let your shapes hang there. They will add a neat twist to your lamp!

There are tons of ways to get into the spirit of Halloween, but having a hand-made decoration will make you think of Halloween every time you see it! Add a special sentiment by having a “crafts day” with your special someone and make multiples of these decorations to give to others. Visit MarthaStewart.com if you need some inspiration or some tips. And by all means- tell us about your favorite Halloween-themed crafts!