A Quick and Cheap Halloween Table. No Skills Required.

It’s time for Halloween which means it’s time to break out the spooky decor.

I’ve been searching Pinterest and, to be honest, I’m overwhelmed. I’d love to have a mantle dripping with webs, candles that match, a dirty-looking skull and a vintage photo that makes you question whether or not you’re being watched. Doesn’t that sound awesome?

Yeah, I think so, too.

When it comes to decor or DIY, I have little patience. I like to try a little bit of everything but I’ve learned that the projects I choose need to take a day at the very most. I don’t like things that drag on and on.

BUT…

I HAVE to have a decorated table, silly.

With a goal of spending less than $20, I happened upon some decor. Yes, $20.00. Hey, being on a budget is no joke. Yaknow?

The Target beacon was calling my name (duh, doesn’t it always?). In the deals section – or whatever that heaven sent area is right when you walk in the door – there were bins of sparkly pumpkins. Cost $1 each. You can’t afford not to. I got six of them. Then, back to the seasonal section. I wanted about 500,000 things that would make my home look like a freaking haunted house. However, that $20.00 limit kept nagging at me.

Let’s set the record straight. I am not in favor of having a budget. Like, ever. I’ve never NOT been on a budget. Can you imagine just going out and getting what you want, where you want and when you want it? Wait…do I hear angels singing? I can (and do) imagine it every single day.

Leaving dream world. Heading on into reality. Back to the decor.

In the non-eye level areas of Target’s seasonal section (i.e. the stuff that is less expensive and not the store’s sales focus), I found a plastic/vinyl skull tablecloth for around $3 and this cheesecloth for around $4. I put those festive bargains in my cart along with the pumpkins and talked myself out of every other thing I saw from the back of the store to checkout.

Pumpkins and table covers weren’t going to do the trick. I needed to add more.

REPURPOSE

I went home and rounded up what I already had. This is a tough thing to do when it’s your house because you stop taking note of things that have been in their place for a long time. It’s sometimes difficult to “see” items re-purposed around your house.

Last Christmas, I went a bit sharpie crazy decorating any type of ceramic possible. This would be a perfect addition to my no effort table display. (Instructions on how to decorate ceramic with a Sharpie at the end of this post). The plate was from the dollar store so it was…you guessed it…one dollar. I ended up adding a $4.00 candle from Michael’s that I’d just picked up a few days before (again…can’t afford not to) and I was set.

DECOR PLACEMENT

To do this right, you have to think long and hard about what you want your end result to be and how you plan to project the colors vs. shapes – just kidding. My way was methodical, though. I tossed the table cover on, added the cheesecloth, arranged the pumpkins, placed the plate and lit the candle in a glass cylinder. After my hard work and approximately 2 minutes of my time. Add in about a tenth of a second for creativity and I had a completed Halloween-themed table with a very simple look. In the meantime, I’m waiting for a phone call from Martha Stewart or, really, any home decor company for the incredible effort I put out on this project. Just think: You can put out just as much.

SUPPLIES & COST

Skull Table Cover: $3.00

Cheesecloth: $4.00

Sparkly Pumpkins: $6.00 (six at one dollar each)

Plate: $1.00

Candle: $4.00

TOTAL COST: $18.00

Every time I walk past the table, it makes me happy. The look is just right for the area we have, it doesn’t interfere with my son’s airplanes and trains that seem to end up “hiding” in the cheesecloth and it’s simple to put back in place when company is on their way and  I’m rushing through my house cleaning up as if it looks like that all the time.

What is your quick Halloween decor solution?

Comment below the ‘Related Posts’ pictures.

We’d love to get some great ideas and possibly share in an upcoming post. You all have such great ideas!

Sharpie on ceramic: Run yourself to the dollar store and purchase any type of ceramic dish or cup. Be sure the surface you’re going to write on is flat. When using a Sharpie on these dishes, you’ll need an oil-based Sharpie. Michael’s always has a ton of them but you can find the pens pretty much anywhere a regular Sharpie is sold. Heat your oven to the recommended 350 degrees. However, DIYopolis says to turn the oven to 425 degrees. I think she’s on to something. Heat the dish (mug, plate, etc) for 30 minutes. Once your time is up, turn off the oven and let your newly decorated piece cool. Once cool to the touch, take your  mug out and test the results. Wipe it. Did the Sharpie stay? If yes, run it through the dishwasher for a final test. Did it rub off? Three thoughts: 1. Your mug may have a thick glaze which takes much longer for the Sharpie to ‘bake into’ or adhere to the ceramic piece. 2. You may not be using an oil-based Sharpie. 3. You may have to bake the piece of art longer. Note: White ceramic can cook, too. Think of a marshmallow over the heat of a fire. Yep, there’s a chance you’ll brown it.