Thrifty ways to decorate is my fourth favorite thing, right after October! Halloween! and Jaimie! When the first leaves change color, we remove the beach and summer from our dining table (yes, we even decorate that for the beach). Preparation begins for the joy of decorating, not just for autumn, but for a festive Halloween.
CENTERPIECE
In our home we were fortunate to have my brother, a fabulous florist in residence. He passed away recently, however, he made this centerpiece four wonderful years ago. The key to freshness is using it in a different place each year. When our guests arrive for the Halloween Party or Thanksgiving Dinner, they always think we have new decorations all around. To make this more of a Halloween piece, it is offset with a statue of the Headless Horseman in the background. Reusing silk floral arrangements keeps them in the ‘thrifty’ category.
Dishes Galore From a Thrift Store
Every dish on the table came from local thrift stores. We are blessed with several that assist charities. In addition to keeping a few dollars in our pockets after shopping, we help the less fortunate. In this case, Children’s Harbor offered Autumn goodies we simply refused to pass up, beginning with pumpkin bowls for luscious pumpkin soup. Tall mugs with perfectly matched coloring added a humorous touch. Last year, we discovered acorn containers with covers. At another shop I found round black plates and red square salad plates. Altogether, the setting is perfect for the eerie Halloween time of the year.
DON’T GO TOO DARK
When I first put the dining room together, the tablecloth used was beautiful. Covered with fruit and foliage, it screamed fall with all of the reds, golds, russets, oranges and deep turning greens of the season. How could it possibly go wrong? When I put the centerpiece in place, nothing could have been more perfect. The dishes, however, disappeared into the fabric of the cloth. The whole room seemed dark and uninviting. The tablecloth came off. A long white cloth took its place and the centerpiece went back in place. I hated it. Nothing could have been more boring than a gorgeous centerpiece on a white lace tablecloth!
At that moment, the proverbial lightbulb lit over my head. Off came the flower arrangement. I called my helper and together we folded the autumn tablecloth in thirds lengthwise and laid it down the center of the white lace cloth. When the floral arrangement went back into place, the ‘runner’ complimented it. The white on either side of the runner brightened the room and showed the dishes. All problems were solved.
SPREAD THE JOY TO OTHER ROOMS
Next to decorating the dining room, the living room is my favorite. This year we were delighted to find some items on sale at our favorite store. And, in addition, country figures from Mama and Daddy’s home took their place among other treasures. My daughter-in-law sent two lovely vases of Venetian glass which added a much-needed sparkle factor. These items perked up the area under the television.
A friendly Trick or Treater relaxes against several pottery jugs on the coffee table as she waits for Halloween night to make the rounds. Made by a friend, she is a treasure that remains out somewhere in my house throughout the year.
Jaimie’s favorite bit of thrifty decoration came from a party where she won it as a prize. An enormous wreath featuring her favorite college football team – Roll Tide, Alabama and their awesome mascot – an elephant! Yes, friends, it has been on the inside of my front door since that fateful night.
Huge silk autumn leaves decorate lamp shades and provide color underneath the statuettes on the tables. Nothing is safe when my daughter and I get the decorating bug. We love seeing every room take on a new personality with each season.
Although decorating for beauty is fun, decorating for Halloween Night is even more fun! That is not my forte’, but go here for those. Whether it’s scary skeletons or fabulous coffins, this is the spot for great Halloween fun!
So, everyone, put on your thinking caps, put away your checkbooks and discover thrifty decorating for every holiday!