Fall

One of my favorite party tricks is covering our kids' tables with brown craft paper. I get to cover up all the stickers and marker that cover our small tables, and the kids have a big canvas to doodle on.

Q

Set the table with mini chalkboards and chalk, and have the kids write down what they're thankful for. As an added bonus, these little slates can then be used as holiday ornaments.

Q

Long live chalkboard paint! Chalkboard pumpkins are a clever way to greet visitors

Q

Criste wrapped creepy black fabric around her chandelier and window. Every other piece she either had on hand or bought on sale.

Q

It's mostly just for fun. I like doing it, and I love the expressions on my kids' faces when I reveal the décor to them," says Criste. "I mean, the only time they really appreciate my décor is during Halloween. When I hear them say 'Wow' and 'I'm so excited for Halloween,' I've succeeded already."

Q

Houzz user Vel Criste wanted her dining room to look Halloween glam. Criste already had the mirrors and lamps (she just switched in some orange bulbs), and bought everything else from the Dollar Store or on clearance last year.

Q

Add to Ideabook by Somers & Company Interiors, Gillian Somers by Somers & Company Interiors, Gillian Somers The same effect was used on this larger pumpkin pumpkin display. This adult version of a jack-o'-lantern is simple, but makes a bold statement when lit up.

Q

Add to Ideabook If you're looking for something even simpler, put an assortment of gourds from your farmer's market into a rustic vase and call it a day.

Q

This designer piled pumpkins in gray/green and white on a countertop for a elegant display.

Q

Karen of Strictly Simple Style stacked pumpkins from her local pumpkin farm to create similar pumpkin topiaries.

Q

To make each wreath, Collins (who uses her crafty skills at her party planning business) started with a styrofoam wreath from Joann's. She hot-glued strips of orange fabric to the wreath as she wrapped the fabric around. The rosettes were made by twisting 1 1/2 inch strips of fabric and hot-gluing them together. The spiders were purchased from Pier 1.

Q

Add to Ideabook Melissa of 320 Sycamore Blog fell in love with a classic Williams-Sonoma glass hurricane filled with autumn leaves in one of their catalogs, but didn't want to have to pay a fortune to get it. Instead, she made a trip to her local dollar store and found a glass candlestick, a white candle, and a clear glass vase. She hot glued them all together and filled them gently with leaves from her backyard.

Q