UPDATED: I finally investigated the giant acorns a bit. They come from the burr oak tree and I found a site selling them in packs of five for $5 - AND they were sold out! Just look how much cash I have sitting in that bowl! And I have more in the basement....oh well, maybe next year!
How's that for an alliteration? I finally dug around in the basement and found the last of my October decorations. I will switch things up just a bit when I put away the Halloween things, but most everything will stay as is. So here goes with a few easy and very inexpensive ways to decorate your home.
I found these GIANT acorn things under a tree at the local municipal airport my folks use when my dad flies in for a visit. I would hate to see the squirrel that eats these things! I usually put a few drops of cinnamon oil on a cotton ball and bury it under the acorns. The bowl is from my great-grandmother's dishes. After Thanksgiving, I just store them in a gallon ziplock.
As you can see, the wee ones had to jump in a shot...all their idea, nice huh?
Next up - an idea that is as old as the hills, but you would be surprised at how many people don't do this simple centerpiece. I picked up my container several years ago off a sale table at a local craft/floral store. I use it with many different items throughout the year, usually with candy! My friends and family know NEVER eat the candy in the centerpiece! (Even Mr C already knows this!) I have had this candy corn for at least 7 years. I just put it in a ziplock at the end of the season and store it with my other Halloween decorations.
Yes, sometimes the candy sticks to itself. I just break it up with my hands! I KNOW that candy corn isn't that expensive but I watch EVERY penny folks!
Next up...layered candle holders. So easy that your little ones could help you - unless they run the risk of sticking things up their nose! (Fortunately, that has not happened at my house yet.) Just buy a variety of dried beans, peas, and popcorn and layer them in a way that is pleasing to you. You can use any clear glass container. My mom has a really cool square one that she uses on her kitchen table. I wanted a variety of sizes so I choose two sizes of mason jars and a "flowerpot" candle holder. Nestle in a tea light and you have natural beauty in the daylight...
and all lit up at night! To store them, I put the small one and all its contents into a baggie. For the larger ones, I use a ring and lid to keep things nice and tight. No worries about any little creatures getting through the metal and glass!
Cupcake Daddy and Miss M just got home from AWANA and I need to hustle her in bed quickly! Thursday mornings are ROUGH at our house!
Looking for a TOTALLY free holiday spirit idea that works for any special day? It's genius I tell you and totally cute if you have young children who speak clearly. Simply change the outgoing message on your phone. Last fall, the wee ones and I started switching ours up to coordinate with holidays and seasons. For our summer message "It's summer and we are probably working in the garden. Please leave a message" all Mr C got to say was "bye!".
I found these GIANT acorn things under a tree at the local municipal airport my folks use when my dad flies in for a visit. I would hate to see the squirrel that eats these things! I usually put a few drops of cinnamon oil on a cotton ball and bury it under the acorns. The bowl is from my great-grandmother's dishes. After Thanksgiving, I just store them in a gallon ziplock.
As you can see, the wee ones had to jump in a shot...all their idea, nice huh?
Yes, sometimes the candy sticks to itself. I just break it up with my hands! I KNOW that candy corn isn't that expensive but I watch EVERY penny folks!
and all lit up at night! To store them, I put the small one and all its contents into a baggie. For the larger ones, I use a ring and lid to keep things nice and tight. No worries about any little creatures getting through the metal and glass!
Cupcake Daddy and Miss M just got home from AWANA and I need to hustle her in bed quickly! Thursday mornings are ROUGH at our house!
We made these several years ago in my MOPS group, but even though it isn't a new idea I thought I would post a few directions. I had one of the moms from the group ask me how we did them because she wanted to make another but was afraid to take hers apart. No reason to be worried - I took mine apart for the photos! For this project you will need:
Plop it in the middle of your fabric and start tucking the ends into the center of the roll. You might have to use a table knife or something to really get it stuck down in there well. Once you have it all tucked in nice and neat, stick in your stem and leaves. Really...that's it!
I haven't tried it yet, but I think you could make larger ones with a roll of paper towels. Wondering about making smaller ones with a partially used roll too?
About 10 or 11 years ago, my mother and I saw a similar decoration and thought "We can do that!". After gathering up a pair of little shoes, pants, a white sheet, and a few wood scraps, we set to work. Actually, my brother helped my mom while my dad helped me with mine.
We started by building a "body", then used a staple gun to attach the shoes and pants, which we stuffed with newspaper. 
For the head, we tied fiberfill in the middle of part of the white sheet and then tied the entire "head" onto the body. Once you are happy with the proportions, drape the rest of the white sheet over your goblin and cut out the ghost costume. Use a black permanent marker to draw on the eyes and you are finished!
We also wired on a treat bucket and I used a few safety pins to attach the ghost sheet to the pants...I got tired of the wind whipping the costume off my little trick-or-treater!
