Set The Mood
The overall atmosphere of the house is just as crucial as the aesthetics. Instead of playing music, why not try playing a CD of creepy, atmospheric music (even Halloween 'themed' music would suffice) and replacing your conventional bulbs with red coloured bulbs for that sharp, blood-splattered effect? Smoke and fog machines are also deceptively cheap and can lend an incredibly authentic, 'graveyard' like fine mist to the evening that will really have your guests talking.
Cobwebs
It might be something of a cliché, but then they say the old ones are always the best ones. Halloween should be the only day of the year when your home is supposed to look bad and with a spattering of cotton or cheesecloth cobwebs covering every nook and cranny, your home will soon look as if it hasn't been lived in for years.
Pumpkins
Again a bit of a cliché but an effective one. Pumpkin carving is one of the few Halloween traditions that has always been popular in Britain and with good reason. It's a fun activity that can involve the whole family in a fun and creative way (and the innards can be used to make a delicious pumpkin soup afterwards!). It encourages creativity in the young and old alike and (crucially) doesn't need to be carved into the traditional grinning skull shape. In fact, whoever said it had to be a pumpkin? Creative Halloween decorators have been known to use everything from squashes to marrows and courgettes as pumpkin alternatives.
Animals
Bats, ravens, spiders, if it has any kind of 'horrific' connotation then it's fair game. Using actual stuffed animals might be taking it a little too far mind. Fake bats are always a good bet as they are especially cheap and can look remarkably effective when used en masse.
Blood
By which we mean fake blood (of course). There are numerous schools of thought when it comes to the red, gooey stuff. Some prefer homemade blood, whilst others prefer the more chemical ‘store-bought' compounds. For an incredibly realistic (albeit messy) and cost-effective approach though, try maple syrup, watered down slightly with a dark red food colouring. The result is particularly realistic in both looks and texture.
Window Decorations
When decorating your windows, subtlety is your best friend, as overdoing it could look tacky. Try placing some 'spooky' cardboard cut-outs against the window behind a thin curtain and then backlight them with a strong, coloured lamp. The shadow cast against the window should be incredibly effective.
The Door
The door is by and large the most important Halloween decoration point of the entire house. A simple poster or a dramatic spattering of removable red paint would be sufficient for a virginal outing, but when you're more experienced, there are a wealth of options you could explore. Turn your driveway into a staged 'scene' from your favourite horror movie or plaster the entire front of your house with bloody foot and handprints. When it comes to Halloween decorations, there is generally no 'wrong' answer.
Of course, it is possible to go too far with your first attempt so whilst you might be expecting a large parcel delivery or two, don’t go overboard. You want to scare people but you don't want to scare them off. On the other hand, don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself either (that's half the fun). Most important of all though, remember to always have fun!
