Halloween Party Tiered Basket Display

 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

If you would like to make easy Halloween themed party  basket trays for your Halloween party, I am going to share how I made these trays two different ways, using only items from the Dollar Tree.

The first type of tiered basket I made with the one that took three plastic spider web baskets, and two sets of skeleton tongs.  I have to admit while I love the look with the skeleton arms, this way is not that easy to put together.  Place one of the arms through the two bottom basket tiers and attach with either hot glue or a zip tie. Repeat with the other three arms, trying to get them as straight as you can.  The top basket will be placed onto the fingers. 

We used the purple basket pictured above at a current market, and it worked great to hold my sugar cookies.  I learned the hard way though, not to leave them in the car on a really hot day.  I had brought them to our September market, and had to leave them in the car while I was at work, because the market was right after I got off work. It was over 90 degrees that day.  When I got to the market both baskets fell apart because it got so hot in my car that it melted all of the hot glue.  I had to remake them for the October market. 

Recently I heard the skeleton goblets made great tray dividers as well.  I decided to try it, and not only is it easier, but the tray is a bit sturdier.   I made a few of these to use for Halloween and for next year's markets.  

Both types of basket trays would be great for a Halloween party, it will just depend on the look you prefer.  

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DIY a Halloween Ghost Dog

My assistant Brittany was very excited to help make her look-a-like ghost dog.  To make a ghost dog you will need a tomato cage, a rubber or Styrofoam ball, a cardboard tube, craft foam, and either a  white sheet or shower curtain.  I found a white plastic shower curtain at Dollar Tree for $1.25.  I decided to use that since the ghost dogs will be on our front porch.  

In this photo I show how a bit on what to do, and what not to do. I first placed a rubber ball on the very top of the tomato cage, but that made the dog taller than I wanted to be.  Also if you plan to light up your dog it's not the best idea to use a red ball. (I will show you why later in the post.  :) I decided that I had to adjust the size of the tomato cage.

I could not find my picture of what the tomato cage and ball should look like when I was making the dogs, so I took a picture under my finished dog today.   D helped me fold down the top part of the tomato cage.  When we are done with Halloween, the cage can be used again.  After doing this, the ball fit snuggly on the top of the tomato cage.  I used a combination of hot glue and duct tape to attach the cardboard tube to the ball to make the snout.  

I covered the tomato cage with the white shower curtain. I then made eyes and noses out of craft foam.  My golden's ears are made with tan craft foam, my black lab has black felt ears.  

I found some white trick or treat pumpkins at Walmart the other day, and thought they would look cute with the dogs.  I plan place tea lights in them so they light up at night. 

Remember when I said it is not the best idea to use a red ball.  When the dogs are lit up at night, my lab's brains glow red.  LOL!   Oh well, I think it looks kind of cute, like she is a zombie ghost dog. 

Watch for more easy and fun Halloween decor ideas to be posted soon.  

 

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Easy Plastic Pumpkin Pail Crafts

 

Now that Spooky Season is here, plastic pumpkins are available for not only Trick or Treating, but also for crafting. 

 

I bought four plastic pumpkin pails, and used them in different ways to decorate our front porch. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The first pumpkin craft I made was the sitting pumpkin witch. I found the supplies I needed from the Dollar Tree. You will need two sets of witch legs, and a witch hat.  I found everything for $1.25 each.  

One set of the witch legs will be used for the pumpkin's legs. I filled them with a plastic bag to give them a little bit of dimension. 

Since they do not sell witch arms, I had to alter the second set of witch legs.  I cut out the shape of mitten out of the felt shoes, so it looked like the picture above. 

I also filled the arms with plastic bags to give them dimension as well. I attached both the arms and legs to the pumpkin with hot glue.  

 The last step was to remove the plastic handle and glue on the witch hat. I only glued it about 2/3 of the way around though, because you want some space to add a tea light or push light. Both types of lights are available the Dollar Tree. 

A very simple way to add some Halloween fun to your porch is by making a Halloween lantern.  Dollar Tree has planter chains near their floral section for $1.25.  I am not sure if they are available all year or if they are seasonal.

We hung this pumpkin on the front of our porch and added a Dollar Tree Strobe light that changes colors.

I don't have a good picture of pumpkin we placed around the light fixture on our porch. First we cut off the handle, then cut down the back of the pumpkin.  Depending on the size if the light fixture you will need to remove the bottom of the pumpkin and some of the back so that it fits around your light fixture. 

The last pumpkin craft that I made is to make a pumpkin head candlestick.  I found a black pillar candlestick  at the Dollar Tree and glue it to the bottom of the pumpkin.  I also added a gem spider from the Halloween party section. 

If you order from DollarTree.com, they are offering Free Shipping up to $50 through Sept 7th with the code FREESHIP.   If available you can also have items shipped free to your local store!

Happy Crafting! 

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