Holiday decorating doesn't have to be expensive or harmful to the planet. With a bit of creativity, you can bring the spirit of Halloween and Día de los Muertos into your home in a way that's not only budget-friendly but also sustainable. I created some easy, eco-friendly projects to help you celebrate ghosts, witches, and ancestors without breaking the bank or adding to our landfills. As well as shared great designs by other amazing creatives.
Tell a Story With a Theme
Before you start splashing orange and purple all over the house, think about the story you want to tell this October. Is this the year of spooky chills and jump scares? Or are you drawn to something magical, nostalgic, or honoring the dead?
This year, I decided to be all about honoring magic and our ancestors, so I went with a Witch Apothecary and Café theme. You might want to collaborate with roommates, neighbors, or family members to create a cohesive story for your decorations. Themed events are always more fun when everyone gets involved!
Reuse & Repurpose: Decorate Without Waste
The most affordable and eco-conscious decorations are often the ones you make yourself using items you already have. Here are a few of my favorite DIY ideas:
Toilet Paper Roll Candy Garland: Turn toilet paper rolls into whimsical candy-shaped garlands. Check out this tutorial for easy instructions.
Toilet Paper Roll Bat: Make adorable bats from toilet paper rolls. These little guys can be hung up or placed around the house. Find the guide here.
Toilet Paper Roll Candy Corn: This tutorial transforms cardboard rolls into charming candy corn decorations. Watch how it's done here.
DIY Cardboard Spooks: Grab some old cardboard boxes, cut out spooky shapes, and paint them to fit your theme. These can be ghosts, pumpkins, or even your version of skeletal creatures!
Dried Flowers for a Witchy Vibe: Hang dried flowers for a simple, enchanting decoration. They add an eerie, antique look perfect for both Halloween and Día de los Muertos.
Create with a Purpose
Repurpose items around the house for a unique twist on decorations:
Honor Altars or Wishing Corners: If you're celebrating Día de los Muertos, create a small altar with photos, jewelry of the deceased, candles, and offerings (such as favorite foods) to honor loved ones who have passed. This can be a meaningful, personal space for reflection. Alternatively, you can create a wishing corner with symbols of things you want to manifest in the coming year.
Repurpose Bottles: Old glass bottles can become potion jars, apothecary bottles, or candle holders with a bit of paint and creativity. (Stay tuned for a tutorial on this!)
Spray Paint Thrifted Finds: Don’t underestimate thrift store finds! You can transform figurines and decorations with a can of spray paint. DIY pros like DIY Danie and CozyJunkStudio offer great ideas on how to upcycle these pieces to fit any Halloween or Día de los Muertos style.
Scarfs and fabrics: Look through your closet for inspiration. You never know when something may work as a table end or tapestry.
Intention Shadow Box: Highlight important memories or set an intention with decorations and items in a shadow box. You can hang these on the wall or place them on a table; a wonderful option for when space is limited.
3D Printing for Unique Halloween & Día de los Muertos Decorations
If you have access to a 3D printer, this is a great way to make personalized, reusable decorations that add a custom touch to your holiday setup. Plus, 3D printing allows you to create designs that would be hard to find in stores or make by hand. Here are some ideas to inspire your 3D printed creations:
1. Día de los Muertos Sugar Skulls
Create your own beautiful sugar skull figurines, a traditional symbol for Día de los Muertos. You can print them in white and paint them with vibrant colors, or use different filament colors to customize your skulls. They can be placed on altars or scattered around your home for a colorful, festive vibe. Search for free or affordable 3D models online to get started, or design your own if you're feeling creative.
2. Spooky Halloween Props
3D printing allows you to craft intricate, spooky decorations that are perfect for Halloween. Some popular options include:
Bats and other Flying Creatures
Print these bats by jdicerchio
Miniature tombstones for a haunted graveyard scene.
3D-printed spiders that you can hang from the ceiling.
Connect to childhood by having some Pokemon and other spooky cartoons
Gengar model by ABC3D
Witch cauldrons or potion bottles to complement a magical, witchy theme.
Many websites offer free 3D printable files for these items, or you can modify existing designs to suit your theme.
3. Customizable Accessories for Costumes
Why not use your 3D printer to create wearable accessories for costumes? Items like witch pendants, bone jewelry, or sugar skull masks can be printed, painted, and added to your ensemble. This way, your costume becomes as sustainable and unique as your decorations.
4. 3D Printed Candle Holders
Create intricately designed candle holders that can hold LED candles (for safety) or traditional wax candles. These can be styled for either Halloween or Día de los Muertos. Choose skeleton hands or skull motifs, or even create an altarpiece to hold candles for an honoring ceremony.
Where to Find 3D Printing Files:
You don’t have to design from scratch! Websites like Thingiverse, Cults3D, MakerLab by BambuLab MyMiniFactory have tons of accessible or affordable designs for Halloween and Día de los Muertos decorations. Download and print the files at home or through a local maker space.
Pro Tip: Read the descriptions of the model to make sure you follow extra directions
Pro Tip Two: Check to see if there are reviews of the models or Remixes.
(Leave me a comment on my profile and I'll check out your designs) :)
Smart Shopping
Plan Ahead
The best time to shop for Halloween and Día de los Muertos is in August and September when thrift stores and clearance sections are just starting to display holiday items. You’ll find the best deals on fabrics, decorations, and crafting supplies during these early months.
Pro tip: Stock up after the holidays. Once November 2nd hits, retailers discount all holiday items. Grab those deals at 75% off or more, and save your finds for next year!
Multiple Purposes
Consider buying items that can be used for multiple months, such as using colors like reds and oranges that will work from late September into late November.
By mixing reuse, repurpose, and smart shopping, you can create a beautifully haunting or soulfully honoring home for the holidays while reducing your environmental footprint. What story will you tell this October? Let your creativity guide you!
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