Wool webs, faceless mannequins and creepy lights- five budget Halloween decoration ideas that won’t cost the Earth

With a bit of creativity, you can transform common household items and secondhand goods into haunting Halloween decorations. As Halloween approaches, Australians are expected to spend an estimated $450 million on costumes, candy, and decor for trick-or-treaters and festivities. However, if you’re looking to avoid new or single-use products, this October offers a chance to embrace a sustainable Halloween while saving some money. I spoke with a home stylist and reuse expert who shared insightful tips on creating low-waste decorations that are both spooky and budget-friendly.

**1. Homemade Spiderwebs**
Fake spiderwebs are a Halloween staple, but many are made from plastic or synthetic materials. Instead, you can achieve the same look using natural fibers like wool, cotton muslin, or hessian. In a pinch, even old woolen insulation, worn-out stockings, or potato sacks can be cut and frayed to create cobwebs. “If you have old white stockings that your kids have outgrown, just cut them into strands and drape them around,” suggests Chantel Mila, a Melbourne-based home stylist. To protect wildlife, she recommends loosely draping your cobwebs, preferably on fences rather than in trees or bushes.

**2. Transforming Sheets and Sacks into Ghosts**
Do you have an old sheet? Congratulations – you have a ghost! By scrunching, tearing, or drawing on old sheets or hessian bags, you can create spooky spirits. Kirsten Junor, the CEO of Sydney reuse center Reverse Garbage, suggests stuffing an old towel into a tied-off sheet to make a ghostly figure. “We sell a lot of hessian sacks, and they look really eerie when they’re torn up,” she adds. For a ghost that stands independently, Mila recommends using a pool noodle as the body, dressing it in kids’ clothes, and draping it with white fabric or a tablecloth, finishing it off with some paper eyes for a DIY ghost.

**3. Creepy Hands from Old Gloves**
Got some old dishwashing gloves? You can create haunting hand molds with plaster of Paris. Junor explains, “Prepare the plaster according to the instructions, pour it into the glove, and tie it securely. Dry it on a rounded surface for a hollow hand shape, then cut away the glove and paint your creation.”

**4. Using Mannequins for a Chilling Effect**
While not a common household item, discarded mannequins can be found at reuse centers or online marketplaces. “We often see people coming in for mannequin parts around Halloween, which is fun,” Junor mentions. These faceless or headless figures need little alteration to add an unsettling vibe.

**5. Repurposing Christmas Lights**
Transform festive lights from “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Halloween” by pairing them with spooky decorations. Mila notes that instead of purchasing new lights, she uses fairy lights that can double as Christmas decor. “Just buy a single set of lights that you can use for both occasions,” she suggests. Plus, after Halloween, you might want to leave them up since Christmas is only a couple of months away.

These tips show how easy it can be to create a spooktacular Halloween while also being mindful of the planet and your wallet. So, why not get crafty this October?