How To Decorate A Cozy Boo-licious Home

Thursday, October 19, 2017



One of the joys that I look forward to during the fall season is decorating my house for Halloween. I collect Halloween decorations year round.   Best time to buy Halloween and fall stuff is off-season. A lot of times I am not in the shopping mood to buy holiday stuff in the heat of summer but I make myself do it anyway. If I come across them during my travels, I buy them. I created a little space in my closet where I toss these decorations where I forget about them until pay them a visit in the fall. I always do a self-congratulatory pat on my back for thinking ahead.

Over the years, I collected little Halloween things that I have learned to really treasure over the years such as the little Halloween house that I got from my church's donation storage with my mom during one of my parents' visits here in the US. I have 3 Halloween Barbie Dolls that Mr Sweetie and I bought when one of the major toy stores  closed for business. I remember that they were so cheap -- less than $5 each -- that I could not resist. I really treasure the Halloween lamps that I got from Costco for myself and baby nephew who is now 14 years old. When Mr Sweetie and I went to Mexico, I bought a few Dia de los Muertos items. Then I discovered Target. If you want cute but cheap Halloween decors -- Target got your back (and your spooky stuff ) for $3 a piece! 

So here is a Starter's Halloween Decoration List for your home:

1, Pumpkin Spice Candles -- Easy to get. Buy 2-3 and they will immediately put  you in the Halloween mood.

2. Fairy Lights -- You might not want to take them down and keep them year round for year round holiday feels.

3. Pumpkins -- Real, glass and not real.  Pumpkins spell H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N and F-A-L-L and H-A-R-V-E-S-T.

4.  Fall Artwork and Prints -- To remind us that fall is also for remembering to be grateful for a warm home, family, friends and all the blessings that are bestowed to us year round.

5. Fluffy Scary Things -- Bats, owls, and things that are creepy and scary but will not give you nightmares. (If monsters and gore are your thing, then go for it! It is your home after all!)
  
6.  Skulls -- If you are lucky enough to live near a Latino neighborhood such as the Mission in San Francisco, or if you travel to Mexico, grab a skull or two. (Except Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has nothing to do with American Halloween. As a Filipina, we have a similar tradition in the Philippines of commemorating the Day of the Dead on November 1. I grew up with this tradition minus the skulls.)

7. Bucket of Chocolates -- For the little vampires and fairies who will be ringing your bell. If you have sweet tooth and no self-control, get the candies that you do not like but will be devoured by little fangs.

However you start you Halloween Decor collection, just have fun. Get a box and start to fill it with little things that will be filled with priceless warm memories over the years of cozy, chilly fall evenings by yourself with a book and cup of tea, or with loved ones sharing a pumpkin pie. 

Places to find and buy Halloween stuff for cheap or free:

1. Target  -- many cute items for about $3 each.

2. Thrift stores such as Goodwill, Salvation Army because one person's reject is another happy woman's Halloween decor.

3. Garage sale or your church's donation bin -- Upcycling and great for the environment!

4. Crate and Barrel/Pottery Barn Outlets -- Will 70 percent off be incentive enough?! 

5. Home Goods, Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx -- Run, don't walk!

6. Trader Joe's for pumpkins and everything pumpkin spice  must have's -- teas, biscotti, candles, coffee, pumpkin Jo-Jo's, etc!

If still at lost, go and get yourself a pumpkin! Have a spooky and cozy Halloween!

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