Last Minute Halloween Ideas

Today, we’re sharing last minute Halloween ideas for those of you that need quick and easy party suggestions.

It’s also for those of you that were this close to letting the day pass by but have decided to enjoy a little light-hearted last-minute spooky fun this year. 

Our Last Minute Halloween Ideas Inspiration

Truth be told, I’ve never really been into Halloween all that much.  I’ve lived on the island for over 11 years now and not once have we ever had trick or treaters because our properties are all gated.

It’s not that I don’t have a soft spot for Halloween. 

I definitely do. 

In fact, I lost my first tooth on Halloween and was beside myself when I realized blood had gotten on my red crayon costume. 

It seems I was a perfectionist even back then 😊

Thankfully, my Mom scooped me up and grabbed a warm washcloth to help clean everything up.

Once I was calm, she taught me how to spell Halloween. And oh, my word, I remember feeling like such a big deal because Halloween was such a big word.

After that, she gave me a pep talk, reapplied my red lipstick, and off we went, albeit toothless, with plastic jack o lanterns in hand.

Years later, two of the littles asked if I would help them create a “spooky house.”

One day while they were in school, I decided to surprise them. I went to their house and spent the afternoon making everything super festive. 

When they got home, you would have thought I had given them a million dollars because they were screaming and jumping up and down. 

It’s still one of my favorite memories to this day.

While it took a little bit of planning and effort, watching their faces light up was absolutely worth it. And it’s in their honor, we scatter a little bit of Halloween here and there around the house each year now. 

Last-minute Halloween ideas can be festive, super easy to create, and budget-friendly too. 

Here’s a look at how we created last-minute Halloween ideas without a lot of extra fuss this year…

Set a Halloween Tablescape Everyone Can Enjoy

Even if there are only 2 people in your family you can still create a beautiful last-minute Halloween tablescape.  

Plan a festive meal or grab take out, create a signature drink or mocktail, dim the lights, eat by candlelight, and put on some fun music.

It doesn’t have to be fancy at all to be impactful!

Set up a Halloween Treat Station

If hosting a Halloween dinner feels like too much pressure, consider creating a Halloween treat station.   

You don’t even have to bake anything either if you’re short on time. 

Simply pick up a few special treats at your local bakery or the grocery store. Then pile everything together on a treat tower, cake stands, or special Halloween plates.

Layer Creepy Cloth or Faux Spider Webs Around the House

Creepy cloth and faux spider web can usually be found at the dollar store or at your local craft supply store. 

It’s relatively inexpensive and really pops against a white or orange backdrop.

Add Faux Bats or Spiders to the Wall

Adding bats or spiders to the wall is another super easy and budget-friendly way to decorate for Halloween. 

They’re easier to store than Halloween artwork and you can use them year after year if you like. 

Spray Paint Branches Black

Whenever I need something to look spooky or elegant this time of year, I almost always grab my can of black spray paint. 

We made these DIY Halloween trees from fallen branches in our yard, spray painted them black and they were a huge hit for less than $5.

Make Your Pumpkins Festive

This week is a fabulous week to carve or make festive pumpkin decorations if you haven’t already.  It’s a great way to gather your family for some uninterrupted time to be creative and enjoy each other’s company.

Create a Curiosity Cabinet

This curiosity cabinet may take a bit of planning because you’ll need some empty bottles for jars, but it was another one of those budget-friendly and last-minute Halloween ideas the littles thought was really fun.

The bonus is almost everything we placed inside the bottles and jars was available at the grocery store and we loved hearing what the littles thought was inside each one. 

Only one of them guessed the “toenails” in the “witches’ brew” was pistachios 😊 

Dress Up

One of the things that makes Halloween so much fun is dressing up.  There are people that plan their Halloween costume like I plan my Fall front porch, but I am not one of those people. 

While I’m definitely an introvert, I still like to make an effort.  I’m totally ok with a thrifted “Team Zombie” costume and bad makeup as seen here. 

This year, I pulled together pieces I’ll be able to wear again throughout the year. I picked up a mask and hat from Walgreens on sale, ordered a tulle skirt, and called it good.

I know this year is a completely different kind of year because of everything that’s been going on in the world.

Maybe you’re hosting a Halloween party and going all out or maybe you’re planning to avoid it altogether.

If you’re thinking you’ve missed the boat and wondering if decorating is still worth it though, I’ll gently remind you there’s no better time to celebrate big milestones and little milestones than right now.

Let us know if you have any last-minute Halloween ideas to share! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Fall Posts to Enjoy:

• Elegant Fall Home Tour 
• Fall Dining Room Centerpiece 
• Elegant Fall Front Porch 
• A Fall Grapevine Wreath for Beginners
• How to Personalize Pumpkins with Paint 

Many blessings,

CoCo