Goodwill has what you need to decorate for any holiday…but Halloween at Goodwill is special! Gather your creativity and head on over to the nearest Goodwill to easily create Halloween décor on a budget!
Step 1: Shop at Goodwill!
Visit your favorite Goodwill and grab anything that inspires you! If you’re not sure where to start, I suggest the Toy Aisle. There is something extra creepy about taking a doll or stuffed toy, that was originally cute and cozy, and transforming it into something terrifying!
Also, be sure to check out the Miscellaneous Aisle for construction goodies and décor. Adding a quick coat of black or white paint on almost any object makes for a great blank canvas.
You can also check out our selection of new Halloween accessories and decorations to enhance your Halloween creations.
Step 2: Scavenge your own drawers and shelves!
Gather together any art supplies or unused items you have around the house. You never know where your imagination could take you!
Here are some ideas for craft supplies you might have on-hand:
Craft or very strong glue, Nail polish in all shades, Scissors or shears, White correction fluid, Yarn and thread, and Candles
Step 3: Put it all together!
Go ahead, get weird! Unpack your goodies and decide which elements might work well together. And don’t be afraid to mix and match items, your creations will “evolve” as you get going. A jagged edge or a drop of fake blood here and there is only going to make your monster better! And if there’s some original fur color peeking through your paint, don’t worry – it adds a distressed feeling and the appearance that your creature transformed. There’s no need to be precise or meticulous!
Some items become spookier with a simple a coat of white or black paint – transforming those everyday objects into a Halloween centerpiece! Your goal is to have fun!
Featured Creatures Tutorial
Franken-Moose
You will need:
Stuffed Moose Doll $2.99
Monster Claws $2.99
Horn Headpiece $2.99
Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Buck-Teeth $3.49
Bloody Fingers $1.29
Bloody Eyeballs $1.29
Craft Glue
Black paint
Scissors
Follow these steps:
Cut off those friendly antlers!
Trim and separate the horns so that they can be inserted into your moose head
Cut holes along the seam where the antlers were just wide enough to insert your horns
Once the horns are in place, use glue to secure the plush fur to the horn
Cut open the moose’s mouth along a seam if there is one
Use glue to arrange your Buck-Teeth any which way you like
I used three sets on top and one set on bottom
I used nail polish to paint his lips for more contrast—this is optional
Cut open the moose’s feet along the seam and remove the bottom sole
Remove a bit of batting to make room for the claws
Use glue to cover the claw with the plush on top and secure the edge along the bottom
He’s not scary enough!!
Glue bloody eyeballs on top of the moose’s eyes
Glue bloody fingers in his mouth so that it looks like he’s chomping away at them
For a last touch, use a little black makeup paint to give him flared nostrils
Creepy Crawly Baby
You will need:
Baby Doll $2.99
Insect Stuffed Animal—wasp, bee, spider $2.99
Black Spray Paint
Scissors
Craft Glue
Follow these steps:
Spray paint your baby doll entirely in black paint
If your stuffed animal is too friendly, spray him too!
Let dry and decide what bits should be combined for the best effect
Start “Frankensteining!”
I chose the head and the hands of the baby and attached them to the wasp, but you could easily have taken the legs and the wings of the wasp and attached them to the baby
Use plenty of glue to make it look like a seamless attachment
Disturbing Doll
You will need:
Porcelain Doll $2.99
Bag of Roaches $2.99
White Spray Paint
Scissors
Craft Glue
Follow these steps:
I found this doll already cracked and just encouraged her damage a bit more by removing her hair and poking out the glass eyes
Spray paint her hands and head all white
Fill her head with roaches or spiders or rats
I found that she needed just a little hair to make her even more disturbing, so I trimmed a bit to cover just the edge of her head, letting the bugs show at the top and spill out of the crack in her face
Vampire Kitty
You will need:
Stuffed Hello Kitty $2.99
Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Fangs $3.49
Pumpkin Face Accessories $2.99
Black Spray Paint
Red Nail Polish
Scissors
Craft Glue
Follow these steps:
Cut off any charming bows or flowers
Spray paint your entire kitty black leaving just the center of her face white
When dry, map out your fangs to determine how wide to cut your mouth
I used two sets of small sharp teeth and two sets of medium fangs
Starting from the center, use plenty of glue to secure your teeth
When dry and set use red nail polish to paint your fangs to create the illusion of blood
I also used the nail polish around the edge of the mouth
Use the “eyebrows” of the Pumpkin Face Accessories as claws
Poke three holes in each paw and use lots of glue to secure each black plastic “claw”
Paint the tips of each claw with red nail polish to match the kitty’s bloody fangs
I used a little black face paint around the kitty’s nose—this is optional
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to create maximum effect! These are just a few spooky ideas to inspire you. Visit your nearest Goodwill today and find your next Halloween project!
