I can’t say we are Halloween crazy over here, but with three kids I create a little bit of a Halloween atmosphere at our home (I use most of the same decorations year after year). Costumes have already been picked out – this year 1 Raccoon, 1 Hermione (Harry Potter) and 1 knight.

I snapped this picture of my oldest (Frida, 9) the other day when she was playing with the closest to a rat that we have here – our spoiled hamster!

The “kitshy” Halloween tree has been decorated. Still going strong after eight years, I believe. (All things are handmade by artisans).

I also brought out some of the stencil drawings I made last year, on old book pages, if you remember. I keep hanging them on the branches I decoupaged and that you have seen me use as a display for all kinds of  holidays. When it works it works!

A simple wreath on the front door. And a few decorations in the front. Nothing to write home about — but good enough.

 I am still looking for a good cookie/pastry recipe to stick to every year. Perhaps just simple stenciled cupcakes. (Michael’s sells stencils by Martha Stewart).

Here are some other inspirational Halloween decorations I have come across recently.

Paint some plastic animals in flat, black paint. Cut some pushpins and hot glue them on the animal faces. Use a marker to make some pupils on the eyes. I must say that I would jump every single time I passed these spooky creatures at my house! (Inspiration via Sweet Paul).

Spray paint some branches and decorate with black ravens. Simple and dramatic.

 Now I realize, for the first time (!), why I should bring home some old bird cages from the flea market!

And give the chandelier a spooky makeover! This I must try at some point.

Any fun Halloween traditions over at your home?

Warm hugs!

 Images: 1-8 via Splendid Willow, 9, Martha Stewart, 10 via Sweet Paul, 11-13 via Better Homes & Gardens.