Having a Halloween party?  It’s not really a party without a pinata!  And on such a candy-centric holiday, it’s even more appropriate.  Using a basic pinata-making technique, Jamie at Eighteen25 whipped up this adorable and super easy pumpkinheaded guy.  She even provides a free printable of Jack-o-lantern facial features, so all you have to do is glue!  [how to make a Jack-o-lantern pinata]

Project estimate:

• Balloon, on hand or $1
• Newspaper, on hand
• Papier mache paste, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, $1 and up
• Cupcake liner, on hand or $1
• Printable Jack-o-lantern faces, free
• Glue, on hand
• Candy for filling pinata, $1 and up

Total: $2 and up

The post Make a Jack-O-Lantern Pinata appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you’re throwing a Halloween party, chances are you’ve already got balloons and crepe paper streamers on your shopping list.  Make sure you grab some googly eyes too, because then you’ll be able to make these adorable mummy balloons from Haeley at Design Improvised.  Make sure you stop by her blog and check out her entire series of balloon decorating ideas – this mummy is just one character in a whole cast of Halloween balloon monsters, and they’re all just as cute and easy as this one!   [how to make mummy balloons]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, on hand or $1
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make Mummy Balloons appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Are you planning a Halloween party this year? You don’t want to spend all of that time making a costume and decorations, then just stick a jar of salsa and bag of chips out for snacking, right? Here are lots of sweet – and a few savory – ideas for your ghoulish spread.

1. Frankenstein Rice Crispy Treats – How cute are these bright green treats?

2. Caramel-Apple Milkshake – Your guests will love making their own Halloween-themed shakes.

3. Vampire Cupcakes – You can use any cupcake recipe you like for these spooooky cupcakes.

4. Apple Bites – These spooky monster mouths use only three ingredients.

5. Mint Chocolate Bars – Sneak something healthy onto the table with a batch of bright green chocolatey treats that contain no artificial colors.

6. Ghost, Pumpkin and Mummy Pizzas – Who says all Halloween treats have to be sweet? These spooky mini pizzas are definitely in the Halloween spirit.

7. Spooky Hummus – I know, hummus isn’t very scary. But add a little spiderweb food art, and you can transform black bean hummus into an on-theme savory snack.

8. Homemade Candy Corn – Store-bought candy corn is delicious, but does it come in adorable heart shapes?

9. DIY Candy Bracelets – Remember candy bracelets? This homemade version looks like such a fun Halloween activity!

10. “Ghoul”-camole with Homemade Ghost-Shaped Chips – Make your own spooky corn chips from stale corn tortillas for this savory Halloween treat.

The post 10 Halloween Party Treats to Make at Home appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Dressing a table is kind of like dressing your body; adding the right accessories and some layering are all it takes to make inexpensive pieces look like they came straight out of a magazine.  If you are new to plate chargers, think of them like camisoles for your dinner plates.  They add an extra layer that makes all the difference in your styling!  If you’ve ever shopped for chargers you know that they can be a little pricey.  That is, unless you make your own!  Susan at Oh My! Creative used some Halloween serving platters from the dollar store to make a festive set of chargers for her holiday table, with the cost starting at just a buck per charger.  Your guests will be super impressed by your fancy table setting!  [how to make Halloween plate chargers]

Project estimate:

• Halloween platter, $1
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Glitter, on hand or $1
• Rhinestones, on hand or $1

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Halloween Plate Chargers appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

While part of me wants to claim that candy is my favorite part of Halloween (I am totally addicted to those Russell Stover chocolate pumpkins filled with various delicious substances), there is actually one thing that I love about Halloween even more: dressing up!  Halloween costumes are serious business among my circle of friends, with some of them being planned and worked on nearly a year in advance.  And of course, people who are that serious about their costumes are also serious about costume contests!  If you’re hosing a Halloween party with a costume contest this year, here is an idea from Mizerella at 102 Wicked Things To Do.  She turned dollar store skeletons into a whole set of adorable trophies!  I love how she re-articulated the skeletons to pose them appropriately for each different award.  Move over Oscars and Emmys, the Skellies have arrived!  [how to make skeleton costume contest trophies]

Project estimate:

• Skeletons, $1
• Wooden plaques, $1
• Glue, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand
• Embellishments, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

The post Make Skeleton Costume Contest Trophies appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Whether you are hosting a Halloween party for adults or for children, this is a fun idea that guests of all ages will enjoy!  Nat and Holly from My Sister’s Suitcase came up with a way for everyone to customize their own drinks, turning them into Jack-o-lanterns that can be consumed at the party, or sent home as favors.  They used orange soda to create their pumpkin bottles, but you could also use orange juice or any other appropriately-colored beverage.  [how to make Jack-o-lantern soda bottles]

Project estimate:

• Soda or juice, $1 and up
• Dry erase markers, on hand or $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Jack-O-Lantern Soda Bottles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Halloween is right around the corner on your calendar. Don’t let that scare you though – there are plenty of witches, goblins and ghosts to do that! Are you still not sure how to decorate your mantle, what perfect dessert to make for your party or what costume to wear? Hopefully these links will inspire you to do some last-minute crafting, baking and creating that will “wow” everyone!

Food

Halloween Desserts—Pumpkin Oreo Pops by The Idea Room [Pictured]
Amy at the Idea Room has a thing for Oreo pops. Be sure to check out her other Halloween pops while you’re there.

Easy Halloween Appetizers by All You
As their site says, the only thing your guests will love more than the slightly spooky touches is how delicious they taste.

Last-Minute Treat Ideas by Wilton
Wilton is the expert on decorating cakes, cookies, candies and pops; so stop by and see all their great decorating ideas for Halloween.

Creepy Eyeball Cookies by The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle
These cookies are both creepy and cute and are quick to whip up.

Bloody Fingers by Recipe.com
Recipe.com has a whole bunch of great Halloween recipes. Check out the “More Like This” section on the left side of the page for more gruesomely tasty recipes!

Dinner and a Scary Movie! -12 recipes inspired by frightening flicks by Babble
This is genius. Sit down to a movie and eat a dish inspired by it. I’ll say it again – genius!

Halloween Treats for Kids by All You
Give more treats and less tricks this year with these great recipes.

Halloween Center by Kraft
Not only are there some great recipes here, but Kraft also includes pumpkin stencils, party ideas and fun Halloween games.

Chocolate Caramel Apple Cauldron by Hungry Happenings
I was absolutely amazed when I saw these. If you can make these for a Halloween party (or at least one), you’ll be the envy of the whole town.

Crafts and Decor

Aged Halloween Potion Bottle Labels by Little Birdies at Make and Takes [Pictured]
These labels are a great way to reuse old jars as Halloween decor for a party or mantle.

Three Halloween Pillows {tutorial} by Tatertots and Jello
Jen shows us how to make Trick or Treat and witch pillows and will even provide the SVG files for your Silhouette if you’re interested!

How to make a mummy doll by 5 Orange Potatoes
These are a cute and easy project to whip together for your kids, or as Halloween decor.

DIY Family Spooky Stories Book by Make and Takes
This is a great way for your kids to practice their handwriting and write down spooky stories to read to each other every year.

Project: Halloween Pillow Covers by Craftzine
These felt applique pillow covers let you decorate for Halloween easily every year. PDF patterns included!

Freebies and Printables

Trick or Treat Printable by Landee See, Landee Do [Pictured]
I literally laughed out loud when I saw this. I’m definitely incorporating this in my Halloween decorations!

Free Halloween Chevron Printable! by Tatertots and Jello
This “Eat, Drink and Be Scary” printable is pretty cute!

{Free Printable} Halloween Cupcake Toppers by home.made.
Rhonda provides us with 12 great cupcake toppers for our Halloween bash.

Fall Printable by A Step in the Journey
LB created a great fall printable that reminds us what the season has in store.

Printable Halloween Finger Puppets by Make and Takes
These cute finger puppets are a great craft for a kid’s Halloween party.

Digital Halloween Papers by My Grafigo
I just downloaded these and love them. Can’t wait to use them for a decor project.

{Good} Witch Tea Party!! [and free Halloween Printables] by Tatertots and Jello
It looks like Jen had a great time at her tea party, and her free printables will help you have a great party too.

Halloween Checklist by Sweet Coconut Lime
Print out this cute checklist to make sure you don’t miss out on any Halloween fun!

Free Printable Halloween Party Kit by My Grafigo
Everything you need for a great Halloween party.

Roundups

Great Ideas — 20 Amazingly HARD to Choose from Halloween Projects!! by Tatertots and Jello [Pictured by She’s Crafty]
Jen has just as hard a time picking out just one project as we do – that’s why we both love roundups!

Easy Halloween Ideas by All You
Ideas for homemade costumes, decorations, parties and recipes and treats.

How To Halloween: Projects from Bloggers (e-book PDF) by favecrafts
Want some good Halloween reading on the go? This free e-book is the way to do it.

Great Ideas — Spooky Halloween Recipes {part 1} and {part 2} by Tatertots and Jello
Jen couldn’t just give us one recipe roundup, she gave us two.

Previous DSC Posts and Roundups

Make a Mummy Necklace

The Best of DSC: Halloween Edition

Make Day of the Dead Planters

Halloween Craft: Egg Witch Favor

Halloween Craft: Jack-o’-Lantern Twins

Make a Glove into a Zombie Squirrel

Halloween Craft: Jack-o’-Lantern Bowl

Halloween Craft: Cute Dracula Egg Favor

Make a Steampunk Goggles Masquerade Mask

Make a Glam Halloween T-shirt Wreath

Spray Paint a Candy Corn Wreath

Make Eyeball Hair Sticks

Make Bat Wall Stickers

Make a Princess Crown Headband

Make a Mummy Trick-or-Treat Bucket

The post 30+ Last-Minute Halloween Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Looking for a different idea for your Halloween party invitations?  You’ve heard of messages delivered by carrier pigeons (and owls if you’re into wizardry), but what could be more Halloween-appropriate than an invite delivered via crow?  Hope from Gets Bored Easily used some realistic-looking crows from the dollar store to hold her rolled-up invitations; their pre-wired feet made the execution quick and simple!  [how to make crow Halloween party invitations]

Project estimate:

• Crow, $1
• Paper, on hand

Total:  $1 each

The post Make Crow Halloween Party Invitations appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.