Halloween inspired wreaths and centerpieces are a fun and easy way to decorate and be ready for whatever tricks or treats the night brings, but buying them at a big box store can get expensive. 

Luckily, there is a great budget-friendly alternative! All it takes is a trip to your local Goodwill retail store, a hot glue gun and a little bit of Halloween spirit.

A recent visit to a local Goodwill produced a grapevine wreath, jack-o-lantern votive candle holders and silver glitter-covered skeleton pieces. A Halloween decorations storage tote in the attic held more than the memories from Halloween’s past. An old light up foil bat and some glittery black felt from a costume build completed the materials needed for the Halloween wreath. 

First things first, the workspace had to be protected, and using an old tablecloth did the trick. Next, the original wrappings on the wreath had to come off, and the lights needed to be pulled out of their current batty form. Once freed, the string of lights worked beautifully to make sure the grapevine wreath did not come apart and added a nice light feature to the finished product. The black felt was sliced into pieces, tied into a bow and carefully glued to the bottom of the wreath. Finally, it was time to glue some pieces of the silver glitter-encrusted skeleton in various points around the wreath.

But, how to use those festive votive candle holders? Even though they did not fit into the wreath as originally planned, they did make the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween/Fall inspired table.  Using an old flat woven basket, the votive holders were nestled into some naturally sourced pine cones. Electronic votive candles that can be found at any craft or discount store completed the look while keeping safety top of mind. No fires or burned fingers on Halloween night allowed!

Now, not only do you have great decorations for Halloween, but you did not have to break the bank to do it. Plus, the money you spent at Goodwill goes right back into your community and helps us further our mission by changing lives and empowering people through health, employment and education. 

To find a Goodwill store near you, visit goodwillindy.org/shop/locations.