Spooky Halloween DIYs to get your scare on

By Lucy Rogers, Reporter

        Just because there will not be normal trick-or-treating this year, it does not mean people should not decorate for Halloween. With Halloween just around the corner, there is no time to waste! So I have gathered my three favorite easy DIYs to spookify homes.

Spooky Candles (Earnest Home Co.)
        My family always has a bunch of random jars lying around, so why not make use of them? Materials required are: a clear jar, spray paint, a spooky sticker or decal, and tweezers (optional).
The first step is to put a sticker or decal onto the jar. Make sure the jar is clean and that there are no air bubbles or wrinkles in the sticker or decal. This is especially important on the corners because paint could leak through the sticker or decal which would obstruct the shape.
        Next, spray paint the outside of the jar. I used black, but any color works. After the jar is completely coated, leave it overnight so it can fully dry.
        Finally, once the paint is dry, carefully peel the sticker off with either the tweezers or your fingers. When using tweezers, pull from the center of the sticker to avoid scratching the paint. Put a candle inside or fill it with candy. No matter what, it will make an awesome decoration!

 

Tiny Popsicle Stick Cemetery (Ashley Hacksaw)

        This project is perfect for anyone who wants a spooky fairy garden. Materials required are: popsicle sticks, wire cutters (or scissors), picture-hanging wire (preferably smaller gauge), glue, and paint.
        The first step is to make a fence. The fence can be as big as one likes. Using the wire cutters (or scissors), cut the bottom of a popsicle stick off so that it is flat. I recommend measuring out how much is being cut so that the popsicle sticks are even. Next, cut the top into a triangle. Repeat this until the fence is as big as desired. Now use the picture-hanging wire to tie them together. To do this, tightly twist two long pieces of wire together. Next place the popsicle stick in between the two wires and twist it tightly again. The twists should be tight enough that the popsicle stick does not fall out. Repeat with all the popsicle sticks, and cut off the ends of the wire. Do this twice, once on the bottom and once on the top.
        Next is making tiny tombstones. Cut off the top of a popsicle stick and make the preferred shape― I mostly kept mine round. Next cut off a flat square piece for the base. Now glue! To make the pieces hold better, etch the base piece with the scissors.
        Lastly, paint! I painted my fence black and my tombstones grey with white wording, but do whatever feels right.

Tape Ghosts (Instructable Crafts)
        This project is my favorite and it is fun to do with friends. Materials required are: plastic wrap or saran cling wrap, a model, clear packing tape, stuffing material (optional), and a tape cutter (or scissors, but a tape cutter is safer).
        First, choose a model. One can wrap themselves, a friend, or a doll. When wrapping oneself, have someone else be an assistant so that they can help reach areas like the back. I am going to assume the model is a person, but the steps are the same for a doll.
        Wrap the model's arm with plastic wrap. It should be tight and cover the whole arm. Always make sure not to cut off the model’s circulation. If the plastic wrap is too long, cut the roll in half to make it more manageable.
        Next, start taping the model's arm. The more tape used, the sturdier the mold will be. Once again, cover all areas and wrap tightly, but do not cut off circulation.
        With the tape cutter, carefully cut the tape mold off of the arm. Make as few cuts as possible so that repairing the mold will be easier. Scissors can also be used, but be extremely careful not to cut the model.
        Next, use small pieces of tape to repair the mold. Once it is completely sealed, reinforce it with material such as newspaper. This is optional but will improve its durability.
        Finally, repeat this process with the remaining body parts. It is easier to make molds in sections, so do not wrap the entire body all at once. It does not matter which body part is first, and it is not required to do them all. For example, some people just do legs and hang them from the ceiling. For a full body, tape the sections together to repair the mold.
        Remember, never wrap someone's head. This could cause suffocation. Instead, use a mannequin, a mask, or a doll head.
        There is an unlimited number of ways to pose or place the molds, so have fun with it!
        If you make these DIYs, let us know and they will be posted on the Riptide’s Instagram. Happy Halloween!