Ma, Look What I Got: Frightful Furnishings

My husband and I have had major issues with adhesive things ripping the paint off the walls and leaving little naked spots. This kind of puts a damper on potential decorations for our Halloween party. Streamers and fake cobwebs would've been the cheapest way to go, but those are out, as is anything else requiring tape. So I had to get crafty. Obviously, I wasn't about to spend a lot of money, so I gave myself a $20 budget to get everything--including paper cups and plates.

And I was victorious. If you're having a party, too, or if you just want your house to look creepy, feel free to steal any of these ideas.

We'll go from most expensive to least expensive. First, the dining room:

I made that! All of the black flowers and feathers were 50% at Michael's the day I went, and I got all of them for just under $8. The vase--from Hobby Lobby--was also 50% off, and was probably the best deal I got because I can use it year-round. It was $1.50. The black rocks, another HL purchase, were $2.77. The Nightmare Before Christmas salt and pepper shakers were an early birthday present from a friend, so those were free. Total: $12.27.

Next, the living room end tables:

IKEA was kind enough to sell 8 orange candles for $2.99, and the glass holders were a wedding gift. New total: $15.26.

Finally, saving the most inventive for last, these will be placed around the room(s):

They're empty now, but they'll be filled with pictures of classic movie monsters that I'll print at work. Free! And I should mention that all of these were gifted to me over the years. Also free! Unchanged total: $15.26.

I got paper cups ($2.50) and plates ($1.50), too, but I didn't bother taking any pictures. They're just orange. Grand total: $19.26.

We'll have a few other Halloween-y things around the house that we already owned: towels in the kitchen and bathroom, a sign on the front door, and a to-be-determined scary movie playing in the background on my husband's mostrous 42" TV. I think we're set.

Did you decorate for Halloween? Are you having a party? Have you accidentially ripped some paint off with tape? Let's talk.