Halloween DIY: 3 ideas to create a chic, haunted atmosphere

Halloween is fast approaching, and if, like me, you're passionate about autumn, its shimmering colors and decorating, this holiday is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself and let your creativity run wild. In this article, I'm going to share with you some simple, economical and fun ideas for making your own Halloween decorations. No need to be a DIY pro, the aim is to create, have fun and bring the spirit of the season to life!

1. The witches' broom

To make a witch's broom, you'll need three items: twigs or small dry branches for the broom bristles, a straight, sturdy branch about 1 to 1.5 meters long for the handle, and a bit of string.

Start by gathering all the twigs together and placing them at one end of the large branch, so that they surround the base. For the traditional effect, leave the tips of the twigs sticking out at least 30-40 cm. Then take the twine and wrap it several times around the small branches to hold everything securely in place.

2. Halloween garlands

To make Halloween garlands, all you need are a few simple materials: sheets of paper in the color of your choice, a pencil and a pair of scissors.

Start by cutting a rectangle from your sheet of paper, approximately 40 cm long and 10 cm wide. Then fold this rectangle like an accordion, making regular folds every 4 cm. When you've finished, you'll have a small rectangle measuring 10 cm by 4 cm. On one side, draw half of a silhouette (such as a bat, pumpkin or ghost), then carefully cut around the outline you've drawn. Be careful not to cut completely through the ends where the fold meets, as this will keep the shapes connected.

Once you've cut out all the silhouettes, all you have to do is gently unwind the accordion to reveal your garland!

3. The pumpkin hollowed out like a lantern

You can't celebrate Halloween in style without digging up some pumpkins! It's a must-have for the season, whether you're doing it with the kids or for your own pleasure. Here's how to make the perfect Halloween lantern.

You'll need a medium-sized knife with a pointed tip, a soup spoon, felt, sandpaper and a few small candles to light up your creation.

Start by cutting off the pumpkin's “hat”, i.e. the top part, taking care to make an angled cut so that the hat doesn't fall off once it's on. Then, using the spoon, scoop out the inside of the pumpkin, removing seeds and fibers. Don't forget to dig deep, as this will make it easier to cut out your design later on. If you like to cook, you can keep the flesh to make a Halloween soup, or try out the the pumpkin gnocchi with sage recipe !

Once you've emptied the inside, it's time to bring your pumpkin to life. Using the felt-tip pen, draw the face or design of your choice on the outside. You can opt for the traditional scary face, or dare to experiment with more creative designs. Once your design is ready, carefully cut out the outline with the knife. For a cleaner look, smooth the edges of your cut-outs with sandpaper.

Finally, place a few candles inside the pumpkin, light them, then carefully replace the hat.