Since I graduated from elementary school, I haven’t been much of a fan of Halloween. Having kiddos, though, made me appreciate the holiday in an entirely different light. (Really, I appreciate every holiday in much more depth…an opportunity for themed crafts? Sign me up!)
I just decorated our mantle and shelves for Halloween, and I still love the little wreath the girls and I made about three years ago, when they were a little more than 2 1/2.
I bought a package of foam pumpkin shapes from the dollar bin at Target. I asked the girls what kind of expressions they would like…a smile or a frown…and I cut some shapes from black felt. I let the girls sort through my button collection to find three sets of two buttons. And I cut a green leaf from some scrap foam. The girls were able to glue the findings in place, and I attached them to a small grapevine wreath I found at the craft store. I added a little bit of polka-dot ribbon to finish the look, and this little creation has been adorning our den each Halloween since. I love the different expressions on the pumpkins’ faces!
Even more than our wreath, I love our collection of Halloween family pictures. I didn’t set out for this to become a tradition…the girls’ first Halloween I just happened to take advantage of a neighbor walking by and I asked her to make a picture of the four of us. Now, I make special arrangements to have someone take our picture. I love adding a new photo each year!
I had the idea a couple of years ago to paint wooden frames to display our family pictures. I bought these unfinished frames at the craft store for $1 each (usually less a 40% off coupon!). The girls have helped me paint the solid grounds, but the finishing touches I leave for me to enjoy. I love coming up with a new frame theme each year.
I guess you can say I’ve gotten into the Halloween spirit over the past five years. As long as the girls are content to wear adorably cute (not-so-scary) costumes, this might even become one of my favorite holidays.
Do you decorate for Halloween?
MandyE is mom to 5 1/2-year old fraternal twin girls. She blogs about their adventures, and her journey through motherhood, at Twin Trials and Triumphs.
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Halloween! Any celebration with crafts, dressing-up and sweets gets my vote! Your little pumpkins are adorable! #twinklytuesday
Jen @ 4,128 miles recently posted Have bump – will travel
These are really cute, and look fairly simple to make. Thanks for sharing them! We don’t decorate for Halloween. It seems to be getting more and more popular here (in the UK) to do it. #TwinklyTuesday
Fatima @ Baby Toddler Me recently posted How I took a blogging break and came back more focussed
I enjoy decorating for Halloween and the kids love dressing up for it, even though they’ve never been trick or treating, it’s just not a big thing in the UK
Em @ snowingindoors recently posted Weekend in Brixham
I love the foam pumpkin wreath and the photo frames – what a great idea
#twinklytuesday
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted Trusting the medical team and the uncertainty of change
I too live the craft and creative food opportunities that Halloween presents. I hated it as a child, living in the countryside. There was nothing to do. But with my own children I love it.
I really like your wreath!
#twinklytuesday
Fionnuala recently posted To market, to market…..
I am the total opposite. I am rubbish at crafts so I panic when it gets to all the different celebrations and I’m supposed to be crafty! #twinklytuesday
Mini Travellers recently posted Wray Castle, Ambleside
Love the little pumpkins! Definitely going to give these a try! #twinklytuesday
I have yet to get in to the spirit of Halloween as it’s not such a big thing over here in the UK. Well, the supermarkets would like you to think so as they already have loads of stuff!
I do like your little pumpkins. It does make me think I should try and do more crafty things with my oldest (2.5yrs).
Sounds like you really enjoy it. I guess kids do that to you, make you appreciate things in a different way. I’m already trawling the shops to find the best outfit for H’s first Halloween… I’m really looking forward to it. I think it’s because I can dress her up, and that’s just not something I’m really into. I love her being a little baby, but now she’s crawling everywhere and standing she’s going to look so so so cute dressed up. I love your photo frame idea, I might do something similar. #twinklytuesdays
NewMummyBlog recently posted 6 things only a parent would say
I agree completely that having kids makes you see all the holidays in a new, rosier light! My kids love halloween and I like to view it as all just being a bit of fun for the little ones. Plus, halloween is the first event in a whole season of exciting events – bonfire night, carnival season (in our local area) and then of course, Christmas! What’s not to like?! 😉
Sue @ Home Heart Harmony recently posted Boy Bedroom Update (Part Three)
I am definitely decorating for Halloween this year for the first time ever. I’m really looking forward to getting crafty with the kids xoxo
Maria Noell recently posted Baby Number 3?
I used to love Halloween as a little kid. Everyone in my little village in Scotland was out gysing. Haven’t had a chance to do it with our tot yet but if we ever live anywhere that celebrates it I will get involved. Love your crafts!
#twinklytuesday
Mama, My Kid Doesn’t Poop Rainbows recently posted Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small – Giveaway
Wow you are so organised I haven’t even thought about Halloween yet! They look great , thanks for hosting! #twinklytuesday
helen gandy recently posted Cohorted Beauty Box September 2015 – Review
Ah great post – I don’t remember it being a big deal when I was younger but my children all love it so we often have a little party. So much fun #TwinklyTuesday
Mummy Fever recently posted Easy bathroom cleaning
We need to get crafting on some DIY halloween decorations, as our second daughter was born on 30 October last year – so it’s going to be halloween parties for a long time to come! Great ideas – love the frames x MMT #twinklytuesday
mummuddlingthrough recently posted Quotes from the G-unit: September 2015
That wreath is great!! I’m a halloween lover too and October to start filling the house with ‘spooky’ decorations, get crafting with the kids and making them cute little outfits!! #twinklytuesday
Mum in the Cotswolds recently posted Cotswold Wildlife Park
Your photos are a lovely tradition and I like the colourful frames you\’ve made too. Halloween has become and all day party here on the farm with crafts, games, spooky train rides and of course trick or treating, it takes a lot of organizing but we have families returning year after year to enjoy Halloween with us.
Coombe Mill – Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted Win My Little Pony Spooktacular Pony Tales DVD
My 6 year old says she prefers Halloween to Christmas (I really don’t understand that!) and so I’m always on the lookout for simple, Halloween crafts and activities. I really love the wreath and the Halloween pictures are wonderful – such as fantastic idea! I’ll be giving them a go! #TwinklyTuesday
Love the wreath! Yes, I love Halloween decorations & outfits – always have. #twinklytuesday
Silly Mummy recently posted Knock Knock
I really wish I was arty and crafty but I have no idea when it comes to stuff like this. Carving a pumping is about my limit and I struggle with that. Your wreaths and frames are fab though!
#twinklytuesdays. Thanks for hosting
Unhinged Mummy (aka Janine Woods) recently posted Positivity In Pictures #17
I always used to love crafting. I can’t wait until my little one is old enough to make Hallowe’en crafts!
#twinklytuesday
The Speed Bump recently posted Drowning In Drool
Pumpkins look great! Might give them a try #twinklytuesday
Julie Downes recently posted 5 fab things this week #15
we are pretty big into halloween here. There are usually several different costumes over the course of the month that end up getting worn year round
jeremy@thirstydaddy recently posted Punishing her for our Mistakes?
I love anything craft related! Yay for Halloween crafts!
We don’t decorate our house for halloween and go to ‘Let your light shine’ parties at our church where the kids dress up as superheroes or angels, an alternative way to see it I guess! love your post though I’m dreadful at crafts, thank goodness the kids do crafts at school/preschool
#TwinklyTuesday
Lizzie Roles recently posted I ‘see’ you and I raise you one tantrum
Those are some fun ideas. It never used to be a big deal over here when I was little, but it certainly is getting that way now. My kids get really excited about. They are already planning what they want to wear, they think it’s great fun. I went to a fright night a couple of years ago and it was great fun, I make a great Wednesday Addams xxx #TwinklyTuesday
kerry recently posted How to Make Chocolate Moustache Lollipops
I love Halloween but never tend to do too much decorating. I always like to try and do the best pumpkin on the street though.
I love your wreath. It’s made me think I need to make more effort this year
#twinklytuesday
Sam recently posted 30th Birthday Challenges – Gliding
I love a good crafting session, I hate that here it’s really difficult to get crafty supplies!! These look great!! Xx
Seychellesmama recently posted 27 months
What a fun wreath! Ooh looking forward to making decorations with my little in the future.
Julie recently posted 10 Things I Do To Start My Day
I would love to decorate more for Halloween, these are cute ideas #twinklytuesday
Rebecca U recently posted Naturelly | Review
I’m not bit into Halloween either. My oldest doesn’t like scary things & finds most of Halloween pretty scary so we decorate with friendly looking things – much like your own decorations
#TwinklyTuesday
Becky, Cuddle Fairy recently posted Our Weekend in Galway
What a find! I have offered to host a Halloween Party for a few of my mummy friends and our little ones and you have given me an idea of something we can do with them. Thank you so much. #TwinklyTuesday
Harry’s Honest Mummy recently posted Dear Mr Gatland
I’m very similar to you, not all that fussed by Halloween but getting more into it for the sake of the kids. I keep thinking about bring some tasteful autumn/Halloween decorations into the house x
Caroline recently posted Winter isn’t all bad
I love Halloween but have never decorated before (except for when I had a house party and went a little crazy, I covered the entire living room in black bags!) but am will be sure to go crazy when Aria is a little older.l
I love what you have done here and I think it is great to get the kids involved in crafts to decorate.
#TwinklyTuesday
Leanne Cornelius recently posted Home : Preparing To Sell
I love halloween so much and these are so cute! What a great idea and amazing way to involve the kids. x #twinklytuesday
Chloe recently posted ST. MICHAELS MOUNT
We’ve always carved pumpkins but we may start dong more than that as my kids get older. They are still so young but I have loved dressing my eldest in cute cat and pirate costumes the past two years. I must get organised for this year! #twinklytuesday
Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted The Meek family at the Family Travel Show
I love Halloween, and working in a pub, I always get to decorate it
Love the idea of a yearly family photo. Thanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted Book Review: No Rest For The Wicked by Dane Cobain
How cute! Halloween with little ones is a blast!
Oh these are really cute, I think my girls would like to make them. I don’t really like Halloween I must admit! For me, it’s all about Christmas! Becky x #TwinklyTuesday
Becky @ PinksCharming recently posted Five things I love right now: September
Those look amazing! #twinklytuesday
Oh my word – you are so super crafty! These are super memories you are creating for your children and they are going to remember these times forever…I love that! Swung by from #TwinklyTuesday