How Wrexham writer Allan Longshadow has recycled and repurposed his way to a super-spooky home and garden. Here are his five ideas for a haunted Halloween:
Ghostly Glass
Firstly, with a little imagination, old glass medicine bottles are a great Halloween decoration. The ‘Apothecary’s Shelf’ pictured was made using a piece of scrap wood and some antique bottles with an old key for added extra effect. To finish off, add some fake cobwebs and a little dust (there’ll be some lurking somewhere!).
Haunted Headstones
Secondly, if you want to add a ghostly feel to your garden, try crafting a haunted headstone. This one was made with an old gardener’s kneeling board, some leftover spray paint and some artificial ivy ‘borrowed’ from a decorative arrangement.
Frightful Flowers
If you have some artificial roses lying around and some black spray paint, this arrangement is a great addition to the hearth. Add some fake cobwebs and a little dust for added effect. Finish the look with a suitably spooky vase.
Disturbing Dolls
If you want to take creepy to a whole new level, try having some Halloween fun with a replica Victorian doll and leaving her in your garden. How far are you willing to go?
A little nail varnish proved perfect for the finishing touches on this creepy creation!
Top Tip
Local charity shops are a great source of items that can be adapted for Halloween. Not only will you be helping to reduce your use of single use plastics, you’ll also be supporting worthy causes. Don’t forget to Gift Aid your purchase to make it worth even more.
Creepy Candles
Candles are a great Halloween decoration, especially with the right candlesticks. Keep an eye on your local charity shop and have some fun dripping wax.
Safety Warning
Finally, whilst candles look great, extreme care should be taken with all naked flames. We would advise using them unlit unless they will be constantly supervised.
LED candles are a much safer choice if you want the effect of candlelight.
Allan Longshadow is a local writer and keen gardener. He is the founder of wordworx, a creative writing studio and independent publisher proudly based in Wrexham, North Wales.
