Halloween Ghost Decorations

Ghosts have become an important part of Halloween celebrations. Ghost stories are told at Halloween parties, ghosts are watched for in spooky cemeteries and children dress up as ghosts to go trick-or-treating. Ghosts also play a part in Halloween decorations, some of which are spooky and some of which are cute.

Origins

Ghosts became a part of American Halloween festivities in the late 1800s, when Irish immigrants brought with them their Celtic traditions. Ancient Celts celebrated a festival of the dead known as Samhain on October 31st. Celts believed that on that night, boundaries between the world of the living and that of the dead were thin, allowing spirits---ghosts---of the deceased to wander the earth.

Ghost Pens

This craft, featured on Disney's Family Fun website, offers a fun way to make ghost decorations at home:

1) Cover a cheap ballpoint pen with white modeling material. Leave the tip of the pen uncovered.
2) Make the clay-covered pen look as much like a finger as possible. Use the pen cap to make lines to serve as wrinkles next to bumps that are the ghost's knuckles.
3) Glue a plastic fingernail to the tip of the pen using craft glue. Finally, paint the fingernail with nail polish.

If this craft is used at a children's Halloween party, encourage party guests to write their own Halloween stories once the pens have dried.

Ghost Prints

This craft, also featured on Disney's Family Fun website, is ideal for young children or for busy families looking for an easy craft idea. To make ghost prints:

1) Fold a sheet of black construction paper in half lengthwise.
2) Pour some white tempera paint into the crease and press the two halves together.
3) A ghostlike image should appear on the page when the paper is laid flat. When the paint dries, decorate the ghost with other paints, pieces of felt, etc.

Foam Ghosts

Make a quick trip to a store that sells packing supplies, like FedEx or UPS, to be ready to make foam ghosts. Disney's Family Fun website offers the following simple steps:

1) Practice drawing ghost figures on paper. Cut out favorite designs, which should include eyes and a mouth, to be used as patterns.
2) Once ghosts have been cut from sheets of white packing foam, tape them in windows or hang them on fishing line from the ceiling.

Yard Decorations

This craft idea can be used to make a number of Halloween yard decorations, including ghosts, black cats, pumpkins and bats.

1) Using pencil, outline the shape of a ghost on a sheet of plywood.
2) Cut the shape using a jigsaw and then sand it.
3) Paint the shape white. Use black paint to add details like eyes and a mouth.
4) Cut a piece of plywood to serve as a stake and attach it to the back of the ghost shape with screws.

References

• The Meaning and Origins of Halloween Symbols
• Ghostwriter Pens
• Ghost Prints

Resources

• Foam Ghosts