How to Decorate an Office for Halloween

Decorating an office is a bit trickier than a house because you have to appeal to a broader audience. A few simple ideas can transform your reception area, conference room or desk into a festive atmosphere.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• pumpkins, large or small
• fake cobwebs
• markers, construction paper, craft materials
• candy
• decorative bowl
• sharp knife
• tea lights
• nail
• pen
• cinnamon or nutmeg

1. Decide which areas you would like to decorate. Common areas are the best, such as kitchens, break rooms, reception and conference rooms.
2. Attach fake cobwebs to desk corners, walls and cabinets. Stick with the white cobwebs and avoid neon colors and glow-in-the-dark.
3. Fill a candy bowl in a decorative cannister. Stay away from plastic pumpkins and use colored glass or ceramic if possible.
4. If you have a bulletin board, create banners and cut out pumpkins and spiders with construction paper to pin up. If you have a white board, draw a Halloween cartoon or scary image or even a "Happy Halloween" message.
5. Carve a few pumpkins and place them around the office. To carve, trace your desired pattern onto the pumpkin. Then cut a triangle at the top and remove the seeds. Go back over your pattern by poking small holes with a sharp nail to give your knife something to follow later. Trace the image now with the knife, connecting the dots you made with the nail. This process may seem like extra work, but the holes help guide the knife and keep it from slipping. Once your pattern is cut out, wash the pumpkin and sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg inside to offer a pleasant smell. Place a tea light candle at the bottom and light for a faint glow.

Tips & Warnings

• The bigger the pumpkin is, the more complicated the pattern can be, but cutting becomes more difficult because the "skin" is thicker.
• After you gut your pumpkin, rinse the seeds and roast them for an additional treat.
• Use either small wrapped candy in your bowl or unwrapped candy like candy corn, but don't combine them.
• Draw the pattern on your pumpkin before cutting. Once you cut there's no turning back.
• Be sure to blow out your candle before you leave for the night.
• Don't place candles too close to your spider web.