How to Make and Decorate a Halloween Tree

Halloween has become one of the most popular holidays of the year. It seems that Halloween decorations would not be complete without a Halloween Tree! Making the tree itself is easy but what I like the best is finding ornaments befitting a Halloween tree. This article is going to tell you how to make the tree but more importantly, it will give you some ideas on how to decorate it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A multi limbed branch
• Glossy black spray paint
• A large pot or bowl
• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Rub on gold, silver or metallic type paints
• Various ornaments (see details below)

1. 
    

   Find a branch with multiple limbs and tips from which to hang your ornaments. Make sure it is sturdy as you will want to use your tree again next Halloween. Spray paint the entire branch with glossy black spray paint. You may wish to apply several layers to protect the branch; make sure that you allow time in between to dry.

2. 
    

   Once the branch has dried, rub the metallic paints over the glossy black surface. This metalics are meant to highlight the glossy black paint not cover it. When you are satisfied with the finish, let the branch dry.

3. When the branch is dry, mix the plaster of Paris with water as the package directs. Pour the plaster of Paris mixture into the bowl and allow it to set up for a few minutes. When it has thickened, but not hardened, place the branch in the middle and allow the plaster to dry completely. Drying time will be determined by the size of the container and the amount of plaster.

4. 
    

   Now for the fun part: decorating the Halloween tree. I started with an inexpensive pumpkin shaped garland made of gold foil. Not only did this reflect the light but it also filled in the blank spots in the tree and give me more places to hang ornaments.

5. 
    

   The next step was to add some unusual Halloween color by hanging various size ball-shaped ornaments. Some of these were Christmas ornaments that were purchased at the dollar store. Other ornaments came from the Martha Stewart collection at K-Mart. Thank goodness Christmas ornaments come in many weird and wonderful colors! We even have some black ornaments!

6. 
    

   Some of the character ornaments came from miniature shops, fancy candy stores and my favorite, the dollar store. But my favorites are these made from corn husks! I did not make them but love them each time I unwrap them every Halloween.

7. 
    

   Look around at your Halloween decorations and some of the things that your children have collected. Plastic spider rings can become ornaments-you can never have too many spiders! Plastic skeletons and spider webs can hang just as elegantly as handmade cornhusker pumpkins! This is another opportunity to get the family together to create your own set of Halloween ornaments that you can enjoy every Halloween.

Tips & Warnings

• I've tried adding miniature lights but have never been happy with the effect because of the cord dangling over the pot. Someone suggested to use a battery operated set of lights and hide the power box in a small plastic pumpkin under the tree. It sounds like a good idea-just passing it on!
• Be careful when moving your tree; those branches are essentially dead and can break off.
• If you have a large pot or bowl anchoring your tree, it may become very heavy from the plaster of Paris. Just a warning ... mine weighs a ton but it has never toppled over and I've had this one for six years!

[Diablo2]

on 10/21/2009 Good article, 5 stars

[Diablo2]

on 10/21/2009 Good article, 5 stars