Every couple of years we splurge on that fake spiderweb stuff and go all out on the porch for neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Since we skipped last year, this season was definitely a go. We picked up the webbing at Target and used a mix of items we already had — some dead branches, a few white faux pumpkins from previous years, planters, black spray paint and a couple of push lights — plus three fresh white pumpkins for a little extra fun. The result: a moderately creepy porch that felt just right for Halloween.
John actually found the branches. I sent him into the woods behind the house to clip a few leafless twigs, but most of the trees still had leaves. Instead he found a few dead bush remnants we’d tossed aside — so dead we hadn’t even thought to list them for free pickup — and immediately saw their potential. Who knew dead bushes could be such an asset for a spooky holiday? We lightly sprayed them black to deepen the color and give them a more dramatic silhouette, and tucked a faux raven into one for a finishing touch.
I love how John potted some branches and leaned larger ones on either side of the bench to create that dead-wood vibe. The small push lights were a clever addition: when placed behind the branches at night, they cast an eerie uplight that highlights the spindly silhouettes and gives the porch a perfectly ghoulish atmosphere.
Those lights created exaggerated shadows across the porch ceiling and added tons of moody ambiance.
We wrapped spiderwebbing around the porch posts — the trick is to stretch it so it looks thin and webby instead of fluffy — and still had over half a bag left. Looks like we’ll have plenty left for next year, so maybe we’ll stop waiting the usual two-year gap between decorations.
Three fresh white pumpkins were the last touch. We stuck with our black-and-white theme from indoors — spiderwebs and black branches already set that tone — so we painted the new pumpkins rather than carving them. We used black acrylic paint that’s suitable for outdoors and brainstormed a creepy-crawly bug motif to honor the backyard bug hunts our dog Burger loves. This year we grabbed three pumpkins instead of two so Burger could have his own.
Although a chihuahua stencil made us laugh, we figured Burger would prefer a tribute to his bug-hunting adventures. We sketched a leggy centipede monogram that formed our initials, painted a cockroach with fine details using a black marker, and made a grasshopper-like insect for the third pumpkin. It took about twenty minutes to sketch and fill in the designs — quick and satisfying — and we even recorded a short time-lapse of the process so we could relive the messy, fun parts.
For anyone who can’t watch videos at work: it’s mostly sketching and painting in fast motion with a bit of Burger footage mixed in. The finished pumpkins looked great — a nice departure from carving. Because they weren’t cut open, they should last longer, and cleanup was a breeze. The downside: no pumpkin seeds to roast. Minor tragedy, but maybe we’ll buy some seeds from the store.
With the porch spookified and the pumpkins ready, all that’s left is to share photos of Burger’s adorable costume — there’s a hint in the decorations — so stay tuned. How about your Halloween curb appeal? Are you planning to pick up pumpkins or stretch some spiderwebs? We tend to hand out the good treats because we remember how thrilling it was to get full-size candy as kids, so we’ll likely stock up on favorites like peanut butter cups and Snickers. Tell us what you’re planning this year.