There is just something about vintage Halloween decorations that makes me smile. The funny pumpkin faces, handmade witch hats, black bats and slightly imperfect details remind me of Halloween decorations from years ago.
And you know me—I especially love Halloween decor when I can make it myself!
Over the years I’ve made quite a few Halloween crafts using simple supplies, things I already had around the house and even old decorations that needed a little makeover. Some are whimsical, some are a little spooky, but none of them are too scary.
Today I thought it would be fun to gather some of my favorites into one place. If you love vintage-inspired Halloween crafts, grab a cup of something warm and come see what you might want to make this fall.
And I have to start with my newest favorite.
1. DIY Vintage Paper Mache Pumpkins
Oh my goodness, these pumpkins!
My granddaughter and I had so much fun turning inexpensive plastic trick-or-treat pumpkins into these quirky vintage paper mache pumpkins. We started by adding dimension to the faces with aluminum foil, covered the pumpkins with paper towels and Mod Podge, let everything dry and then painted each face by hand.
The best part is that there really isn’t a wrong way to make one. Each pumpkin develops its own personality.
Mine has that old-fashioned jack-o’-lantern look I was hoping for, while my granddaughter created her own completely different faces. We actually ended up making three because we were having so much fun!
I even made a wonderfully wonky paper mache witch hat for one of them. The whole thing looks like something you might discover tucked away in a box of antique Halloween decorations.
See the complete tutorial:
How to Make Vintage Paper Mache Pumpkins from Plastic Jack-o’-Lanterns
2. Easy Paper Bag Witch Hat
Would you believe you can make an adorable witch hat from a paper grocery bag?
This is exactly the kind of inexpensive Halloween project I love. Paper has such a great crinkly texture for vintage Halloween decor, and a handmade witch hat doesn’t need to look perfect. In fact, the wonkier it gets, the better!
This is also a fun project to make when you want Halloween decorations that feel whimsical rather than scary.
Get the tutorial:
Make an Easy Paper Bag Witch Hat
3. Spooky Black Bat Wreath
Sometimes the best craft supplies are already sitting in your house.
For this spooky black bat wreath, I gave an old wreath a Halloween makeover by adding sticks and bats.
I love projects like this because you don’t have to start from scratch. Look through your old fall wreaths and decorations and see what could become something completely different with a little black paint, branches, ribbon or bats.
It makes such a fun statement on a front door for Halloween.
See how I made it:
DIY Spooky Black Bat Wreath Makeover
4. Spooky Illuminating Tissue Paper Candle Sleeves
Lighting is one of the easiest ways to make your house feel special for Halloween.
These Halloween tissue paper candle sleeves add that slightly spooky glow without requiring an elaborate decorating project. They are such a fun little detail for a Halloween table, mantel or party.
I especially love inexpensive crafts like this because you can make several and repeat them around a room for more impact.
See the candle sleeve tutorial:
How to Make Spooky Illuminating Tissue Paper Candle Sleeves
5. Easy Halloween Paper Wreath
If you want a Halloween craft you can finish quickly, this one is for you.
My Halloween paper wreath can be made in less than 20 minutes!
Paper crafts are some of my favorites because they don’t require expensive supplies or complicated techniques. They’re also easy to change from year to year simply by using different colors or patterns.
Make your own:
Simple Easy Halloween Paper Wreath
More Halloween Favorites From the Kottage
Barbie themed black and pink Halloween Tablescape
Moody Black and Burgundy Halloween Tablescape
Halloween Kitchen Nook Decorations
Decorating With Handmade Halloween Crafts
One of my favorite things about making Halloween decorations instead of buying everything new is that my collection becomes a little more personal every year.
A handmade pumpkin sitting next to something I’ve had for 20 years somehow makes the whole house feel collected rather than decorated all at once.
Don’t worry about everything matching perfectly, either. Mix your handmade pieces with pumpkins, old books, candlesticks, baskets, branches and things you already have around the house.
That slightly mismatched look is part of what gives vintage Halloween decor so much charm.
Make Halloween Memories Along the Way
Maybe my favorite part of these projects isn’t actually the finished craft.
When my granddaughter and I made our paper mache pumpkins, we laughed, painted and got our hands messy together. Now when I pull those funny little pumpkins out each fall, I’ll remember the afternoon we spent making them.
Those are the decorations I end up loving most.
So invite your kids, grandkids, sisters or girlfriends over, put something yummy on the table and make an afternoon of it. Your pumpkin doesn’t need to look perfect.
Actually, for vintage Halloween, a little wonky might be better.
Which Halloween Craft Would You Make?
I hope these vintage-inspired Halloween craft ideas give you a little inspiration to pull out the glue, paint and paper and make something fun this fall.
If you only try one, I have to vote for those paper mache pumpkins. Every single one turns out differently, and that’s what makes them so much fun.
And if you make one, I’d love to hear what kind of personality your pumpkin ends up with!
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