Halloween decor (PRNewsFoto/Cookies by Design)

Halloween is coming in just 3 weeks and it’s time to get our lives in order for this scary holiday! What’s even scarier is that retailers have Christmas decorations out already – but we must stay focused and take one holiday at a time. First up…Halloween!

Keep it simple. By keeping costumes, candy and décor simple you save time, money and energy. Real Simple offered easy ways to celebrate Halloween without “breaking the bank” in their October issue.

Here are just a few ideas:
Costumes:

• Breaking News – Attach torn newspaper sheets to old clothing
• Smartie Pants – Clue rolls of Smarties candies onto a pair of old pants
• Iron Chef – wear a chef’s hat and carry an iron
• Here are other ideas that are always good standbys and can usually be thrown together affordably – cat, scarecrow, hobo, or ghost. All of these costumes are good for all ages!

Decorations:

• Buy your pumpkins from the local farm to save money and support your local farmers! Go to localharvest.org to find a pumpkin patch in your area.
• Fill a plastic medical glove (latex and powder-free) with water and freeze. Use the ice “hand” as the ice in a punch bowl. Or put red food coloring in ice cube trays before freezing the water. Makes for very “bloody” ice water!
• Homemade craft projects get the whole family involved and keep Halloween fun and affordable. Here is a list of more ideas that you’ll know what to do with. Have fun!
• Create a Halloween Skull Wreath – this is a fun idea from HGTV.com.
• Line your lampshades with bats! – Use black paper cut out of bats to line the inside of your lampshades for a spooky effect after dark. Here are the instructions from Martha Stewart. 

Keep Halloween simple and you’ll find the day is more festive because you’re spending more time with your family. Look here for more Halloween Organizing tips this month such as how to organize your Halloween candy!