The English tea table in the foyer at Fox Hall is decorated with a quiet nod to Halloween.
BOO!
On Halloween, I prefer to decorate my home “bewitchingly beautiful” rather than with a spooky, larger-than-life scary theme. I have never been keen on over-the-top Halloween decorations, probably because my parents did not advocate that kind of decorating. Not to say that it is not amusing to see others who embrace skeletons and giant spiderwebs, but for me, a more elegant Halloween celebratory style is what I prefer to create for Fox Hall.
As a child, I carved pumpkins and went trick-or-treating, the same traditions we continue to enjoy with our now extended family. When our three children were young, it was a treat to make their costumes (you don’t see much of that anymore) and also to recycle some of my own costumes that I wore as a child, including a formal Japanese kimono (wig and all), a colorful Hawaiian grass skirt, and a much-loved Dutch girl outfit.
Our longstanding “Holden family” tradition for dinner on Halloween Eve? Hamburgers and milkshakes. There is nothing like indulging in a chocolate milkshake just before commencing this candy-gathering evening… so why not go all out on the sugary aspect, right?!
My secret for Halloween decorating? I relish repurposing several decorative items I find around the house and adorning them with a Halloween flair. It is SO easy to embellish a Staffordshire dog with an orange ribbon collar, collect fall-colored mums from the garden to make an arrangement, use a silver Revere bowl filled with colorful gourds, and fill a silver basket with candy corn. I want the Halloween aura to feel fashionably festive, not scary!
Four years ago, my daughter-in-law Karen (then expecting our grandson), and I made a video about Halloween decorating. The YouTube video shares some tips for creating a festive Halloween atmosphere without going “overboard scary!” You’ll see firsthand our “Victor the Vulture.” Even though he is over 30 years old and rather feather-bare, he festively flies in to perch at the front door of Fox Hall, where he greets trick-or-treaters on Halloween Eve.
Besides Victor, my darling husband Stuart also enjoys greeting the children. He turns out the lights in the front hall, slowly walks to the door with heavy foot stomps and a lit candelabra in hand, and boldly inquires, “Who’s…. there?!!” while slowly opening the door. Then, he jovially offers his favorite candy (BIG Snickers bars), and the children all love it!
So, what about you? How do you decorate for Halloween?
I hope you have a “boo-utiful” Halloween!
Xx, Holly
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