It’s no secret that student houses can be horrendously ugly without a few personal touches: grey washed walls and mismatched furniture… but they’re also a perfect blank canvas, especially for occasions like Halloween. So how can you transform your home into a cosy, spooky nook to watch scary movies, plan your costumes and perhaps even host a party in?
If you’re like my friend Jess, there’s always the trusty pen and paper. For example, you could draw out some pumpkins, ghosts and spiders, cut them out and use them as wall decor. Paper garlands are also a fantastic choice for those with coloured paper (and the patience)! Why not turn it into a craft evening with your friends, putting on a Halloween film and getting creative together? Paper is easy to pick up from places like TGJones or even Tesco Extra while you’re doing your weekly food shop, so there’s no need to make a special trip! In terms of sticking them to the walls, remember that Blu Tack can be just as scary as Pennywise so an alternative is command strips; that way, you have a cute house but a protected deposit.
Go to Tesco to grab your pumpkins and browse Pinterest for your design inspiration!
Equally, what would Halloween be without 55p carving pumpkins at Tesco? With battery powered tea lights also available on Amazon for 52p a piece, don’t opt for the regular candle and have everyone standing outside in the cold whilst the fire alarm blares out at 2am in the morning...not a good look. Grab carving tools for an extra £1.50 at Hobbycraft or, if you're feeling particularly creative, grab yourself some acrylic paint for just £3.99 on Amazon. Either way, this can be a really cute, low-budget way to add something extra to your student house this October as well as being a fun activity for you and your housemates to do together! So what are you waiting for? Go to Tesco to grab your pumpkins and browse Pinterest for your design inspiration!
Spider cookies are another easy option, using chocolate buttons and liquorice legs to bring your creepy-crawly creations to life.
Why not also use the season as the perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen, with plenty of ways to put a spooky twist on your favourite treats. Gingerbread biscuits are a classic, but why not decorate them with white icing to create little skeletons? Spider cookies are another easy option, using chocolate buttons and liquorice legs to bring your creepy-crawly creations to life. If baking isn't your thing, pizzas are a brilliant alternative. Grab some ready-made dough and mould it into whatever Halloween-inspired shape takes your fancy, spread your favourite sauce and use toppings of your choice to create a frightfully good dinner.
The best part is that you don't need to spend a fortune to get involved. Most of these treats can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards, making them perfect for a student budget. Put on a Halloween film or get your favourite autumnal playlist going and embrace the mess that inevitably comes with cooking and baking. Whether you're a star baker or someone who can barely manage to not burn toast, it's all about having fun with it. Plus, you'll have plenty of delicious treats to snack on throughout all the celebrations!
So, don't settle for a dull student house this Halloween! With a few creative touches and a little imagination, you can transform your space into something that feels much more like home, all without making a dent in your already-stretched student budget.