15 Halloween Garland Ideas to Transform Your Spooky Decor

Are you ready to add some festive charm to your home this spooky season? I’m thrilled to share 15 Halloween garland ideas that will make your space feel creepy, cute, or downright magical.

 

Garlands are my favorite way to decorate because they’re versatile, budget-friendly, and so much fun to create. Whether you’re a crafting newbie or a DIY pro, I’ve got something for everyone. 

Let’s dive into these ideas and get your home ready for Halloween!

Table of Contents

• 15 Halloween Garland Ideas
  • 1. Paper Bat Swarm Garland
  • 2. Pumpkin Pom-Pom Garland
  • 3. Ghostly Cheesecloth Garland
  • 4. Candy Corn Bead Garland
  • 5. Spider Web Crochet Garland
  • 6. Fall Leaf and Skull Garland
  • 7. Glow-in-the-Dark Skeleton Garland
  • 8. Black Cat Silhouette Garland
  • 9. Witch Hat Felt Garland
  • 10. Haunted House Silhouette Garland
  • 11. Tulle Boo Garland
  • 12. Jack-o’-Lantern Burlap Garland
  • 13. Glittery Spider Garland
  • 14. Mummy Ribbon Garland
  • 15. Potion Bottle Garland
• Customization Tips
• Where to Display Garlands
• Step-by-Step DIY Guide: Paper Bat Swarm Garland
• Where to Find Materials
• Conclusion

15 Halloween Garland Ideas

I’m so excited to share these 15 garland ideas with you! Each one has a description, materials, estimated time, difficulty level, and the vibe it brings to your decor. Let’s get started.

1. Paper Bat Swarm Garland

Picture a flock of bats fluttering across your living room. This garland is simple but gives off a creepy, haunted-house feel. You’ll need black cardstock, string, scissors, and tape. Cut bat shapes from the cardstock, punch holes in the wings, and thread them onto the string. It takes about 30 minutes and is perfect for beginners. The spooky vibe makes it great for a Halloween party.

2. Pumpkin Pom-Pom Garland

Who doesn’t love a cute pumpkin? This garland uses orange and green yarn to create fluffy pom-poms that look like mini pumpkins. You’ll need yarn, a pom-pom maker (or cardboard), and twine. Wrap the yarn, tie it off, and fluff it into pom-poms. String them together for a cheerful garland. It takes about an hour and is easy for beginners with a bit of patience. The cute, family-friendly vibe is perfect for kid spaces.

3. Ghostly Cheesecloth Garland

Want something eerie? This garland features wispy cheesecloth ghosts that seem to float in the air. Grab cheesecloth, liquid starch, googly eyes, and string. Shape the cheesecloth with starch, add eyes, and hang them on the string. It takes 45 minutes and is intermediate because of the starch. The spooky, ghostly vibe is ideal for a haunted house setup.

4. Candy Corn Bead Garland

Candy corn is a Halloween classic! Paint wooden beads in white, orange, and yellow to mimic the candy’s colors. You’ll need beads, paint, and twine. String the beads in the candy corn pattern for a playful look. It takes about 1.5 hours and is intermediate due to the painting. The whimsical vibe makes it a fun addition to any Halloween display.

5. Spider Web Crochet Garland

If you love crocheting, this one’s for you. Create delicate spider webs with white yarn and add tiny felt spiders for a touch of creepiness. You’ll need a crochet hook, yarn, and black felt. This project takes about 2 hours and is advanced because of the crochet skills needed. The elegant, gothic vibe is perfect for a sophisticated Halloween look.

6. Fall Leaf and Skull Garland

Combine autumn leaves with mini skulls for a rustic Halloween garland. You’ll need faux leaves, plastic skulls, hot glue, and twine. Glue the skulls and leaves to the twine in an alternating pattern. It takes 40 minutes and is beginner-friendly. The rustic, spooky vibe works great for a cozy fall setup.

7. Glow-in-the-Dark Skeleton Garland

This garland glows at night for a fun, kid-friendly effect. Use glow-in-the-dark paper, scissors, and string. Cut out skeleton shapes and string them together. It takes 30 minutes and is super easy for beginners. The playful vibe makes it a hit with kids.

8. Black Cat Silhouette Garland

Black cats are Halloween icons. Cut cat shapes from black cardstock and add yellow tissue paper for glowing eyes. You’ll need cardstock, tissue paper, string, and scissors. Punch holes to thread the cats onto the string. It takes 35 minutes and is beginner-friendly. The spooky yet whimsical vibe is perfect for a mysterious Halloween feel.

9. Witch Hat Felt Garland

Mini witch hats made of felt bring a magical touch to your decor. You’ll need felt, scissors, a needle, thread, and twine. Cut hat shapes, sew them together, and string them up. It takes about an hour and is intermediate because of the sewing. The whimsical, witchy vibe is great for a magical Halloween party.

10. Haunted House Silhouette Garland

Create a row of spooky houses with glowing windows. Use black cardstock, yellow tissue paper, string, and scissors. Cut house shapes, add tissue for windows, and thread them onto the string. It takes 45 minutes and is beginner-friendly. The eerie vibe is perfect for a haunted house theme.

11. Tulle Boo Garland

This garland says “BOO” with soft tulle puffs. You’ll need tulle, cardboard letters, and string. Tie tulle into puffs around the letters and string them together. It takes 50 minutes and is intermediate due to the tulle-tying. The playful, festive vibe is great for parties or kid-friendly spaces.

12. Jack-o’-Lantern Burlap Garland

Burlap jack-o’-lanterns give a cozy, rustic feel. You’ll need burlap, paint, twine, and stencils. Cut pumpkin shapes, paint faces, and string them up. It takes an hour and is intermediate because of the painting. The rustic vibe is perfect for a fall-inspired Halloween.

13. Glittery Spider Garland

Sparkly spiders add a glamorous twist to Halloween. Use glitter foam, pipe cleaners, and string. Cut spider shapes, add pipe cleaner legs, and string them together. It takes 40 minutes and is beginner-friendly. The elegant, spooky vibe is great for a chic Halloween setup.

14. Mummy Ribbon Garland

Wrap gauze around ribbons and add googly eyes for a mummy garland. You’ll need gauze, googly eyes, string, and glue. It takes 30 minutes and is easy for beginners. The spooky, playful vibe is perfect for a fun Halloween display.

15. Potion Bottle Garland

Mini potion bottles made from colored cardstock add a mystical touch. You’ll need cardstock, string, markers, and scissors. Cut bottle shapes, decorate with markers, and string them up. It takes 50 minutes and is intermediate due to the detailing. The witchy vibe is ideal for a magical Halloween theme.

Customization Tips

I love how garlands let you get creative! Want to make them your own? Try swapping colors—like using purple bats instead of black for a quirky twist. 

Add LED lights to any garland for a glowing effect (just keep them battery-powered for safety). You can even personalize them with your family’s name or spooky phrases like “Happy Hauntings.”

To make your garland fit a theme, pair it with matching decor. For example, the pumpkin pom-pom garland looks great with a pumpkin wreath. If you’re decorating a small space, shorten the garland to fit a doorway. 

For a big party, make it longer to drape across a room. The possibilities are endless!

Where to Display Garlands

Garlands are so versatile! Indoors, I love hanging them on mantels, staircases, or above doorways. They make great party backdrops too. Outdoors, drape them on porches, fences, or tree branches—just make sure they’re weatherproof if it’s rainy. For events like classroom parties or office celebrations, try the kid-friendly glow-in-the-dark skeleton garland or the playful tulle boo garland.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide: Paper Bat Swarm Garland

Let’s walk through making the Paper Bat Swarm Garland—it’s one of the easiest! Here’s what you need: black cardstock, string, scissors, tape, and a bat template (you can find free ones online).

1. Cut the Bats: Trace the bat template onto the cardstock. Cut out 10–20 bats, depending on your garland length.
   
2. Punch Holes: Use a hole punch or scissors to make small holes in each wing for threading.
   
3. Thread the String: Cut a piece of string to your desired length. Thread it through the holes, spacing the bats evenly. Secure with tape if needed.
   
4. Hang and Adjust: Hang your garland and adjust the bats so they look like they’re flying.

If the bats slide around, add a dab of glue to keep them in place. For extra flair, sprinkle some glitter on the bats for a sparkly effect. This project is so quick and fun—you’ll love the spooky vibe it adds!

Where to Find Materials

You don’t need to break the bank for these garlands. Craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby have everything from cardstock to yarn. Online, Amazon has great deals on bulk supplies like beads or tulle. Check your home for items like leftover fabric or paper. For templates, search online for free printables—sites like Pinterest have tons of bat or pumpkin patterns.

Conclusion

Halloween garlands are such a fun way to bring the spooky season to life. Whether you go for creepy bats, cute pumpkins, or elegant spider webs, there’s a garland for every style and skill level. 

I hope these 15 ideas spark your creativity and get you excited to decorate. Try one (or three!) and share your creations with friends or on social media. Have fun crafting, and happy Halloween!