Please note: the giveaway mentioned in this post is now closed. [Updated Oct. 1, 2016]
Why do you decorate for Halloween? It’s a question with as many answers as there are Halloween lovers, making it one of my favorite questions to ask.
I grew up in a household that decorated for the holidays. Whether it was Christmas or the Fourth of July, my mom always had a little something to put out. When I moved out on my own, it only felt natural to continue doing so.
As a kid our Halloween decorations were always my favorite. I loved the spooky pumpkins and witches and ghosts that filled our house. The decor transformed a boring suburban home into something a little haunted. It made the Halloween season feel magical to me.

In the first post I ever published on spookylittlehalloween.com, I talked about that feeling:
Like a lot of your favorite things that begin when you’re young, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment Halloween turned into an obsession. I just know I always loved it because it held a certain sense of importance and intrigue for me.
It could be because I’ve always been the type of girl who loves escaping into other worlds. Much like the stories and adventures in the books and song lyrics that filled my early years, Halloween was a real-life excuse to escape into a world that wasn’t my own. For one night every year, I could pretend to be someone else and roam the neighborhood with my friends.
That little piece of Halloween has always made October 31st feel magical to me.

And that’s why I go all out decorating for Halloween: to capture a piece of the magic this holiday holds in my heart.

By filling up my home with Halloween goodies, I’m transporting myself to another world: a Halloween world I can bask in for all of October, whether that means curling up on the couch with a Halloween throw pillow or enjoying a movie under the glow of my decorative candles.

It makes the holiday more tangible, makes it last a little longer. And it makes me happy to come home every evening and work on Halloweenie Roast plans.
Why do you decorate for Halloween?
I’d love to hear what makes you excited for the spooky season – and so would my friends from At Home. When you leave a comment on this post answering this question, you’ll be entered to win this:

That, my friends, is $50 for all your Halloween shopping needs at At Home!
[CLOSED] How to enter:
Leave a comment on this post by this Friday, Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. CST to be entered. Using random.org, I’ll draw and notify a winner by Sunday, Oct. 2 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Want to earn an additional entry? I’ll also give you a bonus entry when you sign up for my Spooky Little Newsletter!
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. (For those who don’t have an At Home near you – don’t worry! You still have time to enter my anniversary giveaway, and I hope to have another Halloween giveaway for you very soon.)

By the way, all decor items I’ve featured in this post were found at At Home! If you’re looking for more goodies, you can check out part 1 and part 2 of my 2016 first look posts.
And if you want to see more of my spooky decor, check in later this week – I’ll be sharing a complete tour of my home! In the meantime, you can take a spin through last year’s posts.
Good luck,

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a sponsored post. At Home, the sponsoring company, compensated to write this. Per my disclaimer, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe you will love too. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



David
Hi Miranda,
I wanted to thank you taking the time to share your love of Halloween. I too share that love, and it’s really cool of you to create newsletters showing tips on how to host parties and decorate. I look forward to the next one. Also, thank you for the contest!
Sincerely,
David
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Thank you so much, David! I enjoy putting together these kinds of things, so it’s great to hear that people are enjoying them too. :)
Yesenia Aguilar
Hello Miranda
I love Halloween its one of my favorite holidays I’m definitely excited about these ???? season i decorate a little because my kids get so happy and excited about halloween thank you for the fun contest????????????
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Love this, thanks for sharing Yesenia!
Yesenia Aguilar
Thank you sweetie????????
Jillian
I love hearing why other people share the Halloween love.
I have always enjoyed the feeling of how something dark and spooky can also be fun and lighthearted. For me, my love of Halloween started before I can even remember. Decorating for Halloween has always been a part of my life. My mom always went all out for Halloween and I just fell in love with the colors of the macabre. The mixture of blood and gore with glitter just makes the perfect holiday. :)
I always love seeing people’s decorations for Halloween. It’s like seeing into someone’s secret world of nightmares.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
“Like seeing into someone’s secret world of nightmares” – Oh my god, I LOVE that description, Jillian! Thanks for sharing!
Megan
I’m not sure what draws me to all things Halloween but it is my favorite holiday and speaks to my spooky side :) I’ve had decorations up for a week now and just keep adding more. I want Abby to remember all the fun things we put up for holidays.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
I think decorating for all holidays helps make it more fun/real for kiddos – and helps extend the celebration beyond just one day! :)
Tammy
I decorate so I know what time of the year it is! Living in Houston, every day seems like summer which is my least favorite season…
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Haha! I like this reason. :)
Ashley
I think that decorating for the holidays really reminds me of my childhood and how magical my parents made it for me which makes me appreciate it and enjoy it more. Thanks for such an awesome chance!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
I feel the same, thanks for sharing Ashley!
gracie
hey there miranda!!
i love all halloween decorations from the elegant black and gold skulls to the corny explosions of orange! i decorate mainly because im obsessed with all things spooky and seeing little ghosts and bats around my room cheer me up! i decorate outdoors cause i live in a neighborhood full of kids and its adorable seeing them get excited for the holiday. they even notice when i put something new out! so thats another reason to motivate me to get creative with the decorations!! :)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
I can’t wait for the day that I have a yard and can go all-out decorating for trick or treaters!
Ali Lang
Love this!! I decorate for Halloween because it’s my husband’s favorite holiday, and I love seeing him smile! Plus who can resist the cute decor?!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Love that reason, Ali!
Holly Pettersen
Your story is so similar to mine! I can’t remember a time I didn’t love Halloween, I think I was born thIs way. Lol! Maybe that means it comes from my parents, my grandpa used to always get a scary mask and sit in his rocking chair and scare everyone that came in haha! Those were the best times, and I think that’s the ultimate reason I decorate, it reminds me of the fun times. Living here in Az, it’s SO HOT for a long long time lol, so Halloween is like the beginning of fall for us, and it’s such a relief! There are so many reasons I decorate, but it’s an extra smile when I walk in the door at home and see all the fun things like webs and witches, or wash my hands with “vampire blood” hehehe it’s just too fun. I will always love Halloween. ???????????? and decorating of course.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
There were a few years growing up where I wanted to make EVERYTHING we ate on Halloween spooky. :) It’s just more fun to say you’re eating spider pizza, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing, Holly!
MacabreWeb
I decorate for myself for many reasons but the main one is to keep holiday magic alive. When I was about 13, things were really rough in my home life and I was dealing with depression. Someone told me I was too old to trick or treat anymore, I seen the stress behind the holidays financially for my mom, and just the happy veil we live under as little kids was sort of lifted. I thought is this what growing up is because this sucks! I talked to my Mom about it and she said sometimes we need to make our own happiness.
So my 14th Halloween is when *I* started decorating and collecting, maybe I was too “old” to trick or treat (which I still don’t believe in, at my house if you show up even un-costumed, you get candy!), but I wasn’t too old to celebrate. I didn’t have much in the ways of decorations, but I made paper cut outs, I started putting together my own costumes and makeup. My goal was to be the place people oooo’d and ahhh’d at when they came to the door and I have successfully had many Halloweens with those reactions! The same thing for Christmas, it was ALL about the presents when I was younger, then I found the joy in giving and traditions.
And I will continue to dress up and give out candy for the rest of my life.
I see a lot of people in my family and friends who ask how I keep my spirit. I keep the nostalgia and magic alive by decorating, baking, putting on my favorite Halloween movies, opening the windows and letting the crisp air in while letting a pumpkin spice candle burn, take a walk and take photos of trees and collect leaves, turn on a collection of Halloween songs while I make Halloween crafts or put together a costume.
There is just something about Halloween and Autumn, a magic I reference that it’s hard to pin point one exact reason. Maybe because it’s a holiday of misfits, finding the beauty in what is not traditionally beautiful. A mysticism, an unknown. Whatever it is, it is my happiest season and holiday. I feel whole and myself during Halloween. Decorating shows that pride!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
“Maybe because it’s a holiday of misfits, finding the beauty in what is not traditionally beautiful.”
This time a million.
Kelly D
I decorate for my daughter. She loves helping me, and if I put out one decoration without her assistance, I hear about it!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Haha! I was totally that kid, Kelly. That’s so awesome you guys decorate together.
Sandra
Hi lady! I like to decorate for Halloween in order to stretch out the festivities as much as possible and immersive myself in it!!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Perfect reason, Sandra! (That’s why my Halloween goes up by mid-September every year!)
Deda Padilla
I need more Halloween party decoration ideas. Thank you for everything you do!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Thanks Deda! I’ll be posting all my home decor tomorrow so be on the lookout for it.
Sara Mahmood
I’d like game ideas for little kids. I do love your Instagram posts
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Noted, Sara! Thanks for the kind words about Instagram. :)
Patricia Kellogg
I always decorated for all holidays. Keeps the year in check. Halloween is my favorite and outside my house is so done up and can be seen from space (lol) I get many visitors to see it every year. Kids from my neighborhood come over my house dressed up before trick or treating to play with my indoor decorations. I even do the bathrooms!! I was told that people who decorate houses do it as a hobby. I think its good therapy!!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
I decorate my bathroom as well! I agree – it’s good therapy.
Lisa
Hmm. I decorate because #1 – it makes me happy! I love to see the reactions and hear the comments about my cemetery on Halloween night. I like that it makes other people happy so that they come out of their way to stop by!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
That’s a great reason, Lisa! I can’t wait to see photos of everything you’ve done for this year.
HilLesha
I love everything you’ve featured, especially those vases. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Aren’t they fun? I loved the shape of them.
Ashlyn
I love the feeling I get decorating for Halloween. I start on September 1st so I jave more than enough time to enjoy my goblins and pumpkins!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Hauling out my boxes always makes me excited for all the possibilities! :)
Katy Glynn
This is my favorite time of the year but I have yet to decorate. Now this is a nice little reminder to go do it now!
mami2jcn
I’m excited about decorating with little gourds and pumpkins.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
So fun! I love using pumpkins throughout my home for my decor. :)
Brittany
I love decorating for Halloween to carry on the tradition of what my family did when I was younger. I also love decorating for my niece and nephews who come by to trick or treat and any other kids who stop by.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Love those reasons, Brittany! Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie Grant
I just love Halloween and decorating for the holiday! I even use some of the holiday decor in my everyday decor!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Me too! :) It’s fun way to make the whole year a little spooky. Thanks for reading – and for subscribing to my newsletter!
Stephanie Grant
I also subscribe to your newsletter :).
Jen Spookybones
I love decorating my house! I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl and it has always been a special moment for me. It’s like you said, it’s a way of escaping!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Sounds like we could be Halloween besties! :)
Melissa Vandenbossche
Halloween is my favorite holiday to decorate for.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Mine too, Melissa!
Lynne T
Halloween is one of my favorite holiday’s to decorate for.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Mine too! :)
Wehaf
Halloween is my favorite holiday! I’d love some new decor, like those vases featured in the last picture!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
It’s always fun figuring out how to work new decor into your existing decor, isn’t it?
donna
i love gearing up for halloween!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Me too!
Lyssa Sahadevan
We LOVE Halloween at our house! My boys are all about putting a little spooky into our everyday areas-fun skulls on the patio table, spider webs on the chandelier and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes all over the place….especially the floor! :)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
That’s so fun that your kiddos are into it too! Thanks for sharing, Lyssa.
Jamie Martin
I decorate for Halloween, because spooky makes me giddy!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Spooky + giddy = YES! Love it, Jamie.
Jamie Martin
Just signed up for your newsletter!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Hooray! Thank you so much!
Birdie
Halloween decorating for me started out with my family. I can remember the exact smell of the boxes from the attic that held our light up “Haunted” house that sat on the windowsill. Now my family is completely against Halloween for religious reasons, so my decorations are partially an act of rebellion and partially to remind myself that I can be whatever I want and I’m not somehow less worthy for it.
Autumn
I’am sorry I just saw this!
Thank you for sharing your love of Halloween and decorating.
I love it to!!
Candace Jedrowicz
I decorate for Halloween because it feeds my soul.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
I LOVE that reason, Candace!