Three easy ways to give your entry a cheerfully haunted look

Halloween homes need costumes too. Here are ghosts, lanterns, and a crow-filled tree that will welcome trick-or-treaters in properly spooky fashion.

Gossamer ghosts

Tulle, an almost transparent fabric, is the secret behind these apparitions, which sway in the slightest breeze.

Time: 25 minutes

Cost: $10

Tools and materials:

Clear balloon (1 per ghost)

Gray latex paint and paintbrush, or a thick permanent marker

Tulle (3 yards per ghost)

Scissors

Fishing line (2 to 3 yards)

1. Inflate a balloon and, with paint or a permanent marker, draw a ghostly face on the balloon.

2. Cut the tulle into two 4 1/2-foot squares.

3. Fold the squares in half and cut ragged edges on the unfolded sides.

4. Unfold one square of tulle and place it over the balloon. This will be the head and body of your ghost. Holding the tulle tight around the base of the balloon, weave fishing line through the fabric, pull it tight, and tie it off.

5. Lay the head and body on a flat surface. Place the other square of tulle (still folded) on top of it so that the folded edge lines up with the base of the balloon. This will form the ghost’s arms. Connect the two pieces with fishing line, tied through both fabrics at two points near the base of the balloon.

6. To hang the ghost, tie fishing line to the top of the head and at a point partway along each arm. – Mary Jo Bowling and Jil Peters

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