25 Ideas You Can Steal From Christmas

          Well, the title pretty much says it all.   I’ve created this list of things that have been or could be stolen from Christmas and used for Halloween by putting a spookier spin on them.   Granted, some of them might be a stretch to say that they come from Christmas, and some just might be a stretch.   Give them a try anyway.   Maybe you’ll like them.

Lights, Lampposts, Candles, and Cookies

          First, let’s get the obvious out of the way.   Most people already decorate their homes for Halloween using the same type of lights that Christmas uses.   The only real difference being the colors: purple, orange, green, and, occasionally, red.   If you don’t already use lights, then you have an idea for next year.   You’re welcome.   The same thing could be said for the cookies.   Granted, cookies probably are more of a Christmas treat versus candy for Halloween, and there are already many recipes for Halloween cookies, but not everyone makes them.   Technically, candles should already belong to Halloween, as the holiday is all about darkness and fire.   The same goes for lampposts.   While lampposts might seem like a Christmas item, they were employed by early American settlers to help keep the darkness at bay.

Advent Calendars, Trees, Wreaths, Ornaments, and Garland

          Now, these items can be taken right out of Christmas.   There are plenty of instances popping up of each of these traditions being used for the spookier holiday.   Obviously, it would be pretty difficult to find a Christmas tree at the beginning of October, even if you were okay with painting it black.   However, more artificial ones are being made as people are using them more.   Any cursory visit to Michaels, or the like, will present you with an assortment of wreaths, ornaments, and garland for Halloween.   Plus, it’s pretty easy to make your own.   The real new thing is the advent calendars: I’m just starting to see them online, but I haven’t seen them in stores yet.   You know what I mean: those numbered boxes that you open each day you get closer to the holiday and contain some kind of treat.   Look here.

Gingerbread Houses, and Gingerbread Men, Fudge, and Candy Canes

          These treats are generally associated with Christmas, except for, maybe, fudge.   So, how do we steal them for Halloween?   Simply put, you’re changing the colors.   Many people make gingerbread houses and men every year.   In the case of the house, all you have to do is change the shape from a house to a beat-up looking shack.   Add some purple and orange icing and you have a Gingerbread Haunted House.   The same goes for the gingerbread men.   Simply change them into gingerbread zombies or ghosts or vampires.   The candy canes are a little more difficult.   If you’re into making them, just use black and orange instead of red and white.   Otherwise, they might be hard to come by.   As for the fudge, just change the flavor.   There is, literally, a fudge called Halloween fudge.

“Snow”men, “Snow”globes, Reindeer, The Switch Witch, and Fireplace Stockings

          These are a lot easier, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of the “Snow”man before.   For this, simply use pumpkins instead of snow.   That’s it.   Stack three pumpkins and give it some kind of Halloween related get up.   Done. Essentially, the same works for the “Snow”globes.   There are instructional guides all over the place about making you own globes.   Simply put Halloween inside instead of Christmas.   I know what you;re thinking, “How could reindeer possibly be used for Halloween?”   To that, I say, “Nightmare Before Christmas.”   Remember the part were the doctor animates some reindeer bones?   It’s just like that.   Have you heard of the Elf-on-the-Shelf’s Halloween counterpart, The Switch Witch?   You have now.   Lastly, instead of hanging Christmas stocking by the fireplace, use those black and green, witches’ ones.   Boom.

Looking at decorations, Pictures with a Scarecrow/Witch, and Greeting Cards

          You know what to do with these: they’re exactly the same as their Christmas counterparts, almost.   Driving around to look at decorations might be harder for Halloween as, unfortunately, not as many people decorate, (shame shame).   Better yet, maybe walk, if it’s possible.   As for the pictures, why should Santa have all the fun?   Have the kids take pictures with a Halloween mascot, which segues nicely into greeting cards.   Years ago, maybe even decades, people used to send out Halloween cards.   Just use your Scarecrow/Witch pictures and send away.

Vampire Hot Chocolate, Halloween Bark, Pumpkin Egg Nog, and Lighted Villages

          These are, pretty much, the same deal as the gingerbread stuff.   The vampire hot chocolate is just red with a little something added.   The Halloween bark uses different candy than the Christmas peppermint bark, and the pumpkin egg nog uses, well, pumpkin.   As for the Lighted Villages, there are a couple of videos about turning cheap, dollar store, Christmas houses into Halloween houses, that is, if you don’t want to spend the extra money buying professionally made, spooky ones.

          Well, that concludes this exhausting list.   I hope it serves to make future Halloweens a lot more fun and exciting.   I know it will for mine.   By the way, if anyone figures out a way to steal Mistletoe in the name of Halloween, I’d love to hear about it.