Remember when Halloween meant plastic jack-o-lanterns filled with candy from neighbors (and, okay, from a few strangers)? In those days, your favorite Halloween décor was all about cheap, plastic spiders, stringy faux spider webs and garbage bag ghosts in the front yard. Now that you’re all grown up, it’s time for your Halloween décor to grow up as well.
After all, if you’re throwing an adult shindig in your very adult digs, why shouldn’t your décor also have a touch of grown-up chic? Our recommendations still capture that dark, festive feel without channeling the days when you still had to ask if you could have another piece of candy before bed.
1) Skull Spreaders: How chic are these simple silver skulls? The minute we spied them, we were ready to trade in our bowl of cheap candy for a yummy cheese tray faster than you could say, “Trick or treat.” With this four-piece stainless steel spreader set, cheese has never looked so tough. Bone Collector Spreader Set of 4, Target.
2) Hot Plate: Yes, you could buy a stack of paper plates featuring cartoon pumpkins and Frankenstein’s big green blockhead, but why not opt for a more mature, eco-friendly option instead? The melamine skull plates in this 12-piece set are sized perfectly for appetizers, and they’re dishwasher safe. We think the black-and-white and black-and-cream designs are understatedly spooky. Skull Melamine Appetizer Plate Set of 12, Target.
3) Growing Fear: This pet plant has a certain Tim Burton appeal, don’t you think? The Nyokki grass plant—Nyokki means “grow” in Japanese—has a charmingly suspicious evil grin. The egg-shaped, glazed ceramic pot is filled with growing media and rye grass seeds that are easy to grow. While you can trim and cut the hair like you would coiffe a Chia Pet, we think the wild, unkempt version better suits the season. Sure, it may not be a giant bloodthirsty plant a la Little Shop of Horrors, but it will grow frighteningly fast. Halloween Nyokki Grass Pet Skeleton, Nyokki.
4) Bone Collector: The pattern that the crisscrossed bones create on this platter almost reads like argyle—brilliant! It’s also made of porcelain, which lends a surprising refinement to a piece that is covered in misplaced femurs and such. Plus, it’s more than a foot long, so there will be plenty of room for your monstrous munchies. Bone Collector Serving Platter, Target.
5) Smart Design: There is just something about the owl that brings thoughts of darkness and mystery to mind. While you can’t recruit a few real wise owls to hold still and look scary for your Halloween fete, you can buy a few of these paper versions to place strategically throughout your house. The detail on this owl is amazing—and plenty spooky. Can’t you just envision one perched on your mantle or bookshelf? Black Paper Owl, Cost Plus.
