When to Start Decorating for Halloween?

It's that time of year again! Time to break out the pumpkins, the ghosts, the witches, and the candy corn...but hold on. When is the best time to start decorating for Halloween? If you're like a lot of us, you might leave it until the last minute. But if you’re in a festive mood and want to get into the Halloween spirit early, when should you start decorating? Is there a time that might be too early? Impossible, right?

If the big box stores have their way, you’ll be decorating for Halloween in February — they seem to start setting out the decorations earlier and earlier each year. But really, it all depends on how much you’re planning on getting into the festivities. And, it’ll all depend on what you need to have a successful Halloween.

Whether you’re someone who wants to carve a pumpkin or two, someone who enjoys a good Halloween party, or someone who wants to go all out and watch Halloween flicks on repeat for months on end, we’ve got some tips on the best time to break out those Halloween decorations and what you’ll need to make it a night to remember.

So, when do people start decorating for Halloween?

Truth be told, there’s no time like the present. But when to decorate for Halloween all depends on how you plan to celebrate the holiday. Keep reading for tips that fit the way you get into the holiday spirit.

For the casual pumpkin-carvers

Pumpkin carving is one of the best ways to celebrate Halloween. It’s fun, it’s memorable, and it’s a great way for people of all ages to show their creative side. If this is as far into Halloween as you get, that’s perfectly fine. Usually, the best time to put out Halloween decorations and get the pumpkin carving fun going is about 1-2 weeks before October 31st.

Why should you wait so long? Carved pumpkins only last a week or two, so it’s best not to get them out too early. The last thing you want is a rotting, droopy pumpkin on your front porch for the trick-or-treaters (unless that’s the Halloween look you’re going for). You’ll start seeing pumpkin patches pop up around town well before you’re ready to carve, but it may be best to wait if you can.

Keep in mind that when you carve pumpkins, the mess is real. It’s gooey, there are seeds everywhere (we recommend toasting them!), and there are chunks of pumpkin all over the kitchen floor. Make sure you have a kitchen trash can with a lid capable of handling the mess and keeping the smell of the pumpkin trapped inside — especially if you don’t plan on taking out the trash for a while.

For the Halloween costume party enthusiasts

For those of you who start planning for your next Halloween costume the day after Halloween, the best time to decorate for Halloween is going to be right on October 1st. Halloween decorations are on sale in full force, and you’ll have plenty of pumpkins to choose from to make your house look as festive as you want it to.

This will give you plenty of time to get everything the way you want it — your Halloween costume, your decorations, and everything you need for the night of the party.

While you’re looking online for decorations, make sure you look for things that’ll make your Halloween party a success. A rolling storage cart will go a long way when it comes to serving snacks, having drinks at the ready, and making sure candy is filling everyone up at all times.

If you live in an area where you can still enjoy a night outside, make sure you have a comfortable patio furniture set to make your Halloween party one that people will enjoy. While most people will be walking around showing off their costumes, some will need a spot to take a rest while they eat some pumpkin pie.

For the die-hard Halloween fans

This is it. This is your holiday. This is the month you’ve been waiting for. And to get everything you need to make this month a success, you’ll want to get started in September (or August, or July, or June, or May…) at a minimum. Really, when to decorate for Halloween is up to you, but the earlier, the better. You’ll want to have everything you need to get the party started when the clock hits midnight on October 1st.

Grab your candy corn, get your costume (or costumes) ready, break out your favorite pumpkin candles, and have your Halloween movie playlist ready to go. It’s spooky season, y’all.

In addition to all the tips above, you may want to go a step further to make this Halloween season one to remember. Turn your place into a haunted house for neighbors to walk through. Get yourself an inflatable Halloween castle for the night. For even more fun, a trampoline for kids is a surefire way to make the night a blast for everyone.

Remember that you shouldn’t wear shoes in a bouncy house or on a trampoline, so you’ll want to give your guests a spot to store their kicks safely. Grab a large shoe rack to give everyone’s shoes a spot — when the night is over, you can put it in your closet for your own shoe collection to have a home!

When to put out Halloween decorations is up to you

So, when do people start decorating for Halloween? The answer varies based on how much they get into the Halloween spirit. When to put out Halloween decorations is ultimately up to you, and there is no wrong answer (unless you’re setting them out in January or something…that may be a bit too early).

So no matter when you decide to decorate, just remember to have a fun, safe, and exciting Halloween!

If these tips helped you or you know someone who could use these tips (like if they need a hint that December isn’t the right month to have a large skeleton in the front yard), be sure to share with your friends.