It’s October!!! (Part of me can’t believe it, part of me is stoked.)
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Last year, I went full Hocus Pocus for my Halloween decor, but I never bothered to blog it. I sort of took a blogging vacation for a bit. Actually, more like a few years.
Covid and other things really zapped my energy for crafting and blogging. I ended up just living in the moment with my family, and that part DIDN’T SUCK.
HOWEVER!
All the work I put into a spectacular experience for the neighborhood kids shouldn’t go wasted! It was a sincere joy, and *humble brag* I heard about it for weeks how much the kids loved my Winifred lip sync performance. *brushes shoulders off*. We used our bluetooth speaker to blast the soundtrack from the movie, and I always performed during the “I PUT A SPELL ON YOU” number. It was so much fun!
So, how did I bring Salem, MA to Chicagoland, IL? Let me show you, with my Hocus Pocus Halloween decorations!
My mother loves decorating for Halloween, but in the grand tradition of the only one (so far) to give her grandchildren, she always comes to our house for the holiday. ALL OF HER Halloween hoard lives at my house now. So we repurposed her foam gravestones to create the cemetery for the movie, and used one very specifically.
She also ordered the poster of the Sanderson Sisters that hangs in the window in excitement for the event. She got hers off of eBay, but Amazon has a lot of other versions available if you are looking!
I mentioned a special tombstone, right? I used a chalk marker to write on an existing foam tombstone that we already had. I copied the words verbatim from the movie and placed it center stage on the Trick or Treat walk up!
I made it my mission to make my own wreath (which I will use again this year in a Halloween theme to be shared later), and used a sign I bought to add to the center. You know, just in case someone was confused about where they “were”. 😉
I made use of painted pumpkins again (these were real, unlike my Addams Family version) along with some carefully crafted paper curls for hair. Set alongside our vacuum, broom, and mop, plus a Binx, I think I nailed the tableau!!
Naturally, you can’t pull of the real feel of Hocus Pocus without the black flame candle! I did a Google search, and discovered this awesome DIY to make my own! This thing is still working and glowing. (No virgins have attempted to light it on Halloween night, thankfully.)
Overall, it was a blast! We had tons of kids, lots of fun, and I got to go back to my acting roots and stayed in character, which was probably the most fun for me!
We had lines and lines of kids coming for treats, and even a few who asked me for a picture! I felt like a cast member at Disneyland!
This theme was so much fun, when they announced Hocus Pocus 2, I HAD to do something! So I did a small viewing party for a few friends with a ton of treats, largely inspired by the amazing community of Hocus Pocus fans! Below is a little sample. We used our Alexa and Hue activated LED lights to create an appropriate Hocus Pocus mood, enjoyed some delicious snacks, and settled in to watch our childhoods come alive 30 years later!
*No lie, I considered wearing my costume again, but opted for comfy couch clothes instead. (LOTS OF CARBS IN THOSE SNACKS!)*
My cousin is borrowing my Hocus Pocus stuff for her theme this year, so at least the theme goes on!
I’m excited for my new theme this year, but I LOVED doing this one! This movie is a must watch for me every year, and brings me joy every time. It also lends itself well to really fun, quirky, Halloween party ideas! The theatrical former actress in me will always go for the fun and quirky!
If you enjoyed how I did my Hocus Pocus Halloween, check out some other great ideas from other creative bloggers below!
Food
- Hocus Pocus Kid Friendly Punch ~ The Short Order Cook
- Hocus Pocus Savory Witch Hat Pies – MooShu Jenne
- Spooky Mummy Oreo Balls – Clan Kitchen
- Hot Dog Fingers – Fat Girl Hedonist
- Halloween Witch Hat Cupcake Toppers – Ann’s Entitled Life
Decor
- Hocus Pocus Mason Jar Decor – The Gingerbread House
- Easy Halloween DIY Glitter Witch’s Broomsticks – Ann’s Entitled Life
- Hocus Pocus Halloween Wreath – Mooshu Jenne
- Homemade Halloween Witches Cauldron – Ann’s Entitled Life
- How to Make a Witch Hat Headband – Simply Full of Delight
I hope these Hocus Pocus Halloween ideas put a spell on you!!
If you enjoyed this post, check out these:
Chamber of Secrets Halloween Harry Potter Decorations
I enjoyed seeing your party. My daughter and son-in-law hosted their annual pumpkin carving party yesterday. I made “Witches Knuckles,” basically candy coated pretzel nuggets with a slice of almond or cashew half for a deformed fingernail! I used salted caramel, mint green, and chocolate candy melts. They are addicitive! Iloved her tiny hot dog mummies–wrapped in crescent roll dough, pumpkin dip, and chocolate coated Oreos topped with a Hershey’s kiss to make witches hats! Food coloring in the egg yolk of deviled eggs with a chive snip for a stem made great pumpkins!