These Decor Ideas Will Help You Partake in the Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Trend
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Like many holidays, Halloween is a time of tradition. Fall activities like pumpkin picking and carving, choosing fun Halloween costumes or making your own, decorating the house in hues of orange, black and purple, watching classic horror movies and, of course, trick-or-treating on Halloween night have always been favorites. But one newer tradition that we can't get enough of? Trunk-or-treating.
Not everyone lives in a busy neighborhood or has the opportunity to pound the pavement, going door to door for delicious treats, which is why trunk-or-treats were created. Participants typically bring their cars to a central location, usually a parking lot or park, and pop open their trunks to set up an elaborate candy display that trick-or-treaters can come to and score some good loot. Whether you're attending your first trunk-or-treat this October or have been partaking in the newer tradition for years, there's always room for inspiration, thanks to our easy trunk-or-treat ideas that bring fun to any spooktacular celebration.
With simple ideas that involve the usual decor like skeletons, pumpkins and tombstones and others that show you how to DIY your own red carpet for a Hollywood movie theme or create a cardboard version of the house from Up (balloons included), you can really choose any idea that fits your crafting level (most are h0memade how-to's) and your budget, since some items require more items than others. Just don't forget the most important thing of all — the candy!
Hollywood Movie
What better way to show off some truly stellar costumes than with a red carpet decorated with stars from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame? As for the treats, serve up the movie theater boxes of candy and mini servings of popcorn for a more unique offering.
Get the tutorial at DIY Inspired »
Pumpkin and Spider Web Decor
Sometimes simple is the way to go. Depending on the type of car you're working with, you can easily use pumpkins and gourds in a variety of sizes along with some spooky cobwebs window decals for a low-key but still very photogenic trunk or treat setup.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
Glam Cemetery
One thing about Halloween? A spooky cemetery setup is always a winner with a trick-or-treater, and this one makes the perfect backdrop for photos.
Get the tutorial at Jordan's Easy Entertaining »
Spooky Romantic Dinner for Two
Don't worry, this dinner for two is happy to get interrupted when it comes to giving out candy to eager trick-or-treaters.
Get the tutorial at DIY Inspired »
Hawaiian Luau
It might be October, but some of us can't keep the summer energy away. Besides, what will stand out more about cobwebs, costumes, skeletons and more than a colorful Hawaiian luau-themed trunk or treat?
Get the tutorial at DIY Inspired »
Super Mario Bros.
Kids who were thrilled checking out Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and Bowser on the big screen will get a kick out of this Super Mario Brothers trunk — I mean the Spooky Mario Brothers trunk. (Well, there are ghosts.) For this video game scene, paper lanterns became ghosts and chain chomps and tissue poofs became the bombs.
Get the tutorial at Frog Prince Paperie »
Flamingo
This setup offers some good advice — if you don't know what to be for Halloween, be a flamingo! Something like this is perfect for a family that doesn't want to do anything ghoulish or scary.
Get the tutorial at Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams »
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
You don't have to re-create the grimy New York City sewers to pay homage to those heroes in a half shell (though you always could — they are frightening). This trunk-or-treat setup took inspiration from the TMNT's love of a pizza and decorated the car to look like a pizzeria (though you can see the sewer entrance manhole in the left corner).
Get the tutorial at The Ashley Maria Blog »
'Up'
Kelly Parker of The Craftpreneur made this Up-themed trunk-or-treat setup so vibrant, it looks like it's going to take off from the trunk! And yet, she says it only costs $14 in supplies (even with the lights for nighttime illumination).
See more at The Craftpreneur »
Minecraft
Trunk-or-treat and Minecraft are both all about crafting, so they make for a natural match. This one features DIY pumpkins, TNT and — the pièce de résistance — a life-size creeper. (There's also an Enderman just out of the frame, but you'll see it if you click through to the blog post below.)
Get the tutorial at Frog Prince Paperie »
Pokémon
When it comes to Halloween candy, "Gotta catch 'em all!" isn't a bad motto. Run with it with a Pokémon-themed trunk. This one features a giant Pokéball made from cardboard.
See more at The Ashley Maria Blog »
'Star Wars'
Crossed lightsabers and a pumpkin carved to look like the Death Star are the focal point of this Star Wars-themed setup, which is perfect for nighttime events. Other touches, like the Millennium Falcon and other ships, are the icing on the cake.
Get the tutorial at Curly Crafty Mom »
RELATED: The Best Star Wars Family Halloween Costumes
'The Addams Family'
Try to walk past this trunk without snapping twice. Wednesday fans are encouraged to bring their own "Goo Goo Muck" dance moves.
RELATED: How to Easily Create the Ultimate Wednesday Addams Halloween Costume
'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'
Everyone knows that the truly loyal wait in the pumpkin patch on Halloween, hoping the Great Pumpkin will rise up and give them treats. If your kids can't wait that long, a scene like this is the next best thing.
Get the tutorial at Intelligent Domestications »
'Hocus Pocus'
Okay, who lit the Black Flame Candle? This Hocus Pocus-themed trunk-or-treat setup includes gravestones for some of the movie's favorite characters, along with cauldrons, witch hats, skulls and other spooky items.
Get the tutorial at Pineapple Paper Co. »
'The Wizard of Oz'
Follow the yellow brick road to this re-creation of the Emerald City. The striped socks of the Wicked Witch of the East sticking out from under the bricks is truly a great detail.
Get the tutorial at Kelsey Klos »
Three Little Pigs
Did you make your house with straw, sticks or bricks? (Or, heaven forbid, candy!) A Three Little Pigs theme is the best way to incorporate a trio costume like the ladies of HersheKissis did — just be on the lookout for the Big, Bad Wolf.
RELATED: Iconic Trio Halloween Costumes
'Jurassic Park'
Welcome... to Jurassic Park! While the full Jurassic Park trunk-or-treat decorating kit is currently sold out at Oriental Trading, life finds a way, and you can still buy pieces of it — like raptor cutouts, fake leaves, dinosaur footprints and paper cones and tissue paper to make torches — all individually.
'Beetlejuice'
There's a lot going on in the afterlife as envisioned by Beetlejuice, which makes for great trunk-or-treat fodder. In this display, black and white tablecloths make for the striped backdrop, and flashing LED globe lights even illuminate the sign at night.
Minions
Everybody say "Banana!" Evil Minions and good ones gather together in this trunk-or-treat setup, which even has a Minion pumpkin.
See more @maybmor.realtorcoloradosprings »
RELATED: The Easiest DIY Minions Halloween Costume Ever
'Alice in Wonderland'
You're invited to a tea party — a mad tea party. This Alice in Wonderland-themed trunk-or-treat is set out for tea with a checkerboard table runner and oversized playing cards.
Get the tutorial at A Lovely Design »
'Friends'
We'd recognize that purple door anywhere! This trunk-or-treat Friends tableau is titled "The One Where They Went Trunk-or-Treating" and it comes with the colorful umbrellas featured in the show's opening credits (which is helpful in case of inclement weather).
The Sandlot
Wendy of Wendy Kathleen Photography admits that her then-14-year-old beagle, Sasha, stole the spotlight from this Sandlot-themed trunk-or-treat display. Sasha made a perfect Hercules.
See more @wendykathleenphoto »
'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
This is Halloween! All of the hallmarks of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas are on full display here, from the famed Jack Skellington to the chomping holiday wreath. Chances are, no one had to ask, "What's this?"
'Toy Story'
Andy's cloud wallpaper is so distinct, all you need is a hint of it and people immediately recognize the Toy Story theme. To make this specific to Toy Story 4, this trunk-or-treat scenario is set up like a carnival booth with Ducky and Bunny prizes. (And love those Forky pumpkins!)
Get the tutorial at Live More Live Blessed »
RELATED: The Best 'Toy Story' Costumes
Ice Cream Shop
Sure, the costumes are cute in this "I Scream" shop, but check out the flavors available: The pints are labeled dirt, brains, slime and eyeballs.
Get the tutorial at Klos + Co »
RELATED: Spooky Basket Ideas That Are All Treat, No Tricks
Woodland House
All of your favorite woodland creatures can make an appearance this Halloween. Add a cardboard house and some mushroom lanterns to tie the whole look together (and turn your car into an epic photo-op).
Scooby-Doo
With just a few tweaks, your trunk can be transformed into a Mystery Machine! But then you have to watch out for all those meddling kids (aka trick-or-treaters).
Get the tutorial at An Alli Event »
'The Cat in the Hat'
You know when Thing 1 and Thing 2 show up to your trunk-or-treat, there's fun to be had! The folks at K&K's Cheesecakes used a Dr. Seuss-inspired color palette to match their Cat in the Hat-themed costumes.
Cookie Monster
It's only fitting for a business called Cookie 911 to make a Cookie Monster-themed trunk-or-treat display. Just cross your fingers that Cookie Monster doesn't eat all the candy himself!
Candy Land
What could be more appropriate than a Candy Land-themed scene? Just make sure no one tries to eat the decorations!
Superhero
You'll probably see a lot of superheroes pass by on Halloween. Why not give them a comic-book skyline to pose in front of?
Get the tutorial at Deonna Wade »
Candy Cottage
Now here's a scene worthy of Hansel and Gretel. Fun fact: The candy buttons are made from ball pit balls that have been split in half.
See more at Intelligent Domestications »
Creature
When in doubt, add giant googly eyes and teeth! Any monster or creature that results is sure to be trunk-or-treat perfect — especially if it has a big, long, red tongue.
Gumball Machine
A bunch of blown-up balloons transforms any trunk into a world-class gumball machine — and makes for a colorful display! It's going to put everyone in the mood for gum, too, so make sure you have some to give out.
Black Cat
A bad omen? A witch's familiar? Whatever it is, this black cat car decorating kit has something spooky on its mind. The kit comes with 50 pieces, including the green fans for the eyes, paper straws for the whiskers and black tablecloths and table skirts for the backdrop.
Sweet Shop
This display, dubbed The Black Hat Bake Shoppe, is full of Halloween treats. The cake pops are little bubbling cauldrons, and a crow watches over other sweets in apothecary jars.
Get the tutorial at Giggles Galore »
Circus
A lion baby Halloween costume and a couple of ringmasters take the center ring here. The circus theme continues as the ringmasters hand out candy in red-and-white-striped treat bags.
Get the tutorial at An Alli Event »
RELATED: Best Baby Halloween Costumes for Infant Boys and Girls
Hogwarts
Somewhere around Platform 9 3/4 you'll be able to find this trunk, a magical re-creation of the Great Hall at Hogwarts, complete with house banners, floating candles and snowy owls. Just don't be careful with those any-flavor jellybeans.
Get the tutorial at The Quiet Grove »
Angry Birds
The birds in this Trunk-or-Treat display are made from poster board, but the launchable pigs are green kick balls. Green paper lanterns could work as well.
Trolls
Trick-or-treaters would have sunshine in their pockets and good souls in their feet when they see this cheery Trolls-themed trunk-or-treat setup from Balloons & Beyond CT. They'll be all ready for when Trolls Band Together comes out this year.
See more @balloonsandbeyondct »
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