Setting the scene for Hallowe'en, be it in the house or garden, grows more popular each year as more and more friends and families opt for home parties, as well as providing a suitably spooky welcome for trick or treaters. Like Christmas decorations, the variety of commercial products is endless, as is the expense of acquiring them.

So why not make your own? Children, in particular, love the creative process – and indeed making Hallowe'en decorations is an excellent way for families to interact and share time together.

Here are some ideas for you to try:

BLACK SPIDERS

Can black spray paint

Egg carton

Scissors

Awl, skewer or small screwdriver

Black chenille stems (similar to pipe cleaners)

Black pompom

Wiggle eyes

Glue

METHOD: Cut egg carton into 12 individual cups. Turn upside down and set them on old newspaper out of doors and spray paint black. When dry, using an awl, skewer, fine screwdriver, or similar, punch eight holes around the bottom edge of each cup. To form legs, cut chenille stems into pieces of sufficient length to insert through one hole across to another and out. Bend protruding pieces to preferred shape. Glue wiggle eyes on. Glue pompom on "top" of upturned cup, and voilà - 12 black spider decorations.

JACK-O-LANTERN PINATA

Balloon

Newspaper

½ cup flour

½ cup cold water

2 cups boiling water

Bowl

Pot

Wooden spoon

Scissors

Orange craft paint

Paintbrush

Black marker

METHOD: Make papier-mâché glue by mixing together flour and cold water. Stir mixture into boiling water. Simmer for a few minutes, let cool. Inflate balloon. Tear newspaper into 1-inch wide strips, dip into glue and wrap around balloon. Repeat process, covering the entire balloon. Let one layer dry, then add another. Let dry completely, then pop the balloon and remove it. Cut a small hole in the top to insert the candy. Decorate with orange craft paint and black marker, making a jack-o-lantern face. Hang the pinata and have a party.

BALLOON GHOST

White balloon

Scissors

White plastic grocery or garbage bags

Tape

String

Black market

METHOD: Cut plastic bags into strips leaving an uncut edge to hold the strips together. Blow up the balloon. With the balloon upside down, tape the cut-up bags around the balloon to make the ghost's body. Draw a face on the balloon to make the ghost's head. Tie a string to the end of the balloon and hang up the ghost.

JACK-O-LANTERN CANDY JARS

Clean, screw-cap glass jars

Black paint and brush

Green tissue paper

Green curling ribbon

Candy in orange wrappers

Glue

METHOD: Paint black jack-o-lantern faces on jars and let dry. Fill with orange-wrapped candies, and screw on lid. To make green "stem", fold tissue paper over and cut a large, double circle. Press in below rim and secure with elastic band. Gather excess paper upward, twist, and tie with curling ribbon. Use side of scissors to curl ribbon.