halloween

This year I get to decorate two houses for Halloween so it basically feels like Christmas right now. I moved into my town home in July and am still getting situated but I knew I wanted to decorate the mantel and bookshelves first. They’re the focal point of the room and main floor and it’s where the kids and I spend most of our time.

My favorite place to find Halloween decor is Home Goods! They have the most unique things at a great price. I also love Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Party City and Target. Surprisingly, I don’t order too much decor online. If you have any favorite online sites you love for decor, leave it in the comments so I can get them out!

I have to say that the house decor last year was definitely my favorite. You can check it out here for more spooky inspo. If you are needing more inspiration then hop on over to the following ladies home tours. They always have the best holiday content and totally inspire me to decorate all year long: Kozy & Co, Lo Chandler, Darling Do. Happy decorating, friends!

 

Happy Halloween! The best day of the year has finally arrived and I could not be more excited! It’s been a busy day gearing up for our annual Halloween party tonight and celebrating at the kids schools this morning. It was so fun to see all the kids in their costumes and I love how special the schools make it for all of them. I may have even cried after leaving Henry’s school because he was so cute and excited to see all of us there. This years costume is a family affair and I’m obsessed with how everyone’s turned out! The kids have really gotten into Harry Potter lately and my husband and I have always been fans. When brainstorming family costumes a few months ago, Harry Potter came to me like a lightbulb moment and from there it was time to start planning.

My husband is 6’5 so Hagrid was the perfect choice for him. My maiden name is McGonigle so Professor McGonagall was very fitting. Evelyn makes the cutest little Hermione and my sweet Henry plays the Harry character so well. This was such a fun costume to put together and nearly everything was from Amazon (everything linked at the bottom of the post) except Evelyn’s costume which was handmade. All of the Hagrid pieces came from a few thrift stores! Also, can we talk about how he rocks the Jesus hair and wig?!? What are you guys being today? I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! xoxo

Green Velvet Cape // Witch Hat // Prof. McGonagall Glasses // Jesus Wig // Scarf // HP Glasses // Harry Potter Accessory Set // Harry Potter Robe // Tie //  Evelyn’s Hermione Costume was handmade from Little Ladies Boutique. I’m not sure if she makes the costumes anymore but there are a ton of small shops on Etsy who do custom dresses! Here is a cheaper option.

It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday! I mean, I had my dining room painted dark purple because of my deep love for this holiday! If you have been following me on Instagram (@chanelvanreenen), then you have seen some behind the scenes decorating that’s been happening over the past few weeks. Within only one week until Halloween, I’m so excited to share our home tour! Decorating for the holidays is hands down my favorite thing to get everyone in the holiday spirit and really makes the month leading up so much fun. Let’s get onto the tour!

Living Room

Sunroom

Dining Room

Foyer

Kitchen

Basically my house looks like an asylum right now and I’m definitely okay with that. My favorite places to shop for Halloween decor are Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Party City, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’ve actually never, ever purchased Halloween decor online because I love getting it in person and I need instant gratification. Do you decorate for Halloween? What is your favorite part of this holiday? I’d love to hear in the comments below! Happy Haunting!

Since we tend to go overboard on the sweets for Halloween, I’ve been trying to keep healthier treats around this month. Starting on October 1 every year, the kids and I do a “countdown to Halloween” each day after school. This includes anything from painting pumpkins, making a spooky ghost gingerbread house, baking something yummy, or going on a scavenger hunt to find a new holiday toy. I find most of the months surprises in the Target Dollar Spot, at Michaels or Joann’s craft stores, or even Party City. Ultimately, I want to create memories of togetherness and have the kids always cherish special holiday times that they will remember forever and hopefully pass down to their children.

Holidays with kids really are the most amazing thing. I love getting them excited and giving them something to look forward to. We love celebrating for the entire month of a major holiday and since Halloween is my favorite holiday, my excitement has rubbed off on them. Last week I surprised them after school with a real life skeleton and some yummy snacks, including a Bootastic Bouquet with Orange Swizzle Berries & Swizzle Bananas from Edible Arrangements! It’s a great alternative to the typical Halloween candy and snacks and comes with fun chocolate covered pineapple cats, bats, and ghosts!

I’ve shared my love of Edible Arrangements in the past and they really are my go-to special treat for any occasion. Just last month we threw a mini party for my husband and the fruit arrangement from Edible was gone that evening, haha! This time I picked up some orange drinks to go with the Halloween theme, a few homemade cookies that I made using applesauce and almond flour instead of sugar and white flour, and of course a Bootastic Arrangement from Edible.

Do you have any special traditions that you do with your children? I’d love to hear them in the comments! Whatever the occasion you may be celebrating, be sure to including an Edible Arrangement which is perfect for everyone in your family!

It’s here! My favorite holiday is finally here. I’m so excited to share Henry and Evelyn’s costumes with you today. A few months back one of my favorite movies, A League of Their Own, was playing one night and that’s when it hit me: the kids were going to be Jimmy Dugan and Dottie Hinson. I immediately began scouring small shops for the perfect costumes before I found an amazing seamstress on Etsy who handmade both. I couldn’t be happier with the costumes and they just may be my favorite duo yet. Check out last years Little Red Riding Hood & The Big Bad Wolf and the previous years Firefighter & Dalmatian. Henry has also been Carl from Up and Brian Urlacher. It’s hard to believe that this is his 6th year dressing up (slow down time). What are your kids being this year? Let me know below. Happy Halloween, everyone! Be safe, eat candy until your stomach hurts and remember, There’s no crying in Baseball!

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