When it comes to creating holiday magic, many people think about Christmas — rightfully so, it is a magical time of year. But Halloween presents the rare opportunity to make magic for an entire neighborhood of kids. It might seem a little early, but curating a perfect holiday house takes planning, especially if you’re hoping to be the most popular house on the block. If you need new decorations, you might want to split up purchases starting now, instead of placing one large order in October. But there’s more to a good Halloween house than just the decor.

Most Importantly, Give Out The Good Stuff

You can have an award-winning display, but that means nothing if you get the reputation of handing out subpar snacks. Give the kids what they really want!

Halloween candy can get pricey, but it’s better to buy less of the best than more of the stuff that’s going to get tossed to the side. You don’t have to get full-sized candy bars to be the popular house, either, just a good variety of high-quality sweets.

If your neighborhood is especially busy on Halloween night, you could offer hot chocolate or coffee in disposable cups for parents accompanying young kids. Coffee shops usually offer bulk containers for parties.

Consider Allergy-Friendly Options

Reese’s are a fan favorite, but peanuts are among the biggest allergens, so you should have other options too. M&Ms, Hershey’s bars, and Kit Kats are always hits for the chocolate lovers. If you want to offer candies that are free of many different allergens, Sour Patch Kids, Dots, and Swedish Fish are great options. Consider getting a handful of Halloween-themed Pez dispensers for a treat and fun accessory in one. Pez are free of the top allergens like nuts, dairy, and soy.

Create a Photo Op

In 2025, candy is not enough. If you really want to be the house everyone in the neighborhood has to stop at, consider adding a Halloween photo op for trick-or-treators. This could be anything from an elaborate display with super-sized decorations and homemade monster cutouts (think “face-in-a-hole” displays), to a simple backdrop with fake spider webs and pumpkins. Just make sure there’s some light source to not only illuminate the display so people stop, but to make sure photos turn out Instagram-worthy.

If you’re really in the mood to splurge? Look up digital photo booth rentals in your area. They typically come as a one-piece stand that includes a ring light, a selfie screen so photo takers can see themselves, and the ability for users to email photos to themselves directly. They might even have holiday props or backdrops at the ready too.

Outdoor Decor Ideas

Decorating for any holiday requires a delicate balance. You want it to be nice to look at, but not overdone. It’s also best if it doesn’t cost you a small fortune. We’ve been browsing Plow & Hearth’s Halloween line for inspiration. The brand offers a mix of whimsical and spooky, but not overly scary, decor to set a family-friendly vibe that still keeps that Halloween spirit. Below are some of our favorite items.

Lighted Halloween Witch Stakes

This trio of witches makes for a subtly spooky Halloween setup. They look great during the day as black shadows swaying in the wind, and at night, when the battery-operated heads glow and flicker. Your yard will instantly look better, whether you leave them as is or mix them with other decor you might have, like a cauldron and pumpkins.

Halloween Glowing Luminary Globe

A great Halloween yard isn’t pitch black. How would anyone see your terrific display?! A few of these globes, featuring a flying witch, bats, and a spooky mansion, give just enough glow to light up your path or porch. They’re battery-operated, so you don’t have to worry about outdoor plugs, and auto-timers allow you to set them and forget them.

Solar Halloween Hanging Bats

Another fun way to add light to your display, these bats hang from tree branches, porches, or any simple yard hook. As long as they get some sun during the daytime, you can light up your yard without cords or batteries.

Home is Where You Haunt It Coir Doormat

An easy way to set the Halloween mood outside is with a seasonal welcome mat sure to elicit smiles from trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, as well as your mail carrier and neighbors the rest of the month. Plow & Hearth has several options, from this fun take on a classic saying to a simple raven and a witch on her broomstick.

Feature Image Credit: Image Courtesy of Plow & Hearth