Ouija Board Welcome Mat, Snake Goblets and Skeleton Singers: The Best Halloween Decorations of 2023

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.


Spooky season is upon us! Halloween is fast approaching and if you want to have the chicest haunted house on the block you’ll need to start prepping now. While we’re always partial to the perfectly carved (or smashed) pumpkin, but what about an animated jack-o-lanern that can sing! Technology has brought this year’s collection of Halloween decorations to a whole new level. Fill your yard with (solar powered) glowing eyeballs, get a pair of singing skeletons and so much more.

More from Variety


If you want to rival a presentation like this viral light show in Riverside, Calif. from 2016, you’ll need to start bulking up on the right light fixtures and fog machines. If you’re going for the arachnophobes, you’ll need as many spider props as you can get your hands on, like this giant hairy one, with LED eyes, from Etsy.


Whatever spooky mood you’re going for — from a “Craft”-style witch convent to a murder-ridden hotel a la “The Shining” —  here are all the Halloween decorations you need for a seamless transformation.

Skeleton-Held Ice Bar 


There’s nothing worse than a clogged bar line. Avoid this congestion all together with a standing ice bar that you can fill with chilled beverages ready to grab, and hoisted by a pair of delightful skeletons. You can also use the trough for other things besides drinks such as snacks like this delightful pinhead charcuterie board.

Skeleton Bar

Price: $195

Buy Now

Helping Hands


Channeling the endlessly creepy helping hands from “Labyrinth,” these candle holders are hauntingly fun. Stack them together in one hallway for maximum shock and awe. A flame-free candle comes with each hand purchase.

Helping Hand Candles

Price: $$23.20

Buy Now

SnakeWare


West Elm is having a whole snake moment in their 2023 Halloween collection. They have snake trays, snake plates, snake pillows, snake wine wine glasses (both sssstemless and traditional) and a truly striking snake votive holder. One could easily make the case that these fixtures can be used both during and after the spooky season, as they’re simply gorgeous. And doesn’t wine just taste better with a tiny little snake head between your fingers?

West Elm Metal Snake Glassware

Price: $30

Buy Now

Glowing Eye Balls


We’ve all seen the 12-foot front yard skeleton (that always sells out), this year give the people something new, a glowing eyeball garden! Each back comes with four stakes of eyeballs with 6-eyeballs per stake. The entire operation is solar powered so you don’t have to worry about wires and cables, just sit back and enjoy your sea of eyes.

Glowing Eyeballs

Price: $45.99

Buy Now

Dueling Banjo Skeletons


The skeleton meme sensation is still available. The musical duo spring into action thanks to a motion and sound detector. The twosome will talk to one another, then launch into a blue grass jamboree. All our respect to the clever decorator who can rewire these two to sing the Tim Robinson tune “The Bones Are Their Money.”

Animated Dueling Banjo Skeletons

Price: $79.99

Buy Now

Ouija Board Welcome Mat


A Ouija Board welcome mat! This clever doormat measures in at 30 x 17 inches. Made of natural fibers with a slip-stop backing, force all your guests to really commit to your party before they’ve even entered the premises.

Price: $34.99 $24.99

Buy Now

Wicked Witch Legs


Commemorate the death of the Wicked Witch with this distinct ruby slipper prop, referencing the demise of the malevolent tyrant of Munchkin Country. Pair it with this yellow brick road floor runner to fully transform you house into the vibrant land of Oz.

Wicked Witch Legs

Price: $16.95 $40

Buy On Amazon

 

‘The Craft’ Ouija Planchette Sign


Normally, we’re not a huge fans of the “live, laugh, love” wall signs. Halloween, however, is an entirely different matter. This is the season to bring out all the cult classic and horror trope and one-liners. Twenty years later and Andrew Fleming’s “The Craft” continues to be a staple that all weirdos-turned-witches can relate. Just be careful when you’re invoking the spirits this spooky season.

BUY NOW:

Price: $20

Buy Now

Cinema Light Board

Light box Halloween Decorations Indoor


And if you’re looking for something a bit more flexible, purchase a cinema light board, that way you can change up the saying throughout all of the fall. Our favorite lines include “call the corners,” “it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus,” “they’re here,” “I see dead people” …

Cinema Light Box

Price: $14.99

Buy Now

 

‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Poison Bottles


These handcrafted jars are a playful nod to (some of) the toxic herbs Sally uses to poison Dr. Finkelstein before making her final escape. Fill up each bowl with your own “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed punch, inspired by each of Sally’s poisonous creations, from Fog Juice to Deadly Night Shade.

BUY NOW:

Price: $30

Buy Now

 

Halloween Pillows

Halloween Pillows
Halloween Pillows


We live for a holiday pillow. It’s a cheap, easy way to add a little fun to your room without having to airlift in a 20-foot spider (although you should totally still buy the spider). And the Halloween-centric pillows are a plenty, so we rounded up a few favorites. From left to right starting at the top row: there’s this charming this “Boo” pillow that almost looks like a letterman’s jacket, a trio of dancing skeletons from amazon, a retro throwback with two classic black cats, a charming hooked jack-o-lantern, a spooky spiderweb throw from West Elm and this minimalist pillow, designed to Jack Skellington’s likeness above. Added bonus, you can keep that pillow in the rotation until the end of Christmas.

Nightmare Before Christmas Pillow

Price: $8.99

Buy On Amazon

 

Overlook Hotel Carpet Blanket


Transform your home into the Overlook Hotel from “The Shining” with this throw blanket, designed with the distinct orange pattern that makes up the carpeting of the storied, murder-ridden hotel. Throw it over your couch or place it on the ground as a quasi runner carpet. Pair it with these matching pillows for the full effect.

 

Tarot Tapestry

Courtesy of Urban Outfitters
Courtesy of Urban Outfitters


If you’re leaning into the witch moment, go all the way in with this trio of tarot tapestries. They’re exceedingly affordable and a fancy way to elevate your space and incorporate your salt crystals lamps and candles into the atmosphere. And if you don’t already own a salt crystal lamp, what are you waiting for!

Tarot Tapestry

Price: $19

Buy Now

 

Moving Portraits


These moving portraits are sure to frighten, featuring lenticular pictures to give off different sights at every angle. Hot tip, put them in the bathroom to really freak out your guests.

Moving Portraits

Price: $13.99 $12

Buy On Amazon

 

Orange Fairy String Lights


Pair your cobwebbing with orange fairy lights for some extra spooky ambience

Orange Fairy String Lights

Price: $20.17

Buy On Amazon

 

Animated Floating Candelabra


This ghostly candelabra, standing five feet tall, is the perfect edition to any otherworldly gathering on the 31st. Using audio sensors, it moves on its own, bumping into objects and turning around for an immersive, supernatural experience. The faux candles light when activated.

BUY NOW:

Price: $99.50

Buy Now

 

Madame Leota Light-Up Fog Figure


Fill up your house with the ghosts of “The Haunted Mansion” such as Madame Leota, a 19th century clairvoyant and oracle. This detailed decor piece doubles as a crystal ball and fog machine, adding sinister vibes to any room.

Madame Leota Light-Up Fog Figure

Buy On Amazon

 

Billy Butcherson Hanging Head


Honor Winnie’s ex-boyfriend from “Hocus Pocus” with this frightening hanging head, which features his distinct sewn mouth and hallowed eyes.

BUY NOW:

Price: $39.99

Buy Now

 

Michael Myers Halloween Decal


Slasher fans will appreciate Michael Myers haunting the festivities. This decal features a silhouette of the murderer from the iconic Halloween series.

Michael Myers Halloween Decal

Price: $9.99

Buy On Amazon

 

Giant Spider


Tap into visitors’ arachnophobia with this 6.6-foot tall spider. With realistic black hair and red eyes, the outdoor decoration is the perfect prop to get into the Halloween mood. Order in bulk, or go for this pack of six, to achieve a scene straight out of the 1990 film “Arachnophobia.”

Halloween Giant Spider

Price: $19.99

Buy On Amazon

 

Hanging Lighted Witch Hats


Outdoor light displays have never been easier than with these colorful LED witch hats, which you can control from this wireless remote. The pack comes with nine different colored hats to hang across your roof, or on a string across the yard, for a vibrant front yard decoration.

 

Black Bat Wall Hanging


Transform any room into a frightening bat cave with this pack of handmade bat cut-outs, to easily stick on surfaces around the house.

BUY NOW:

Price: $12

Buy Now

 

Do You Like Scary Movies ‘Scream’ Banner


Set a menacing tone with this “Scream” poster, referencing Ghostface’s ominous message at the beginning of the Wes Craven film: “Do you like scary movies?”

BUY NOW:

Price: $17.25

Buy Now

 

‘Drink Up Witches’ Sign


Sometimes you need a little incentive to get the party going. Set the tone for the night with this playful banner, perfect for hanging over a bar cart or below any archway of the house. Make it a full-fledged witchy night with this premium broom set.

Drink Up Witches Sign

Price: $9.99

Buy On Amazon

 

‘Hocus Pocus’ Serving Cauldron


You can’t serve food to guests in anything other than a smoking cauldron on Halloween. This “Hocus Pocus”-themed bowl features feet to sit flat on any surface, and comes with a branch-look, stoneware ladle.

BUY NOW:

Price: $99.50

Buy Now

Drink Blood Bags


If vampires are planning a visit, you need to be prepped with blood to keep them fed throughout the night.

Drink Blood Bags

Price: $19.99 $9.99

Buy On Amazon

 

Spider Cobweb Decorations


Any Halloween house get-up needs to come with extensive cobwebbing for the right vibe. This comprehensive set comes with mantel pieces, tablecloths and scarves to hang around the entire house to set the mood.

Spider Cobweb Decorations

Price: $12.99

Buy On Amazon

 

Holding Hands Ghosts


A creepy atmosphere is instantly secured with this ominous circle of ghosts, evoking spirits around a pit of fire. If you’re feeling witchy, go for this witches version.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Whirl-a-Motion Lightshow


You get an entire front yard’s worth of decorations using just one device with this “Nightmare Before Christmas” light projector. Colorful images show Sally, Ougie Boogie, Jack and Zero floating around a static image of Jack, serving as the perfect immersive backdrop for indoor and outdoor decorations this year.

BUY NOW:

Price: $18.18

Buy Now

 

Oogie Boogie Airblown Inflatable


Your house will be the star of the street with this light-up inflatable Ougie Boogie from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” At five feet tall, it self-inflates in seconds and lights up with bright, neon green LED lights.

BUY NOW:

Price: $28.88

Buy Now

Haunted Halloween Archway


Give trick-or-treaters a dramatic welcome with this 12-feet tall archway, illuminated with six mini-LEDs and an infrared motion sensor that lets out an eerie cackle when visitors pass by. Made out of tear-resistant nylon and packed with three additional multi-colored disco-like LEDs, this flashy decoration has you set for years of Halloweens to come.

BUY NOW:

Price: $299.95

Buy Now

 

Creepy Carnival Theme Kit


Be the best Halloween display on the block (even your town!) with this insane carnival-themed Halloween kit. Giving off “American Horror Story: Freak Show” vibes, the kit comes with a lighted tent arch, a vintage boardwalk ticket booth and  red railing rope replacements among dozens of other pieces to transform any space into an eerie circus.

BUY NOW:

Price: $1,997

Buy Now

 

Halloween Fog Machine


Transforming your house into a haunted manor is as easy as buying a super affordable fog machine. Set it up in the corner of any room or behind a prop for ghostly energy.

Halloween Fog Machine

Price: $39.99

Buy On Amazon

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.