13 Fall Decorations That Work For Thanksgiving And Halloween

Two of the most iconic American holidays fall in the middle of autumn, and they are both famous for their festive decor. Halloween is synonymous with spooky objects like cobwebs and jack-o’-lanterns, and Thanksgiving has a more traditional fall aesthetic. While these two holidays couldn’t be more different, it’s possible to find several decorations that you can use for both holidays.

The best decorations that you can use for Halloween and Thanksgiving include pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and hay bales. Other fall-themed items, including garlands, wreaths, and store-bought autumn decor, can be used for both holidays. Fall candles, dried flowers, mums, marigolds, and dried herbs like sage make for versatile autumn decorations. Scarecrows and autumn branches with colorful leaves can be used for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Finding fall decorations that work for Halloween and Thanksgiving is helpful for several reasons. Most importantly, multi-purpose decorations save you money. They also help save on storage space, and time. This benefits anyone who already feels overwhelmed and tight for money as the holiday season ramps up. To help make life a little bit easier this autumn, consider purchasing decorations that you can interchange between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Some of the best options are listed below.

13 Great Decorations That Work For Halloween And Thanksgiving

1. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are the most iconic fall decoration. They also play an important role in this season’s two biggest holidays. On Halloween, the jack-o’-lantern is one of the most popular decorations. On Thanksgiving, pumpkins of various sizes and colors are found on table settings and doorsteps across the country. 

To help save money and time on your fall decorations, buy pumpkins that will last a month or longer. While you can carve some pumpkins for Halloween, leave others untouched, as they will last longer. Picking the perfect pumpkin ensures it will last throughout the fall. Keeping these squash in a cool and dry place also helps them last longer.

2. Seasonal Garland

As soon as pumpkin lattes appear in coffee shops, you will begin noticing fall garlands everywhere. You’ll even see foliage garlands in regions where leaves don’t change colors. Autumn garlands are a great way to get into the spirit of fall.

This easy decoration is also something you can put up before Halloween, and keep up until after Thanksgiving. This is because even though fall garlands aren’t spooky or geared towards a specific holiday, they help set the tone of the season. 

3. Gourds 

Pumpkins aren’t the only vegetable that you can use to decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Gourds aren’t spooky on their own, but it’s not difficult to make these ornate vegetables look scary. Featuring them next to a jack-o’-lantern or other Halloween decor is a great way to bring out a gourd’s spooky side.

Gourds are synonymous with fall, which makes them a great Thanksgiving decoration. Place them along your buffet, front porch, or in a cornucopia. Many gourd varieties are inexpensive and last for months, making them a cost-effective decoration.

4. Corn Stalks

Dried corn stalks are another natural fall decoration that is equally effective on Halloween as it is on Thanksgiving. Thanks to many horror movies, corn fields take on a scary vibe in October. Dried corn stalks can bring out a lot of fear on the last day of October.

Corn is also a crop commonly associated with harvest and the earliest Thanksgiving traditions. You can buy dried corn stalks from seasonal markets and even online retailers. Since they are dry, they will last throughout the fall, especially if you keep them protected from harsh weather.

5. Seasonal Candles

If you are looking for elegant and versatile fall decorations for the home, candles are a good place to start. For one, fall-themed candles are available in abundance, with various colors and fragrances.

Purchasing orange candles is a great way to get into the Halloween and Thanksgiving spirit. You can use different candlestick holders to make the candles look more holiday-specific. Furthermore, Halloween and Thanksgiving are holidays that are elevated with some candlelight.

6. Dried Floral Bouquets

Dried flowers, especially those with deep red and orange hues, are elegant fall decorations you can use inside throughout the autumn. For one, dried flowers can last for years if they are properly cared for. This makes them a good investment.

Furthermore, by switching up the vase, dried flowers can look morbid and scary, or elegant. This makes them a perfect object for those looking to find decorations they can put out for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

7. Hay Bales

If you have a substantial outdoor area and prefer to use natural decorations, then hay is a great option. Hay rides are a fall favorite for those living in or near rural areas. Hay bales can be used to stage scary Halloween scenes or quaint fall scenes. 

You can use hay later on as mulch or in your compost pile. It is a decoration that can live a second life in your garden, with no plastic waste.

8. Scarecrow 

Scarecrows trigger fear in some people, and remind others of crisp fall days on a farm. These two different images of a scarecrow are what make these bird deterrents the perfect versatile fall decoration.

To make this decoration extra festive, you can dress your scarecrow in a Halloween costume as this holiday approaches, and then replace the costume with fall attire for Thanksgiving.

9. Fall Wreaths

If you are looking for simple and effective fall decorations that you can put up before Halloween and leave up after Thanksgiving, then a door wreath is a good choice. Wreaths are a simple but easy-to-see decoration, which is why they are so popular for nearly every holiday.

Choosing a wreath that is pumpkin or foliage-themed is a great way to embrace Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all things autumn. Best of all, you can keep it up until you are ready to replace it with your favorite winter holiday wreath.

10. Autumn Leaves And Branches

If you live in a region known for its vibrant foliage, then consider bringing some of this natural color into your home. Bare branches can make great Halloween decorations, as can dead leaves. 

Alternatively, orange, brown, red, and yellow foliage align with Thanksgiving. You can press beautiful leaves, or simply display them in a bowl.

11. Mums And Marigolds

If you want to incorporate some living plants into your fall decorations, then mums and marigolds are great options. Not only are these flowers easy to grow, but they also come in colors that are associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Marigolds are a vibrant orange, which will match perfectly with your jack-o’-lanterns and Thanksgiving squash. Mums come in many colors, including deep reds and purples. These darker colors are moody and look great on any doorstep throughout the autumn.

12. Dried Sage And Other Herbs

If you have an herb garden, then use what you have already grown as a decoration. Dried herbs, with sage in particular, can be a fragrant and effective decoration. Burning sage has a mystical connotation, which makes this herb a particularly good Halloween decoration.

Herb bouquets are also a fantastic decoration to have in your home during Thanksgiving, as it is the ultimate feasting holiday.

13. Store-Bought Autumn Themed Decor

If you like shopping at home stores for your decorations, then keep an eye out for fall decorations with universal appeal. Objects with orange, burgundy, and brown colors, with foliage and pumpkin themes, are all great options.

Choosing decor that is geared more towards the natural beauty of autumn rather than one specific holiday is the best way to get the most usage out of any decoration during this time of year.

Wrapping Up Decorations That Work For Halloween And Thanksgiving

Decorating your home and yard for Halloween and Thanksgiving is fun and a great way to get in the spirit of these holidays. These two major holidays fall within one month of one another, which means you have to decorate twice, unless you find decorations you can use for both holidays.

Some great fall decorations that you can put up for Halloween and Thanksgiving include pumpkins, gourds, dried corn stalks, and even bales of hay. Fall-themed decorations and candles are versatile options for the home, as are autumn wreaths. Dried floral wreaths, fresh mums, and marigolds are great decorations you can display throughout the season.

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