Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, and even when I've lived in apartments where getting trick or treaters was rare, I have always decorated. This year, time and other commitments have gotten the better of me and I am tempted to turn off the porch light and hunker down until the kids all go home to count their loot. Though, knowing myself, I'll wake up and scramble to get some decorations up before night fall.

ABOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

• 1 Mason Jar Luminaries If you happen to have a stash of jars sitting around needing a new use, using some tempera paint to create some fun faces to great the little ghosts and goblins whilst they trick-or-treat could be the perfect last-minute-project.

• 2 Glowing Ghosts Okay, I know balloons and glow sticks aren't exactly green (in the "eco" way, anyway), but these glowing ghosts are definitely DIY. They create such a fun, spooky effect...I suppose you could do something similar with old plastic milk jugs and line your walkway to keep the kiddies safely on the right path.

• 3 Cheesecloth Spider Webs This is so simple, yet the Halloween shops charge a fortune for anything similar. Cheesecloth and some scissors will yield you a quick, yet spooky transformation to your porch or entry way.

• 4 Skull Pumpkins I created these little spooky little guys out of white "ghost" pumpkins. After I carved a rough face, I smeared black makeup around the eyes, nose and mouth. I was able to cut all three of them in about an hour. The "devil" pumpkin above them uses a chili pepper for the tongue and two carrots for horns.

• 5 Wicked Witch With some of your own socks and shoes, this could be used to great effect as kids approach your home.

(Images: 1. DIY Del Rey, 2. Martha Stewart, 3. Martha Stewart, 4. Michelle Chin, 5. Quick & Simple/Q&S Digital Studio )