halloween

These Tomato Cage Ghosts Are the Cutest, Easiest DIY Halloween Decorations

published Oct 21, 2022
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With Halloween right around the corner, it’s officially time to start spookifying your space. But with so many themed decorations either being pretty elaborate (looking at you, viral “Stranger Things” lawn decor) or extremely expensive (hello, Home Depot’s famed 12-foot-tall skeleton), it’s understandable if you’re looking for affordable but simple DIY options instead.

Enter TikTok’s new obsession: tomato cage ghosts. Though they’ve been popping up on Pinterest for years now, TikTokers like blogger Macy Blackwell have given the adorably spooky trend new life on the viral video platform, with Blackwell recently sharing a video featuring her fun spin on the budget-friendly creation with her 1.3 million followers.

All you’ll need to create the ghosts yourself are a few key items you can score at your local hardware or home goods store. Simply score a few spherical tomato cages (most run between $3 and $7 apiece) and some large styrofoam balls, like the kind you’d buy to create a model solar system. Then, you’ll secure the styrofoam ball on top of the cage, before wrapping a set of holiday lights around the frame of the cage. Blackwell opted for white lights but other bloggers have gone with green for an “eerie glow.”

You’ll then wrap a white sheet around it, attaching two black felt ovals for the ghost’s eyes. Blackwell notes that the white sheet works for indoor use or if your steps are covered, with commenters noting that you can use a white shower curtain for outdoor use to protect your ghosts from the elements.

Followers love how easy and wallet-friendly they are, noting that you can get foam balls and shower curtains from the dollar store for extra savings. One commenter even joked: “That’ll be $999.99 at Pottery Barn.” Some recommended using LED lights to further ensure safety against the sheet or shower curtain.

Perhaps the best comment of all, however, came from Santa Claus himself (yes, Santa is on TikTok), who came in with a seriously handy tip to repurpose the craft for the rest of the holiday season. “Save the tomato cages and turn them into Christmas trees in a few months!!💚♥️🎅🏻,” he wrote, inspiring the masses with his sheer ingenuity.