My Mostly Dollar Tree Halloween Table With Treats

Carol DIY, Food, Home, Tablescapes

I made my Halloween table with several items from Publix, my printer, and the rest is from Dollar Tree. Several weeks ago,  I was shopping at Publix supermarket when I spied the Halloween display. I was drawn to the furry spiders. I bought a large one and two small ones. The next week they had added the colored light ghosts which looked so cute. I then had many ideas of how I would use them in a table.

Several weeks ago I was Publix and bought three furry spiders and colorful ghosts as the beginning of my table.

I wanted free printable ghosts and bats. I found a collection of free printable stencils for Halloween at about.com. Simple to print, cut out (there’s a link to instructions if you’re unsure) and directions on how to make stencils. I printed out several ghosts and several bats.

I found templates for bats and ghosts at About.com. Print and cut out.

I cut out my two ghosts and a selection of bats I had printed. I filled in the bats with a magic marker.  I filled in the eyes on the ghosts after I had flipped one over. Now the two ghosts are mirror images.

I cut out the bats and ghosts.

I then went to Dollar Tree to see what Halloween decor items they had. What a wonderful assortment! I couldn’t believe I got the Halloween ghost for $1.00. I hung it on a nail. I hand cut a circular shape from printer paper. I used the black magic marker to put a tree on the side.   I taped several little bats to the circle of paper to use it as a moon. I taped the circle to the wall over my Dollar Tree ghost. I cut a slit so the circle would flatten and still allow the ghost string to come down to the ghost head.

I added a mirror image paper ghost to each side. I taped several more bats up.  I put a chair cover (Dollar Tree) on the top of a chair and pushed it against the wall under the large ghost. I then pushed the table against the chair. It looks like a gravestone.

The table is covered with a black string “creepy cover” from Dollar Tree. To the left is a chalkboard with the word “Beware!” The sticker on the chalkboard was really hard to get off. I ended up with some of the paint on my hands working to get the sticker off. I leaned it against a metal holder I already owned. I put a black and white bow in front of the chalkboard .

On the right side I put a small wooden box upside down and covered with black material and the creepy cloth. I put two plastic skull cups (Dollar Tree) to hold sticks from the yard. I leaned a spider web (Dollar Tree) against the box and put the furry spider on top. I added the small spiders and lighted ghosts to the table.  I added a few dried leaves from the yard and more sticks.

On the right side are two plastic skull goblets with sticks and flickering ghost

In the center of the table I have a black plate of spider hot dogs and with monster fruit cups.  In the middle of the plate is a small dish of ketchup and mustard.

Now for the treats.

Last week on Facebook, I saw two different videos on easy Halloween treats. One was easy Monster Fruit Cups. Grapes in a plastic disposable cup with eyes and smile sounded tasty, healthy, and fun.  I bought organic seedless grapes at Aldi, washed and dried the grapes.  The video said to put two marshmallows on one side of the cup toward the top. On the outside of the cup you use a black magic marker to make black circles in the middle of the marshmallows. You now have eyes. I didn’t have marshmallows so I hand cut two small circles from printer paper. Taped them to cups and then made two black circles in the middle of the white paper. Worked fine.  The video said you could use white or red grapes.  They used white grapes and when they drew mouths, it stood out fine.  I drew mouths with the black magic marker and they looked fine up close. When I put them on the table , the black marks merged with the dark grapes. I went back to the white printer paper and cut rectangles for mouths. I drew with the magic marker and now they have mouths.  The video said to use the plastic kitchen food wrap and you can press and seal.  My plastic wrap didn’t stay sealed so I added a few pieces of tape to keep it sealed. You can make these cups ahead of time.

Monster Fruit Cup

The second video was on spider hot dogs; it’s a sort of Halloween version of pigs in a blanket.  The video said to half the hot dogs vertically and then cut each half again. One dog then makes 4 spiders.  I really didn’t want that many little appetizers so I just halved my hot dogs in the middle. I’m giving them to my good friend’s 4 grandsons. I just used one can of regular biscuits and didn’t roll out the dough as in the video.  I quartered each biscuit, stretched each piece longer,  and wrapped it around each half of dog. I did not have the seeds they used in the video so I cut my organic fruit juice sweetened dried cranberries in thirds and used them for eyes. Press firmly into the dough. One of my dogs lost his eyes in baking. Make three cuts on each side of the dog to make spiders. That gives you 8 legs per spider.

I had 16 spider dogs on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. I baked at 375 F for about 10 minutes.

Note on hot dogs:  This is my opinion. I eat very few processed meats like hot dogs, but I know some kids love them. Regular hot dogs are high in saturated fat, sodium and nitrates. Research has linked a frequent consumption of hot dogs to cancer in children.  I occasionally buy uncured dogs without nitrates and nitrites.  An excellent dog (my opinion) is by Applegate Farms, their Uncured Beef Hot Dog.   Each dog has 110 calories, 8 grams of fat (3 grams saturated), 7 grams of protein, and just 330 milligrams of sodium. It’s also made from organic, grass-fed beef. Compare that to Ball Park franks which have 550 milligrams of sodium, 190 calories, 16 grams of fat (7 saturated), and 9 grams of protein. Applegate Farms also has an uncured turkey dog.  If you want a chicken dog, you won’t find any mystery meat in Trader Joe’s Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs—just boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. These dogs also contain flavorings like garlic, onion, and paprika. Each one has 60 calories, fewer than a medium-size apple. They’ve got 250 milligrams of sodium, 2.5 grams of fat, less than 1 gram of saturated fat, and 9 grams of protein.  R E A D  L A B E L S ! ! !

Spider Dogs and Fruit Cups
Halloween Treats

Wishing You A Happy Halloween!!

P. S.

My friend, her daughter-in-law, and the four boys (age 8 and under) just left. My table and treats are a hit!

Resources:

A Healthier Hot Dog

Halloween Stencils

Monster Fruit Cup

Spider Hot Dogs

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

41 thoughts to “My Mostly Dollar Tree Halloween Table With Treats”

  2. Carol, your table is quite fun. So glad to hear your company loved it and the treats. Cannot beat the good ole dollar store. Thanks for sharing your fun creation at our Halloween Tablescape Link Party.

    Reply

  4. It’s all so hauntingly fun! I’m sure the boys just loved it!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  5. Such a great collection for Halloween Carol, you’re very creative and clever. I am taking note as I need all the help I can get as far as decorating is concerned 🙂

    Reply

  8. What an amazing blog. I had never had the pleasure of seeing your blog before. I am thoroughly enjoying what I see. You are so creative. I love all of your hints and ideas. Fun, fun, fun.

    Reply

    1. Oh, Valerie, what a sweet comment! I’m so glad you dropped by. I hope you’re having a wonderful autumn

      Reply

  11. Amazingly boootiful job Carol. Everything from the decor to the treats look lovely, I can definitely understand why it was such a huge hit. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Sweet Inspiration. I’m off to make some of those doggie spiders and see if I can find a ghost or two 😉

    Reply

  16. I love your table!! Isn’t Dollar Tree the best for DIY’s and Parties? I can go crazy in that store. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing with us at #MMBH! Pinned 🙂
    XOXO

    Reply

  17. That’s SO great! Thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party – hope to see you at the next one that starts tomorrow! Pinned!

    Reply

  18. This looks so fun! I love that it was a bunch of different sources that you put together. Great imagination. I can’t wait to try the hot dog spiders with my son. He will love them

    Reply

  21. Carol, your table decor for Halloween is great! I love that you found so many of the items at the Dollar Tree-that’s always such a budget friendly way to decorated. The spooky treats look great, too. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Pinning

    Reply

  22. Carol, your Halloween table looks so cute. I love the little ghosts that light up. Dollar Tree is the best place for holiday décor without spending a fortune in my opinion … like you, I don’t eat processed meats but I will eat an Applegate’s Hot Dog when I get a craving for a hot dog a sauerkraut … I’m so glad your table and snacks were a hit! xo

    Reply

  23. How fun is this? Really great when you can decorate on the cheap, you can still smile as you reflect on how little you spent, and enjoy the looks on everyone’s faces as they enjoy your hard work!

    Reply

  24. I like the skull cups and lighted ghosts!! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 2 for All Things Halloween. Shared.

    Reply

  25. Dropping by again to say thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 5. Shared.

    Reply

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