Everything shoppers need to step up their decor and costume games this October


To me, Halloween is the most creative holiday of the year – it’s an opportunity for people of all ages to get their juices flowing and express their most imaginative ideas. 


And this Halloween, creativity is at an all-time high: shoppers are finding unique ways to nod to pop-culture trends, putting twists on traditional decor, and continuing to double down on nostalgia. 


Etsy sellers are offering everything shoppers need – from small accents and accessories to full-blown costumes and decor – to step up their game this October. 


Read on for more on what’s trending this Halloween.


DECOR


Petrifying planters 


One of this season’s hottest trends is adding a spooky vibe to your #plantparent game. Etsy shoppers are increasingly searching for Halloween twists on their everyday planters, with searches for ghost planters up 137%, monster planters up 60%, and skull planters up 10% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). As a plant mom myself, I’m particularly loving this functional trend that is equal parts creepy-crawly and chic. 


Orange Planter with Drainage, Ghost Buddy Plant Stake, Monster Face Plant Holder, Ceramic Black Cat Planter, Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece, Halloween Skull Planter, Pink Brain Bud Vase

Retro-ween  


As we’ve seen throughout 2019, shoppers are craving nostalgia and that sentiment is extending to Halloween. Searches on Etsy for vintage Halloween decor has increased by 35% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year), telling us that shoppers are taking walks down memory lane and remember the Halloweens of their childhoods.  


1940s-1950s Vintage Halloween Beistle Die Cut Witch Moon Decoration, 1950's Vintage Spellbound Scramble Playing Cards, Vintage Halloween Cotton Cupcake Picks, Vintage Halloween Trick or Treat Bags, Vintage Halloween Paper Skeleton Decorations, Vintage Foam Pumpkins

Creepy candles


Not ready to go knee-deep in seasonal decor? Add a few spooky candles around the home for a quick nod to the holiday. On Etsy, searches for Halloween candles have increased 11% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year).  Add these on top of an existing stack of books, or on the coffee table for an instant pop of playful horror.


Halloween Skull Candle Holders, Modern Ceramic Candle Holder, Tiny Skull Ceramic Incense Burner, Coffin Skeleton Candle, Creepy Cry Baby Candle, Halloween Decor Eyeball Candle

Door decor 


Shoppers are getting ready to set the tone for party guests and wow trick-or-treaters with Halloween-ready front doors. Searches on Etsy for Halloween door decor have already popped 12% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year), so I have a feeling front doors are about to get a little spookier. I love these googly-eyed monster wreaths and these modern sleek and chic raven themes for all style preferences.   


Black Boo! Wreath, Spider Door Decal, Halloween Eyeball Wreath, Ghost Doormat, Gothic Skull Wreath, Mini Boo Pennant

COSTUMES 


Dressed-up dogs


On Etsy, there are thousands of dog costumes for shoppers to choose from – and, in fact, searches for dog costumes are up 8% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). From dinosaurs to unicorns, there’s nothing cuter than a pup in costume (not to mention a perfect instagram-worthy pic.) Pro tip: check out the video below for more pet costume ideas.


Hood Dog Costume Cape, Pink Unicorn Dog Costume, Pirate Dog Hat, Candy Corn Dog Sweater, Dinosaur Dog Snood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL1C1CB6C5467DC14D&v=9pwaszpxSBA

Alien invasion 


With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, all eyes are on outer space this year. So it’s no surprise that we’re seeing increased interest in getting extraterrestrial this Halloween, with searches on Etsy for alien costumes spiking 37% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year).  Since we don’t really know what aliens look like (yet), this trend is all about letting your imagination run wild and expressing your inner Mars-dweller.


Alien Costume, Monster Pattern DIY Costume Mask, Far Out Neon Green and Black Mesh Portal Suit, Alien Costume Cosmetic Glitter Kit, Alien Mask, Green Alien Mask

Big cats (and little cubs)


Perhaps a  recent movie revival is to thank for the rise in popularity of this trend, but on Etsy, searches for lion costumes have increased 14% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). And this trend isn’t just reserved for kids: Etsy sellers are creating versions for pets, adults, and kiddos alike in styles ranging from cartoon-inspired to completely realistic. 


DIY Lion Mask, Beanie Lion Mask, Baby Lion Onesie, Lion Dog Costume 

Statement-making masks 


Masks may have a reputation for being the easiest (read: least amount of work) costume, but these designs are anything but simple. Etsy sellers are reinventing the classic Halloween mask with unexpected textures and unique shapes. Shoppers are already getting on the trend, with searches on Etsy for masks up 23% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). 


Emperor Penguin Mask, Octopus Leather Mask, Child Size Brown Bear Mask, Sloth Mask, Pierrot Masquerade Mask, Skull Mask