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Window decorations and the cutest little 'pumpkin' ever!

I like decorate each year for fall and Halloween and I haven't missed a year yet no matter what was going on. Even though this year is decidedly extra-busy, I'm still putting out the pumpkin and watering the mums.

Decorations that are ready-made are nice, but I enjoy making as many of my own as possible. For many years now I've decorated our front window (see photos 1 and 2) with construction paper cut-outs that I make myself. Last year was a combination of my own and templates I found on-line at Martha Stewart. The job can get very intricate and time-consuming, and since the ticking of the clock comes at a premium price for me this year, easier crafts are on the agenda.

Leaf Sun Catchers (photos 3 and 4) are something we've made in years past, and easy enough for the kids to help with, as long as an adult helps. The kids gather leaves that they like and sharpen crayons in red, yellow, orange and brown. They save up the crayon shavings until we have about 1/2 a cup. I then lay out a sheet of waxed paper, about 1 foot by 1 foot and the kids sprinkle it with crayon shavings and place their leaves where they like. I top it with another sheet of waxed paper and then iron it on a heat-safe surface with an iron turned on the lowest setting. Once the crayon shavings have melted and the paper sticks together well, I remove the iron and cool the paper-which really only takes seconds. I then cut it into any shape the kids want, poke a hole in one end and tie with thread to hang in the window.

Orange Jack O' Lanterns (photo 5) were an "Aha!" moment I had the other day when thinking about pumpkins and candles. I took a large orange and cut the very top from it. I scooped it out down to the white inside, rinsed it and dried it out with a paper towel--save the insides for orange juice or another recipe, if you like. I then cut out a cute face with a very sharp knife, added a tea light, and showed it to my family. They loved the idea, and it's about the cutest little jack o' lantern I've seen! These don't keep more than a day, they will start to dry out and look funny, but for a single party night, they are perfect.

Check out Disney Family.com's group Halloween blog, The Ghoul's Guide, for more stories and tips.