I do love Halloween, but I opt more for a classical, fun and festive look as opposed to spooky, scary, gory. We all have our preferences and our own styles. I much prefer a treat over a trick any day! I'm all about the pumpkins and whimsy and not so much about the zombies and ghouls. Halloween is just around the corner and it's not too late to get into the spirit of things! Below are gentle family-friendly ideas I've collected on my Pinterest board to share with you. Some ideas on decor, food, beverage, craft and entertaining. I hope you enjoy the images I have chosen to share with you. It's not too late to get into the groove, after all The Great Pumpkin isn't due to arrive for another two weeks!

I wish I had an orange door! This Halloween decor is almost elegant with the careful and strategic placing of pumpkins of all sizes and shapes along with the candles and lanterns. This front porch is terribly inviting. I'd like to cozy up against those pillows with a warm cup of apple cider!

Sparkly Christmas lights and some black birds make give this understated front porch an elegant, fun, and whimsical feel. The detail is simple; the impact is anything but! 

I've posted this photo before. It's an all-time favorite. I love the simple balloons turned into whimsical and playful Jack O'Lanterns. Here's another example where less is truly more!

This is our first Jack O'Lantern of the season. My youngest and I carved it today. His name is appropriately Cutie Pie! I learned a trick and I wish I could give credit where credit is due. Sprinkle the inside of the pumpkin with some cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice and the heat emitted by the lit candle will give off a subtle, gentle sweet aroma.   

This is about as scary as I go on Halloween! These darling little bones are so simple to make. All you need are some mini pretzels, mini marshmallows and some melted white chocolates! Dem bones, dem bones....

I love this festive way to serve wine (or champagne!) at any fall or Halloween party. I'm a huge fan of working with nature as a natural decor, and I do think the more simple the ideas, the more of an impression they will make.

I mean really, these are much too adorable! We're not entertaining for Halloween this year, but I will be serving these to the kids one night soon!

Another fantastic and clever idea! My oldest is not a fan of peppers, and I don't expect that she'll become a fan overnight, but I know she will find these positively precious!

I love the small pumpkins piled up on top of each other in these tall glass vases and think they'd look elegant on any mantle as well as on any dining room table. 

Krylon is the secret to inexpensive craft pumpkins to create a magnificent and elegant look to add to your Halloween decor. Place these around your hearth, on your mantle, as centerpieces on your dinner table or as decor on a buffet or any side table. A little spray paint can work wonders!

I love the idea of turning white pumpkins into mummies. The fun and whimsical faces are sure to delight even the youngest Halloween enthusiast!

Every Halloween party needs its own special party dish. This Graveyard dip is sure to please every appetite! This ghoulishly great idea comes to you from Better Homes and Gardens. Click here for the recipe!

This memorable Mummy Meatloaf will put a smile on your young Trick or Treater's face. A perfect meal to serve quickly before the young ones head out to paint the town red, or orange as the case may be! This recipe was created by The Knead for Speed, which she adapted from Epicurious. Click here to see the recipe.

Have an elegant Halloween dinner party with a few of your closest friends. Krylon spray paint once again takes center stage. Some gold paint and a few pumpkins in various sizes create a magical and elegant setting.

I've seen many variations of apples and white tea lights, but I think that this version might just be my favorite! I love the look of the rustic bucket and the glow of the candles reflecting off the sides. This is a must in any backyard fall entertaining get together!

Oh my Gourdness! Aren't these characters totally adorable? Legend has it that the original Jack O'Lanters were created from potatoes and turnips and not pumpkins. The practice of decorating “jack-o’-lanterns”—the name comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack—originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as an early canvas. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became an integral part of Halloween festivities. 

All images via Pinterest

I love this fun, clever, creative and oh so simple way of turning a large pumpkin into a cooler. This is another example of how something so simple and natural makes such a strong statement!

For these and other great Halloween ideas visit my Pinterest boards here and here. 

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

XXOO