Some Halloween enthusiasts even start prepping for the holiday in September, according to Associate Merchant of Decorative Holiday at Home Depot, Sydney Joublanc. “We always encourage customers to shop early and decorate early, so they can get the most out of their decorations for the year,” she shares. Here’s the best outdoor Halloween decor. Price at time of publish: $35 Dimensions: 14.5 x 8.5 inches | Material: Polyester | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $30 Dimensions: 17 x 29 inches | Material: Corrugated plastic | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Dimensions: 13 x 25 x 67 inches | Material: Polyester blend | Power Source: AA Batteries | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $70 Dimensions: 60 x 36 x 84 inches | Material: Polyester | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $17 Dimensions: Not Listed | Material: Polyester | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $28 Dimensions: 17.04 x 8.78 x 6.18 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $28 Dimensions: 5.75 x 3 x 10 inches | Material: Metal | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Dimensions: 60 x 24 x 10 inches | Material: Polyester | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $45 Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 0.75 inches | Material: Corrugated plastic | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $22 Dimensions: 80 x 37 inches | Material: Polyester, spandex | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Dimensions: 20.5 x 2.5 x 18.5 inches | Material: Rattan, iron, polyvinyl chloride, led | Power Source: Not Listed | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $21 Dimensions: 16 x 15 inches | Material: Polyester | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $80 Dimensions: 24.41 x 17.32 x 42.13 inches | Material: Polyester, copper, iron, ABS plastic, polypropylene | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $42 Dimensions: 6.2 x 5.5 x 4.6 inches | Material: Not Listed | Power Source: Corded Electric | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $30 Dimensions: 60 x 18 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $400 Dimensions: 180 x 66.5 x 70 inches | Material: Water-resistant | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $61 Dimensions: 42 inches | Material: Wood | Power Source: AA Batteries | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $10 Dimensions: 27 inches | Material: Foam, cardboard | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Dimensions: 22 x 22 inches | Material: Rattan, plastic, metal | Power Source: AA Batteries | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $99 Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.2 inches | Material: Glass, metal | Power Source: NiMH AA batteries | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $75 for single gravestone Dimensions: 20-24 inches | Material: Metal | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $15 for 4 inches Dimensions: 4-36 inches | Material: Wood | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $22 Dimensions: 9-16 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Dimensions: 23.5 x 13 x 48 inches | Material: Iron, string lights | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $65 Dimensions: 22 inches | Material: LED lights | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: Yes Price at time of publish: $50 for large Dimensions: 7x5.5, 9x7.5, 12.5x10.5 inches | Material: Resin | Power Source: AAA Batteries | Lights Up?: Yes Dimensions: 22.5 inches | Material: Metal | Power Source: None | Lights Up?: No Price at time of publish: $20 Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.3 x 2.5 inches | Material: Not Listed | Power Source: Plug | Lights Up?: No There are also various safety factors to consider when dealing with decorations that requires a power source. Shades of Light CEO Bryan Johnson shares how important it is: “Make sure that all cords are clear of walkways so they don’t present tripping hazards, always light walkways with string lights, and ensure that any lights are rated for outdoor use with a wet-rated/grounded power cord.”

Size

You’ll need to make sure you have plenty of room for the decoration and that it will be in scale with the rest of your decor, so always check the measurements before purchasing. Size is also important for storage: too big, and you may not find anyplace to tuck it away for next year.

Material

You want to make sure that you’re using durable materials that are meant for outdoor, not indoor use. The easiest way to check is to read the labels on your decorations’ packaging, and look for claims like “weather-resistant,” or “waterproof.” Try to stay away from ceramic or card stock cutouts, which can easily fall and break from heavy winds. Gauze, plastic, latex, and styrofoam are all examples of materials that can withstand most weather conditions.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics, including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more. “You’ll also want to remove any natural material the decor has collected throughout the season. Leaves, grass and small twigs tend to be attracted to the hair and beards on some realistic items,” says Joublanc. Joublanc provides a quick checklist for hanging anything from string lights to huge animatronics. “First, determine the weight of an item and how you would like it displayed. Afterwards, look into hooks and screw eyes that would be able to support the weight of the job. Some retailers even have gutter light clips available to make hanging lights from your gutters or shingles an easy job.” Loublanc also notes to make sure all decorations are completely dry before storing. She also notes, “For anything that uses batteries, be sure to remove them before the products are stored. There’s nothing more disappointing than getting out those items and they are not working because the battery leaked and ruined the whole decoration.” For smaller decorations, store them in clean containers that are clearly labeled. How you store your items will make it easier for next year. Johnson says, “For storage, clear Rubbermaid style storage bins are ideal so that they can all be kept in a single location, are easy to identify which season they are for (i.e. if they are stored with other seasonal decorations), and to keep the spiders out if they happen to be stored in the garage.” Expert advice was provided by Associate Merchant of Decorative Holiday at Home Depot, Sydney Joublanc and Shades of Light CEO Bryan Johnson.