Trifle is a very popular dessert all year long. The combination of flavors and seemingly endless varieties make this traditional English dish a favorite of many. The size and depth of the bowl make it a natural to pull double duty during the holidays. With just a few ordinary items and a couple dollars’ worth of craft supplies, your trifle bowl makes a perfect base for unique and fun Halloween decorations.
Come and Get Me
Use acrylic paint to color a bag of cotton balls or rounds red or dark green. After thoroughly drying on a layer of newspaper, roughly arrange the cotton in the bowl. No extra points for neatness. Keeping the arrangement a little sloppy and uneven will add to the spooky vibe. Pull out fibers from some of the pieces to make it even messier. Leave a space in the middle. In the center of the bowl, place a fake rubber hand, Be sure the fingers are pointing up and out as though the creature is coming for you. Artificial blood can be applied to make the severed body part even creepier. Place on an entryway table or a covered front porch to greet holiday visitors in a ghastly way.
Spider Colony
Spiders are scary every day of the year. A colony of them in all shapes and sizes are truly the stuff of nightmares. Purchase a bag or two of decorative spider webs. Pull the individual clumps from the packaging and pull out bits and pieces to create a gauzy look. Layer the clumps in the bowl allowing the edges to drape over the sides. Use double sided tape to secure in place. Fill the inside with a variety of plastic spiders. The greater variation of colors and sizes will make for a more eye catching display. The tape can also be used to attach several spiders on the outside of the bowl as though a few are crawling away. This decoration will look terrific on a kitchen table or living room mantel.
Sweets for the Sweet
If you have little ones in the house or simply prefer less spooky Halloween decorations, stick closer to the original purpose of the trifle bowl. Select the candy you wish to give out for the holiday keeping the size and shape of your bowl in mind. After removing the treats from the original bags, layer the pieces in the bowl in an arrangement that is pleasing to your eye. Switch up the types and colors so that there is a distinct separation between the layers. Unwrapped pieces such as candy corn can be used as the top layer for easy snacking. Be sure to take a picture of your creation, as the sweets are sure to not last very long.