Halloween Special: DIY Ideas, Recipes & Costumes

Autumn smells of pumpkin, spices – and a little bit of adventure. In this special feature, you'll find everything you need for your Halloween party: three quick recipes , two atmospheric DIY ideas for your Halloween decorations , and three classic Halloween costume ideas with clear instructions. All the ideas are budget-friendly, kid- and guest-friendly – and deliver maximum "wow" factor with minimal stress.

Recipes: savory and sweet

1. Mummies in puff pastry

Time: 25–30 min. • Quantity: 12–16 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 roll of puff pastry (from the refrigerated section)
• 12–16 mini sausages (classic or vegetarian/vegan)
• 1 egg for brushing
• Mustard/ketchup for eyes + dips (BBQ, Sriracha mayo)

Here's how:

1. Preheat oven to 200 °C (top and bottom heat).
2. Cut the puff pastry into strips approximately 1 cm wide.
3. Wrap the sausages spirally with dough, leaving a small "face" gap at the top.
4. Brush with beaten egg, bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
5. Add two dots of mustard/ketchup for eyes. Serve warm.

Tip: Cheese lovers should place a thin layer of cheese around the sausage before wrapping it.

2. Ghost Muffins

Time: 35–40 min + cooling • Quantity: 12 pieces

Ingredients:

• Muffins: 200 g flour, 30 g cocoa powder, 120 g sugar, 8 g baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, pinch of salt, 2 eggs, 180 ml milk, 80 ml oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Decoration: 12 large marshmallows, 150–180 g white chocolate, 1–2 tsp neutral oil, dark chocolate or food pen (black)
• Optional: Cookie crumbs as "soil"

Here's how:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) using conventional oven setting (top and bottom heat). Line a muffin tin with 12 paper baking cups.
2. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt). In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir briefly until smooth (do not overmix).
3. Divide the batter among the tins (filling each about ¾ full). Bake for 18–20 minutes. Test with a toothpick. Let cool completely.
4. Place one marshmallow in the center of each muffin. For extra stability, add a dab of melted chocolate to the muffin beforehand.
5. Gently melt white chocolate with oil (in a double boiler or in 10-15 second intervals in the microwave). Pour over each marshmallow so that the chocolate drips down the sides like a sheet. Let dry for 10-15 minutes.
6. Dab on the eyes and mouth with melted dark chocolate (toothpick/mini bag) or food pen.
7. Optional: Sprinkle cookie crumbs around the edges of the muffins = "grave soil". Done!

3. Crumble Finger Cookies

Time: 40–45 min. including baking • Quantity: 25–30 pieces

Ingredients:

• 250 g flour, 125 g cold butter, 80 g sugar, 1 egg, pinch of salt, 1 tsp vanilla
• Whole almonds (without skin)
• Optional: red jam (e.g. strawberry)

Here's how:

1. Quickly knead together flour, butter, sugar, egg, salt, and vanilla to form a shortcrust pastry, then chill for 20 minutes.
2. Roll walnut-sized pieces into "fingers", and use the back of a knife to indent the knuckles.
3. Finally, press in an almond at the end as a "nail".
4. Bake at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes. After baking, add a little jam to the "nail edge" – done.
5. Optional: After baking, add some jam to the "nail edge" – done.

Tip: For extra realism, marble the dough with 1-2 teaspoons of cocoa.

DIY decor: great effect, minimal effort

Perfect as atmospheric Halloween decoration for windowsills, buffets and entrances.

1. Little ghosts and ghouls made from handkerchiefs

Time: 10–25 min. depending on the quantity

Material:

• White paper tissues/napkins (2-3 layers per ghost)
• Head: optionally a bouncy ball, a ping-pong ball or a chestnut
• Yarn/nylon cord (for suspension), markers or googly eyes
• Optional: Hairspray for shaping, tea/coffee for aging.

Directions:

1. Place two cloths crosswise, position head in the middle.
2. Wrap cloths over it, tie them under the head with yarn (knot a hanging loop at the same time).
3. Paint or glue on a face.
4. Hang them up – individually, as a garland or several on one branch (mobile).

Safety: Only use LEDs, drilling/punching should be done by adults.

2. Mummy jars

Time: 15–25 min. for 3–5 glasses

Material:

• Empty screw-top jars (various sizes)
• Gauze bandage/gauze or a white shirt torn into strips
• Googly eyes or paper circles
• Hot glue/craft glue or double-sided adhesive tape
• LED tea lights/ small string lights
• Optional: Strong tea

Directions:

1. Prepare the glasses: remove labels , dry the glass. If you prefer a "milky" light: apply a very thin coat of diluted wood glue to the inside or use frosted glass spray.
2. Dyeing sanitary pads (optional): Briefly dip gauze in strong tea, squeeze out, dry → antique look.
3. Wrapping: Secure the beginning of the bandage with a dab of glue. Wrap loosely around the glass, slightly overlapping; leave a small gap at the level of where the eyes will be. Secure the end again.
4. Add eyes: Glue googly eyes/paper dots into the gap (first place a mini strip of bandage over them as an "eyelid" – it looks more realistic).
5. Let light in: Place an LED tea light inside the glass. Leave off the lid or just place it loosely on top.

Safety: Use only LED lights – fabric/gauze is flammable.

Costume ideas: classic, quick, effective

Here you'll find inspiration for your Halloween costume – quick to style, with a big impact.

1. Cursed Porcelain Doll

Outfit: Light-colored dress with lace/ruffles, knee-high socks, Mary Janes or ballerina flats, large hair bow/hair ring, lace gloves.

Make up:

• Light foundation + powder for a "porcelain" look.
• Round eye look: light eyeshadow, subtle eyeliner, white kohl line on the waterline.
• Place blush balls in the center of the cheeks, create a small heart-shaped mouth (contoured).
• Draw a few hairline-fine cracks with fine eyeliner; shade the outer edges minimally with brown.

Details: Small music box or rag doll in hand.

2. Zombie

Outfit: Roughen/tear old clothes, patinate them with tea/coffee, possibly dab in soil/ash; sturdy shoes.

Make up:

• pale foundation; generous grey-green under-eye circles.
• brown/olive eyeshadow as "dirt" on forehead, cheeks, neck.
• Apply pale makeup to the lips, optionally build up torn areas with toilet paper and liquid glue, and shade red/violet.
• A little fake blood on the corner of the mouth/sleeve.

Details: Bandaging scraps, name tag, slow, jerky movements

3. Devil

Outfit: A basic black outfit with red accents. Options: red shirt, turtleneck, T-shirt, or blazer; alternatively, a red dress/top. Add horns (headband/clips), a red cape or scarf, and a trident prop. A black belt with metal details and boots or dress shoes complete the look.

Makeup/Faceprint: Even foundation (or just mattifying powder), defined contour on cheeks/jaw. Eyes depending on style: Cat-eye for dramatic or softly smudged eyeliner/smoky effect for a more masculine look; optional red/bronze eyeshadow. Lips: Matte red or transparent balm. Golden highlighter on cheekbones/collarbone. Optional red flame or tail lines on temples or along cheekbones (beard-friendly: apply lines above the beard line).

Details: Black gloves, belt with metal accents, jewelry in gold/red

Conclusion

With just a few ingredients, some paper, and fabric, you can transform your home into an atmospheric haunted house in no time – complete with snacks, Halloween decorations , and a Halloween costume . Combine the recipes, decorations, and costumes to suit your taste and create your own Halloween party, or become a VIP guest with these ideas.

Tip: Despite the spooky atmosphere, remember safety, especially regarding open flames and flammable decorations.