Fall has arrived in Santa Clarita. Our days are a “cool” 95 degrees and the nights a “chilly” 60 degrees. Not exactly weather you would get in the Northwest or New England, but we gauge the arrival of fall in our valley with how long our windows can stay open in the morning!
Fall’s arrival means that Halloween is just around the corner. You can have festive, fantastic and freaky (if you desire) decorations for the holiday without spending a lot of money.
With just a few candles and fall’s bounty of pumpkins, corn stalks and gourds from Lombardi Ranch, watch the neighbors turn “orange” with envy over your skills.
For the outdoors, light outdoor walkways with luminaries made from orange and black paper bags. Cut out Halloween designs with a hole punch or stencils, place two inches of sand in the bag and place a votive in a holder or tea light into the center of the sand. Don’t forget the traditional pumpkin carved with your “freestyle” form, or the multitude of kits available. In addition, for a sophisticated look, hollow out several small pumpkins and cut spirals, geometric or leaf shapes, place a votive into the pumpkin, and see the results of your creative efforts! Place lanterns outside with orange or black pillars, add some hanging glass pumpkins with tea lights, and the results will be “spook-tacular!”
Inside, inspiration starts when you light a pumpkin-scented jar candle from Yankee Candle, Beanpod Soy Candles or Woodwick.
For a table centerpiece, place three 10-inch mirrors together in a row in the center of the table. Add pillar or taper holders with staggered heights, and place black, orange or white candles in the holders. Surround them with spider-shaped tea light holders, add candy corn candles, more pumpkins and gourds, and let the apple bobbing begin.
For more décor ideas, add a ghost or haunted house tart melter in the family room. Group votive and tea light candles in corners of the room and turn off all other lights in the room. Make sure to always keep candles away from anything flammable, and away from small children and pets. Battery-operated candles work well, with no flame.
You can also add gnarly candle fingers that bleed red or green “blood” for a more macabre look.
Have a safe Halloween.
Candleman is located in the Gateway Village shopping center at Newhall Ranch Road and Rye Canyon at 28269 Newhall Ranch Road. For more information, please call 661-257-9420 or visit www.candlemanvalencia.com .