Angela H.
- Sep 9, 2020
- 7 min read

The Best Places to Get Halloween Decorations | Random Thoughts

It's that time of the year again, where stores start bringing out their Christmas decorations and try to ignore that Halloween is an actual holiday. Thanksgiving doesn't even get to have its time. I get it, Christmas brings in businesses a ton of money, so they want people to get into the spirit of spending a bunch of money even earlier than December. However, I think every holiday should have its time, even obscure holidays, like January 16th, National Without a Scalpel Day (hell, I celebrate that every day).

I decided after spending two weekends with my husband searching for Halloween decorations, that I would share the best places to get Halloween decorations. We went to a lot of stores and even though not all the stores have decorations out yet, I look for Halloween decorations every year, so I have a good grasp on what stores have the best decorations and what they usually have.

The list below includes information about what kinds of decorations are usually at each store, the name of the store (duh), if you can get the items in the store and/or online, and what kinds of prices you can expect.

Here is the list:

At Home
What Kinds of Decorations?
Large yard decorations, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, outdoor inflatables, knick-knacks to display on counter tops, and wall-hangings.
In-store or Online?
It looks like you can only get the items at the store for now.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. They seem to be a little overpriced for what you get. I bought a dancing and singing pumpkin man and he was $24.99. $20 seems like it'd be more of a fair price, but the price I paid wasn't too bad I guess. Most of the items in general weren't expensive, but again, I think they all were a bit overpriced.
Target
What Kinds of Decorations?
Knick-knacks for counter tops and mantels, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, large outdoor inflatables, outdoor decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights, pumpkins and skulls/bone animals.
In-store or Online?
I haven't seen much in the stores as of September 9, 2020, but there are plenty of items to choose from online to have shipped to your home or business.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive Some items seem overpriced and not the highest quality, but I think most items are pretty good quality and fairly priced.
Lowe's Home Improvement
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor/yard decorations, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, outdoor inflatables, lights, kitchen table decor, doormats, window decor, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, and caution tape for doors.
In-Store or Online?
Both, although there are a lot more items to choose from online.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. The items seem to be fairly good quality from my experience, so I think the prices are fair.

The Home Depot
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor decorations, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations (I'd skip buying those scary-ass clowns though, personally), props, outdoor inflatables, wall decorations, lights, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, caution tape for doors, wreaths and doormats.
In-Store or Online?
Both, although, like Lowe's Home Improvement, there seems to be more to choose from online.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Highly Expensive. Some of the outdoor animated items can get expensive, but the indoor home decor items seem to be fairly inexpensive.
Michael's
What Kinds of Decorations?
Knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, wall-hangings, pumpkins, wreaths (their wreaths were some of nicest I saw in-person, but they are pretty expensive unless they are on sale), floral/garland, outdoor decorations, skeleton animals, trees and ornaments, decorative pillows and lights.
In-Store or Online?
Both, although there are more items online than in the store. I like visiting the store to see the quality of the items, but if that's not an option for you, you can order online.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. I think the key is to wait until the items you want are on sale. Once they are on sale, I think the prices are pretty reasonable, but the regular prices are way too much for the quality of most of the items.
Joann Fabrics
What Kinds of Decorations?
Knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, wall-hangings, pumpkins, wreaths, floral/garland, outdoor decorations, skeleton animals, trees and ornaments, decorative pillows and lights.
In-Store or Online?
Both, although there is more to choose from online.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. Like Michael's, I think the key is to wait until the items you want are on sale. Once they are on sale, I think the prices are pretty reasonable, but the regular prices are way too much for the quality of most of the items. I do think the quality of most of the items at Joann's are better than Michael's (except for the wreaths), so I prefer getting decor at Joann's.

Spirit Halloween
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor decorations, wall-hangings, mugs, tablecloths, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, skeleton animals, lights, fog machines, kitchen decor and knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops.
In-Store or Online?
Both, although there seems to be more to choose from online.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. After seeing most of the items in person, I think many of the decor items are of good quality and fairly priced. I found unique decor items at the physical store, so I think paying the store a visit and really taking the time to look around is worth it.
World Market
What Kinds of Decorations?
Vintage-themed decorations, kitchen decorations, candles, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, doormats, wall-hangings and lights.
In-Store or Online?
Both.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. World Market has a rewards program and I often get texts and e-mails offering coupons, so I save money that way. You don't have to sign up for anything, but that's one way besides random sales that I've seen to save a good bit of money.
Home Goods
What Kinds of Decorations?
Kitchen towels, bowls, plates, mugs/cups, cookie jars, candles, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, and front porch decorations.
In-Store or Online?
In-Store only. Also, something to note: Home Goods has different items all the time, so something you see on one trip to the store may not be there the next time you visit.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. I think most of the items are fairly priced and of good quality, so if I find something I like I usually get it.

Etsy
What Kinds of Decorations?
Wall-hangings, kitchen decorations, dining room decorations, wreaths, lights, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, candles, doormats and front porch decorations.
In-Store or Online?
Online only.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. All of the items I've gotten from Etsy have been of good quality and fairly priced. I think it's a good place to get nice items if you are looking for something specific.
Christmas Traditions
What Kinds of Decorations?
Mainly vintage-themed decorations, ornaments, trees, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, wall-hangings, garlands and wreaths, pumpkins and gourds, lights, candles and candle accessories, outdoor inflatables, buckets, witch hats, table decorations, kitchen decorations, games, dolls, puzzles, outdoor decorations, decorative pillows and jewelry.
In-Store or Online?
Online only.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. The items are created by artists, like Etsy and Redbubble, so I think the prices reflect the quality of their work.
Grandin Road
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor decorations, wreaths, pumpkins, lights, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, outdoor inflatables, life-sized figures, front porch decorations, and kitchen and dining room decorations.
In-Store or Online?
Online only.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately to Very Expensive. You will find some unique and quality items on Grandin Road's web site, but they can get insanely expensive in my opinion.
Pier One
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor decorations, front porch decorations, kitchen and dining room decorations, doormats, knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops, lights, decorative pillows, lanterns, wall-hangings, wreaths, candle holders and candy holders/jars.
In-Store or Online?
Online only. They are in the process of closing their stores after bankruptcy, but have sold the business and the new owners are making Pier One online only.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive.

Big Lots!
What Kinds of Decorations?
Outdoor/yard decorations, animated/electronic indoor and outdoor decorations, outdoor inflatables, lights, kitchen table decor, doormats, and knick-knacks for mantels and counter tops.
In-Store or Online?
Both.
What Are the Prices Like?
Inexpensive to Moderately Expensive. I think it's better to go into the store to view the items as in my experience, the items are sometimes lower quality than depicted online.
Yankee Candle
What Kinds of Decorations?
Candles and candle holders.
In-Store or Online?
Both.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. However, there are frequent sales, so the prices can be relatively inexpensive if you can find a good coupon and/or sale.
Redbubble
What Kinds of Decorations?
Bedroom decorations (blankets, throws, comforters, pillows, etc.), kitchen and dining room decorations, totes, prints/pictures and clocks. There is not a dedicated section for Halloween decorations, but if you look up a certain horror franchise or theme, you will find the type of item you are looking for in the search.
In-Store or Online?
Online only.
What Are the Prices Like?
Moderately Expensive. The shipping is also expensive. I usually try to wait until there is a sale or coupon for 20% off and get items I want at that time. It also takes quite a while to receive the items (usually a couple weeks in my experience), so I'd order early if you want the items before Halloween.

Honorable Mentions:

Hot Topic
Bath & Body Works
Pottery Barn
Urban Outfitters
Kirkland's
Overstock.com
Amazon.com

Final Thoughts:

Where do you shop for Halloween decorations? Do you shop at any of the places I have listed above? Do you like them? Why or why not? Do you have suggestions? Please share your thoughts below!

Thanks,

A