How to Create a Halloween Tablescape

To stay organized, we've made a list of materials for you. The materials below are for creating an entire tablescape. Add or remove a few materials depending on your design preference.

Materials you'll need for your tablescape:

• Festive runner
• Place mats
• Dinnerware
• Utensils
• Serving utensils
• Drinkware
• Serving bowl set or platters
• Polyester Cobwebs
• Fake spiders
• Candles and candleholders
• Napkins
• Napkin rings
• Halloween centerpiece

Start your tablescape with a clean dining table. Lay your festive runner across the table. Make sure to smooth out any bumps.
Next, position circular place mats. Place them where you plan to set out any serving bowls or platters. Lastly, place down a place mat at each seat. A black, white and red spider theme works great, but feel free to make it your own.

It's time to add the extra elements of spookiness.

• Using your polyester spider webs, decorate the backs of your dining chairs. They help evoke the feel of an abandoned, haunted mansion.
• Bonus points if you add one or two of the fake spiders to the webs.

What's a frightful family feast without some festive lighting?

• Add candleholders at varying heights to the center of the table. They will really up the eerie element.
• Insert the candles into the candleholders. Place them near the center of the table. They’ll serve as bookends to the final centerpiece.

Next, get each place setting in order. One option is to go bold with a red dinner plate.

• At the center of the setting, lay down a place mat. Put a dinner plate on top of it. If using, stack a salad plate on top of the dinner plate.
• Roll up a napkin and fasten a napkin ring around it. Place on top of the stacked plates.
• Place a clear glass and an opaque glass on the upper right side of the plates. Put the clear one on the inside and the opaque one on the outside. The clear glass will serve as a water glass. The opaque glass will serve as a wine glass.
• Arrange the utensils. Place the salad fork and the dinner fork to the left of the plates. Place the knife and the spoon to the right of them.
• Repeat for every seat at the table.

The centerpiece is where all the attention goes, so it has to make a statement. A spider-like crystal ball gives a haunted mansion vibe. It's playful enough for the littlest diners without being too scary. A few fake spiderwebs and plastic skulls set the scene.

• Place the crystal ball at the center of the table. Place the candles on either side.
• Place a fake spider or two on top of the ball. Delicately arrange any remaining spider webs around them.
• Scatter the skulls around the decorated table. Place some sitting upright and others on their sides.

After the table's been set and the chairs decorated, it's time to start dinner. Light the candles, switch on the ball and dim the lights. If you're serving wine, be sure to decant your wine of choice. Place the decanter near the head of the table.

Now there's nothing left to do but eat, drink and be scary.