by Barb Hopkins

Created on: July 14, 2009   Last Updated: December 16, 2009

To make a big impression on Halloween, create a front door display to thrill every trick-or-treater that visits. Whether you choose to decorate using a scary theme or family-friendly harvest theme, the possibilities for Halloween door decor are numerous.

Spooky themes.

Cobwebs, giant spiders, and monster mouths are just a few of the creepier Halloween door decorations that are easy to create and look great. Choose your door theme to match the rest of your Halloween decorations. If you are turning your front yard into a haunted graveyard, continue the theme by making your front door a large tombstone. If your theme is a dungeon of horrors, design your door as a dungeon door.

Once you have decided upon a theme, it is time to cover the door with base paper. Think of this as setting your canvas. Depending on your theme, choose orange, black, brown, white, or even dark purple paper. Plain rolls of single color wrapping paper work well as does using brown packaging paper. Attach the paper to your front door with removable double-sided tacky tape. To work around the front doorknob and lock, have a friend hold the sheet of paper up to the door while you lightly trace the sight of the knob and lock in pencil on the paper.

* Tombstone Terror.

For a tombstone theme, cover the door in black or grey paper. Draw a large tombstone shape onto the paper with white or grey poster paint. Create a nameplate using your family name like "Enter into the Smith's Crypt. This crypt is the final resting place for four but there is always room for more!" For the final touch, drape cobwebs along the top and sides and glue several small plastic spiders into the web.

* Web of Creepiness.

Spin a web of creepiness to greet your trick-or-treaters. Cover the door in black paper. Using clothesline cord, create a giant spider web across the entire width and length of the door. Attach the ends with heavy-duty double-sided tacky putty. At the center of the web, attach with wire a large, spooky spider. Some Halloween stores sell giant spiders that are painted with luminous paint for a glow-in-the-dark effect; these are effective for this door design. Don't forget to add smaller spiders and randomly drape bits of web fluff for a dramatic effect.

* Monster's Mouth.

To turn your door into an open monster's mouth, cover the door with green paper and create large glowing eyes with construction paper painted in luminous paint. For the open mouth, cut jagged teeth from heavy white paper. Start

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