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• White gauze fabric or cheesecloth (the more lightweight and sheer, the better)
• Balloon (medium to large size)
• White craft glue (PVA glue)
• Bowl of water
• String for hanging
• Black felt, fabric scraps, or paper (for the eyes and mouth)
• LED candle or small string lights
• Scissors
• Mixing bowl
• Optional: Glitter for a sparkly ghost

Don't have time to gather supplies? Candletown.net offers ready-made ghost decorations that capture the same handmade charm!

Shop Ghost Decorations

Start by inflating your balloon to your desired ghost head size. Tie it securely and place it on top of a jar, vase, or cup to keep it stable while you work. This will be the form for your ghost's head.

If you want your ghost to have a more defined shape with "arms" extending outward, you can attach additional smaller balloons to the sides of your main balloon using tape.

Pro tip: Place your balloon setup on a covered surface, as this project can get a bit messy with the glue mixture!

In your mixing bowl, combine white craft glue and water in a 1:1 ratio. Mix thoroughly until you have a consistent solution. This mixture will help your fabric harden into a permanent ghost shape while maintaining its ethereal, translucent quality.

For a standard-sized ghost, about 1/2 cup of glue mixed with 1/2 cup of water should be sufficient, but prepare more if you're making multiple ghosts or a larger creation.

If you want to add some sparkle to your ghost, this is the time to mix in a small amount of fine glitter to your solution.

Cut or tear your gauze fabric or cheesecloth into pieces large enough to drape over your balloon with extra fabric hanging down to create the flowing ghost body. For a medium-sized ghost, a piece about 2-3 feet square works well.

Submerge your fabric completely in the glue mixture, ensuring it's fully saturated. Gently squeeze out excess solution—you want the fabric wet but not dripping.

Remember that the fabric will shrink slightly as it dries, so allow for extra material in your initial cutting.

Carefully drape your saturated fabric over the balloon form. Arrange it to create a natural, flowing ghost shape with some fabric pooling at the bottom to create a base that will allow your ghost to stand once dry.

Use your fingers to gently shape the fabric, creating natural-looking folds and ensuring the ghost has the silhouette you want. You can add additional layers of fabric for a more opaque ghost, or keep it single-layered for a more translucent, ethereal look.

For a floating effect, make sure the bottom of your ghost tapers slightly rather than having a wide base.

Place your ghost creation in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry completely. This typically takes 24-48 hours, depending on humidity and how thick your fabric layers are.

Patience is key here—the ghost needs to be completely dry and hardened before moving on to the next step. You'll know it's ready when the fabric feels stiff to the touch and holds its shape firmly.

If you're in a hurry, you can use a fan to speed up the drying process, but avoid direct heat as it may cause uneven drying or warping.

Once your ghost is completely dry and hardened, it's time for the magical transformation! Carefully pop the balloon with a pin or scissors. You'll hear a satisfying pop as the balloon separates from the fabric.

Gently remove the deflated balloon through the bottom opening of your ghost. Your creation should now hold its shape perfectly, with a hollow interior where the balloon once was.

If any areas need additional shaping, you can gently press them into place while the structure is still slightly flexible.

Cut simple oval or round shapes from black felt, fabric, or paper to create the eyes and mouth for your ghost. Traditional ghost faces have oval eyes and a small oval or round mouth, but feel free to get creative!

Attach these to your ghost using a small amount of glue. Position them to give your ghost personality—slightly crooked eyes can make it look mischievous, while perfectly round eyes might look surprised.

For an extra special touch, place an LED tea light or small string lights inside or underneath your ghost to create a gentle glow that brings your creation to life at night.

Your ghost can stand on its own if you created a base with the fabric, or you can hang it from the ceiling using clear fishing line for a truly floating effect. To hang your ghost, simply tie fishing line through the top of the ghost and attach to a hook or thumbtack in the ceiling.

Create multiple ghosts in different sizes for a truly haunting display! Arrange them at varying heights to create depth and visual interest in your Halloween scene.

For maximum impact, place your ghosts where air currents will cause them to move slightly, enhancing their ethereal, floating appearance.

Whether you've crafted your own DIY Halloween ghost or purchased one from Candletown.net, here are some enchanting ways to display your ghostly friends:

• Haunted Chandelier: Hang multiple ghosts at different heights from a light fixture or ceiling to create a floating ghost chandelier.
• Ghost Garden: Place ghosts throughout your garden or yard, illuminated with outdoor-safe LED lights for a hauntingly beautiful nighttime display.
• Spooky Staircase: Line your staircase with ghosts of graduating sizes for a dramatic entrance to your home.
• Window Watchers: Position ghosts in windows so they're visible from both inside and outside your home.
• Ghostly Tablescape: Create a centerpiece with smaller ghost decorations paired with Candletown.net's Halloween Mesh Lace Table Runner.