5 Genius Last-Minute Halloween Hacks That’ll Make Your Fall Decor Last For Years
Hair spray, petroleum jelly and 3 more sneaky tricks that cost as little as 1 cent!
Key Takeaways
- Rub petroleum jelly on carved pumpkin edges to seal out bacteria and prevent rot.
- Coat your outdoor autumn wreath with hairspray to protect it from weather damage.
- Store leftover costume makeup in the fridge so it stays fresh for next year.
Halloween has a sneaky way of draining your wallet. As the days go by, your perfect pumpkin carving begins to slump into a sad, moldy mess. The inflatable witch that was the star of your yard last year gets a rip that makes it unusable. And the costume makeup kit you bought is forgotten about in a drawer that leaves it dried out.
But the good news is, we’ve found a way to keep you from having to buy it all new every single October. With a few insider tricks that the pros swear by, you can make your decorations, candles and makeup last well beyond October 31 to save real money this year and for Halloweens to come. Here, our best hacks to stretch your budget each spooky season!
Preserve your fall wreath with hair spray
Give your autumn wreath a quick spritz with hair spray before you hang it. The same chemistry that holds your hair in place helps shield the wreath from sun, wind and rain, keeping your festive entryway looking fresh longer.
Keep a carved pumpkin fresh with petroleum jelly
Carving shortens a pumpkin’s life span, which can mean buying a replacement if it rots before the big night. To prevent that, rub petroleum jelly over the carved edges, advises Jen McDonald of GardenGirlsTX.com. “It preserves your pumpkin by preventing bacteria from getting into the flesh.”
Store inflatables right for years of use
Keep your inflatables inflatable-ready for seasons to come with three easy steps. Make sure they’re fully dry before you pack them up, since dirt and moisture can lead to mold. Roll them rather than fold them to avoid creases that become weak spots. And stash them in an airtight bin so pests can’t eat holes in the material.
Stash monster makeup in the fridge
Splurged on a costume makeup kit and have plenty left over? “Stash it in the fridge instead,” suggests professional magician Paul Draper (PaulDraper.com). “Costume makeup is grease-based, so keeping it in the cool, humidity-controlled environment of your fridge is perfect for preserving it until next October comes around.”
Trim candle wicks for 30% longer burn time
Spooky-scented candles are a Halloween must-have, but with some running nearly $30 a pop, you’ll want every last bit of burn time. Trimming the wick boosts burn time by 30%, says Brenda Kosciuk of PaperHeartFamily.com. “Cutting them to ¼” high allows them to burn more slowly.”
Make Halloween fun last year-to-year
A few small swaps are all it takes to get more out of the decorations and makeup you love. With these simple tricks tucked in your back pocket, your Halloween haul can go the distance for years to come, leaving more of your budget for the fun stuff — like candy for the trick-or-treaters!
A version of this article originally appeared in the October 23, 2026 issue of Woman’s World magazine.
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