tiki lamps

tiki lamps

Have you ever been to one of those spooktacular haunted houses that people set up in the neighborhoods during Halloween? I’ll bet you have and, if you’re like the rest of us gruesome ghouls, you’ve been chomping at the bit to make one for yourself. We’ll stop chomping and start reading because I’m going to take you through the “basics on a budget” spending as few dollars as possible.

Effect is everything with a Halloween Haunted House

And that effect should begin before the unlucky visitors to your house of horrors even step foot inside.

Outside Effects

Start by making sure that any windows which face the front of the house have been blacked out from inside. Black plastic garbage bags work fine. You may have to split them or double them up but they’re cheap enough. Black plastic shower curtains can often be found in the dollar stores. Grab a lot if you can find them because we’ll be using them later.

Replace your porch and outside lights with blue, red, or orange bulbs. A black light works great on the porch if you have some glow-in-the-dark critters or effects you can place nearby. If your street is well lit then the black light effect is reduced, so save your money in that case.

Portable spot or flood lights with colored bulbs can be aimed at your roof or door to add additional lighting effects. If you have some Tiki Torches left over from the summer then place them strategically up and down the front walk.

Wal-Mart and the better Dollar Stores have Halloween lights that are a lot like Christmas lights but have little pumpkins or cats on each bulb. They’re cheap and you can string them around railings and lay them in bushes. Of course you’ll need some black cats, jack-o’-lanterns and fake spider webs hanging from the porch.

Decorate your front door to look like a coffin. It’s a great effect. You can also buy the Styrofoam grave stones to put on your lawn or you can make them yourself out of spare lumber and some black or grey paint. Don’t forget the scary music, wolf howls plus some moans and groans

Inside the Front Door

When your gory guests first set foot inside your haunted house, set the tone for the remainder of their visit by having a body hanging from the inside light fixture or some other convenient point of death. Stuff a pair of jeans and an old shirt like you’re making a scarecrow. You can use an empty bleach container for the face and cut out or paint on the features. Top it off with an old hat. Or, as an alternative, hang a huge papier-mâché bat instead of the dead guy. Don’t forget plenty of plastic spiders and webs.

If there are rooms or staircases leading from the entryway which are not part of the tour, cover them with those extra shower curtains that I told you to get, or use more garbage bags. If you have a friend who is a cop, see if you can score some crime scene tape to wrap around off-limit areas. Hey, the local PD might even donate some if you agree to put up a sign somewhere thanking them for their assistance. Police Departments have community outreach officers so they’re the ones to call.

The remainder of the house

Close off doors to rooms where you don’t want visitors to go. Decorate the doors to look like coffins, or hang ghoulish effects over them. You can also block them off using black plastic or shower curtains. Most visitors won’t even know that the doors are there. Doors to off-limit rooks are also great places to station your human ghoul helpers who will be jumping out and scaring the dickens out of your guests. Just make sure that they know to never actually touch anyone. That can open you up to a lot of legal problems and it might get them into a fist-fight with a visitor with no sense of humor.

Create you inside effects by using dark and colored lighting in each room. Black light sensitive decorations work great inside but only if you have black light bulbs installed!

Sprinkle gruesome props throughout your rooms. You can make great bloody hands by filling surgical gloves up with sand, tying the open end off with a rubber band, and then some “blood” effects with red paint Dry ice creates great fog effects but it will burn the skin if touched so don’t leave it where guests can get at it.

Hang creepy things from the ceilings. Wet (not dripping wet) yarn feels really creepy when it brushes across someone’s face as they are entering a dark room. Spirtz it throughout the night to keep it wet. Remember that most fishing line will react to black lights so use black thread instead.

Walk through each room as if you were a visitor. Fill in empty areas with appropriate props. Re-walk the house several times until you are 100% happy. Remember that you have a lot of flammable things in your haunted house. Candles, smoking and lighted flames of any type are off limits! Keep several a fire extinguishers handy and spread them around the house. Make sure that your helpers know how to use them. Also make sure that each helper has a flashlight and knows where the room’s light switches are in case anyone gets hurt or a young child becomes too frightened to continue the tour.

That’s it. You’re on your way to having the dream haunted house that you’ve always wanted. Better get busy. It will be Halloween before you know it.

Bottle Opener Hawaiian God Ku Tiki $12.95 Allow this Hawaiian God Ku Tiki Bottle Opener to bring you some island spirit as you open a bottle of your favorite beverage. Tiki bottle openers are perfect for outdoor kitchens, backyard barbeques, and island theme parties. This Hawaiian God Ku Tiki Bottle Opener measures approximately 6" in length....

10 Plastic Flip Flop Party String Lights Beach Luau $7.00 Set of 10 3" long Flip Flop Lights. Light up your luau or your year-round tree with these flip flop lights! For indoor and outdoor use, they'd also be fun for a party with a surfing or beach theme. A total of 8 feet in length. Get a few more to string around your porch or a kid's bedroom. The interconnecting 8'L cord includes ten 3"L plastic lights. UL Listed. For indoor or outdoor use....

Paradise Lighting GL23922 Solar-Powered LED Bamboo-Finish Torch Light $13.32 GL23922 Paradise Lighting solar bamboo torch fixture is a great poolside or patio accent. Gives a tropical affect without the use of oil or open flame. Uses NiCad rechargeable batteries which charge during the day and power the fixture with 6-8 hours of LED light output at night. Dusk to dawn photo cell operation. Requires full sun exposure to properly charge the batteries. Features: -Finish: Bam...

Lamplight Farms 1452 64-Ounce Citronella Torch Oil $8.65 Tiki 1452 64 oz Citronella Torch Oil (6 Pack) Tiki 1452 64 oz Citronella Torch Oil (6 Pack) Features: Torch oil Citronella Recyclable bottle Light, pleasant lemongrass scent 64 oz...

Olympic Flame Costume Decoration Battery Torch $14.41 Perfect substitute for a an open flame in bars and dens, and a great decoration piece to celebrate the Olympics! The technology is perfectly simple - But showing it is next to impossible because you have to see the motion and vibrancy to get the whole effect. Essentially it is an elegant arrangement of a silk fabric, powered by high-intensity Quartz Halogen lights and a high speed fan to make the...

Mini Bamboo Torches - Set of 6 $4.67 This listing is for a lot of 6 mini tabletop tiki torches. Can also be mounted in ground for low profile path lighting. Each is approximately 11" tall x 2 1/4" wide. Reservoirs and wicks included. Fuel not included. Not for children....

Set Of 2 Tiki Torches 14 - Natural Bamboo Tabletop Lights Luau $7.43 These Stand Alone !...Come Brand New In Package With Instructions... This Listing Is For A Set Of (2) Bamboo and Wicker Tabletop Oriental / Polynesian Torches with stable, sturdy bases. Adorned with lightly finished bamboo. Stand 14" tall, base is 4 1/2" diameter, styles and colors may vary slightly. Oil not included. Great for Barbecues, Camping, Gardens, Insect control, Luaus & Parties, ad...

ABC Products - 3 Inch x 80 inch ~ Aluminum - Lamp Post (Matte Black Finish)* Made of durable aluminum - Will not rust ~~ Easy to install ~~ 3 inch diameter outdoor lamp post 80 inchs long ~~ Black finish ~~ Fits Standard Post Lights....

Coleman 3150-A20 Fire Light Propane Torch (Green) $39.99 Now there is an easier way to relax outdoors while enjoying the authentic, open-flame ambiance of torchlight. Coleman's new FireLight Torch available with a post runs on clean-burning, easily obtainable propane. Answering the call for a reliable, real-flame lighting option, Coleman engineers have gone above and beyond the tiki-style torch to develop a clean, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain propan...

Bamboo & Seashell Tiki Torches $9.95 Spice up the Luau Party with Something Different Tiki Torches are an attractive decoration for your Luau party at an affordable price that keeps your check book as happy as your Luau guests. And since a tropical party is not complete until everything is Hawaiian, these tiki torches are the authentic way to welcome guests to your Luau. Three torches per package. 32" tall. Refillable tank holds four...

Unique Arts M28001 Stainless Steel Torch $32.00 Stainless Steel TorchUnique Arts Stainless Steel Torch will illuminate your nighttime gatherings. Powered by lamp oil, the torch comes complete with extinguishing cap that hangs from a chain when not in use. Easy to fill, just unscrew the top and fill the container. Great for entertaining or for use while enjoying your outdoor spa or patio area. Includes two wicks and holds 16 oz. of lamp oil (not...

Brinkmann 882-0606-0 Deck Set Torch $39.95 Deck Mount Torch Light (Set of 2) These attractive torch lights add warm glow to your deck or patio making it perfect for outdoor parties and cookouts! Durable, powder-coated steel for rust resistance Uses standard lamp oil or citronella oil to repel insects...

Bond Y2256 Kona Tiki Torch $108.99 Kona 3-In-1 Resin Tiki Torch Set When the sun sets on your evening festivities, the soft flicker of torchlight offers the perfect solution. With one of Bond's whimsical 3-in-1 designs, you can create the lighting scheme that works best for your outdoor hideaway.Comes in a set of 3Pole mountTable topDeck mount...

The Sims Livin' Large Expansion Pack $29.99 Sex and aliens. That's really all that was missing from the amazing original edition of The Sims, and the expansion Livin' Large delivers these new treats to liven up your beloved Sims existence. New characters (including a gladiator and Xena-like warriors), and, more impressively, new decorations are the reasons to buy this game. The furnishings are mostly grouped by theme, with the mediev...

The Sims: Livin' Large Expansion Pack $12.73 Sex and aliens. That's really all that was missing from the amazing original edition of The Sims, and the expansion Livin' Large delivers these new treats to liven up your beloved Sims existence. New characters (including a gladiator and Xena-like warriors), and, more impressively, new decorations are the reasons to buy this game. The furnishings are mostly grouped by theme, with the medieval du...

Petzl Tikkina 2-LED Headlamp $24.00 With a 13-meter range and a 150-hour battery life, the Petzl Tikkina Headlamp is perfect for a beginning backpacker. This two LED light is very useful for setting up your tent in the dark or working under the kitchen sink. A tiltable head on the Tikkina allows you to direct the light where you need it the most.Product FeaturesBulb Type: Two LEDs Power Source: 3 AAA batteries (included)Headband Typ...

Japanese Glass Fishing Floats Fish Net Buoys Tiki Decor Light Blue $9.88 Japanese Glass Fishing Fish Net Floats Buoy Tiki Decor Blue...

Bottle Opener Hawaiian God Ku Tiki $12.95 Allow this Hawaiian God Ku Tiki Bottle Opener to bring you some island spirit as you open a bottle of your favorite beverage. Tiki bottle openers are perfect for outdoor kitchens, backyard barbeques, and island theme parties. This Hawaiian God Ku Tiki Bottle Opener measures approximately 6" in length....

Coleman 3150-A20 Fire Light Propane Torch (Green) $39.99 Now there is an easier way to relax outdoors while enjoying the authentic, open-flame ambiance of torchlight. Coleman's new FireLight Torch available with a post runs on clean-burning, easily obtainable propane. Answering the call for a reliable, real-flame lighting option, Coleman engineers have gone above and beyond the tiki-style torch to develop a clean, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain propan...

ABC Products - 3 Inch x 80 inch ~ Aluminum - Lamp Post (Matte Black Finish)* Made of durable aluminum - Will not rust ~~ Easy to install ~~ 3 inch diameter outdoor lamp post 80 inchs long ~~ Black finish ~~ Fits Standard Post Lights....

Unique Arts M28001 Stainless Steel Torch $32.00 Stainless Steel TorchUnique Arts Stainless Steel Torch will illuminate your nighttime gatherings. Powered by lamp oil, the torch comes complete with extinguishing cap that hangs from a chain when not in use. Easy to fill, just unscrew the top and fill the container. Great for entertaining or for use while enjoying your outdoor spa or patio area. Includes two wicks and holds 16 oz. of lamp oil (not...

Brinkmann 882-0606-0 Deck Set Torch $39.95 Deck Mount Torch Light (Set of 2) These attractive torch lights add warm glow to your deck or patio making it perfect for outdoor parties and cookouts! Durable, powder-coated steel for rust resistance Uses standard lamp oil or citronella oil to repel insects...

Bond Y2256 Kona Tiki Torch $108.99 Kona 3-In-1 Resin Tiki Torch Set When the sun sets on your evening festivities, the soft flicker of torchlight offers the perfect solution. With one of Bond's whimsical 3-in-1 designs, you can create the lighting scheme that works best for your outdoor hideaway.Comes in a set of 3Pole mountTable topDeck mount...

10 Plastic Flip Flop Party String Lights Beach Luau $7.00 Set of 10 3" long Flip Flop Lights. Light up your luau or your year-round tree with these flip flop lights! For indoor and outdoor use, they'd also be fun for a party with a surfing or beach theme. A total of 8 feet in length. Get a few more to string around your porch or a kid's bedroom. The interconnecting 8'L cord includes ten 3"L plastic lights. UL Listed. For indoor or outdoor use....

Paradise Lighting GL23922 Solar-Powered LED Bamboo-Finish Torch Light $13.32 GL23922 Paradise Lighting solar bamboo torch fixture is a great poolside or patio accent. Gives a tropical affect without the use of oil or open flame. Uses NiCad rechargeable batteries which charge during the day and power the fixture with 6-8 hours of LED light output at night. Dusk to dawn photo cell operation. Requires full sun exposure to properly charge the batteries. Features: -Finish: Bam...

Lamplight Farms 1452 64-Ounce Citronella Torch Oil $8.65 Tiki 1452 64 oz Citronella Torch Oil (6 Pack) Tiki 1452 64 oz Citronella Torch Oil (6 Pack) Features: Torch oil Citronella Recyclable bottle Light, pleasant lemongrass scent 64 oz...

Mini Bamboo Torches - Set of 6 $4.67 This listing is for a lot of 6 mini tabletop tiki torches. Can also be mounted in ground for low profile path lighting. Each is approximately 11" tall x 2 1/4" wide. Reservoirs and wicks included. Fuel not included. Not for children....

common sense to the rescue on this one fill the bottle all the way up if that don’t last 3 hours get a bigger bottle