Halloween decorations can be quite expensive, sticking their fangs into your bank account and sucking it dry. So this year I decided that I would create a spooky decoration using recycled wine and beer bottles. Accumulating this many bottles can take some time, so I went to a local bar and asked for their empty bottles. You can also ask your friends or neighbors to save their left over bottles for you. Once you collect the right amount, it is important to thoroughly clean them using hot water and soap. Make sure to take off any labels or stickers. After the bottles have dried, paint them with the color of your choice. I chose black because I wanted to use the traditional Halloween colors. I then painted each bottle with an orange letter, that when put together spell out Happy Halloween. If you don't feel comfortable free handing your letters, you can use stencils or stickers. Go to your local craft store and they can help you choose the right ones. I added a little orange glitter on each letter to glam it up. After the paint on the bottles dried, I sprayed them with a satin clear coat to keep them from chipping. I bought short candle sticks at the dollar store, 6 for a dollar, and stuck them into the top of each bottle. I then added spider webs and a black runner to my table top to finish it off. This arrangement would also look great on a mantel or in a windowsill. You can also choose different paint colors and wording for other holidays, like Christmas or New Years. This whole project cost me just over $10, frighteningly frugal!
