When October rolls in, my crafting corner turns into a tiny ghost workshop — clay dust everywhere, string tangled around my elbows, and me grinning like a kid.
Why? Because clay ghost garlands are one of the easiest, most charming, and downright fun Halloween decorations you can make. They’re budget-friendly, customizable, and store well for next year.
Let’s dive into 20 clever ways to turn simple air-dry clay into ghostly garlands that’ll float across your home like they own the place.
1. Classic White Clay Ghost Garland
Start with the basics. Roll out air-dry clay about ¼ inch thick, cut ghost shapes with a cookie cutter, poke holes for stringing, and let them dry. Once dry, paint two little black eyes. This is the foundation idea — simple, minimal, and works with any décor style.
Pro Tip: Use a toothpick to widen the string holes slightly before the clay hardens so you can thread twine easily later.
2. Dangling Ghost Tassels
Instead of stringing ghosts flat across a garland, attach them so they dangle vertically like little hanging spirits. Tie each clay ghost to a long string and knot the top of each string along a horizontal twine. The motion gives them a spooky, floating effect when a breeze passes by.
Bonus: Great for hanging across doorways where they can sway.
3. Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Garland
Add glow-in-the-dark paint or powder to your clay mix before shaping. At night, the ghosts will softly glow like they’ve got unfinished business. It’s subtle, not blinding, which adds to the eerie factor without turning your living room into a rave.
4. Mini Ghost Garland for Shelves
Shrink everything. Use a tiny ghost cutter and create mini ghosts about the size of your fingernail. String them on embroidery floss for a delicate garland that fits on shelves, mirrors, or even wrapped around indoor plants.
Pro Tip: Smaller pieces dry much faster, sometimes within 12 hours.
5. Rustic Textured Ghost Garland
Before the clay dries, press a piece of linen or burlap gently on top to leave a woven texture. Once dry, paint them off-white and lightly dry-brush grey paint over the texture. It gives your ghosts a weathered, antique feel, perfect for a rustic Halloween look.
6. Pastel Clay Ghost Garland
Who says ghosts must be spooky? Dye your clay soft pastel shades (lavender, peach, mint) before shaping. Once dry, add small white eyes. This style blends Halloween charm with a cozy cottagecore vibe and works well if you want something non-scary for kids.
7. Spooky Face Variety Garland
Make a set of ghosts with different facial expressions: happy, surprised, yawning, annoyed. Use a toothpick or sculpting tool to carve simple mouths before the clay dries. Once painted, you’ll have a garland full of personalities like a ghostly emoji parade.
8. Metallic Accent Ghost Garland
Roll thin strips of gold or silver leaf over parts of each ghost once they’re dry. It makes them shimmer under candlelight or fairy lights and turns your Halloween garland into a classy décor element instead of just cute craft.
9. Fabric-Wrapped Ghost Garland
After shaping and drying the ghosts, wrap their “bodies” in thin gauze or cheesecloth strips to look like they’re cloaked. Secure with a dot of glue. The mix of textures — hard clay and soft cloth — gives depth to your garland.
10. Floating Ghost Layers Garland
Make two clay layers for each ghost: a solid ghost silhouette for the back and a wavy-cut layer on top, attached only at the top with strong glue. The layered shape gives a floating 3D look when they hang.
11. Black-and-White Contrast Ghost Garland
Paint half your ghosts matte black and half white, then alternate them on the string. This sharp color contrast adds drama, especially if you hang it on a light-colored wall or fireplace mantle.
12. Tiny Ghost and Moon Combo Garland
Mix ghost shapes with small clay crescent moons or stars. Alternate them along twine to create a ghostly night sky theme. A touch of silver paint on the moons makes them shine beautifully under warm lights.
13. Ghost Garland With Name Tags
Personalize it: carve each family member’s name (or spooky nicknames like “Boo-Bob”) into the ghost bellies before drying. It doubles as a decorative piece and a fun family keepsake you can pull out every year.
14. Watercolor-Washed Ghost Garland
After drying your clay ghosts, dilute black acrylic paint heavily with water and brush it lightly across each ghost. The result is a soft gray wash that makes them look ethereal and aged — like old attic spirits come out to play.
15. Glitter-Dusted Ghost Garland
Brush a thin layer of clear glue on the ghosts’ lower halves and sprinkle with fine iridescent glitter. It gives a magical, frosted appearance like they just drifted through a moonbeam.
16. Pumpkin-Holding Ghost Garland
Sculpt tiny clay pumpkins and attach them to the ghosts’ hands before drying. It’s fiddly work, but the payoff is huge — your garland looks like a parade of trick-or-treating spirits.
17. Spooky Chain-Link Ghost Garland
Instead of one long string, create small clay rings and attach one ghost to each, then link the rings like a chain. This creates a chunky, bold garland that stands out, especially draped on a front porch railing.
18. Ghost Garland With Bead Spacers
String wood or black beads between each ghost for visual separation and rhythm. It breaks up the white-on-white monotony and makes the garland look professionally styled.
19. Oversized Statement Ghost Garland
Scale things up: make ghosts palm-sized or larger, about 4–5 inches tall, and hang only 5–7 of them on a long twine. It’s bold, minimalist, and perfect for filling large wall spaces with impact.
20. Kids’ Handprint Ghost Garland
For a sentimental twist, roll clay flat and have your kids press their hands to make prints. Cut ghost shapes around the handprints, making sure the fingers look like wispy ghost tails. Once dry, write their names and the year on the back. This becomes a yearly tradition and a keepsake that only gets more precious.
Conclusion
Clay ghost garlands are proof that simple crafts can make a big impact. They’re low-cost, customizable, and carry a handmade charm that store-bought décor can’t compete with. Whether you go for glow-in-the-dark drama, dainty miniatures, or oversized statement pieces, the key is having fun with it.
Grab that lump of clay, a bit of twine, and let the ghosts march out of your hands and across your walls — because nothing says Halloween quite like a line of little spirits silently cheering you on.