To me, Halloween is the most creative holiday of the year – it’s an opportunity for people of all ages to get their juices flowing and express their most imaginative ideas. 

And this Halloween, creativity is at an all-time high: shoppers are finding unique ways to nod to pop-culture trends, putting twists on traditional decor, and continuing to double down on nostalgia. 

Etsy sellers are offering everything shoppers need – from small accents and accessories to full-blown costumes and decor – to step up their game this October. 

Read on for more on what’s trending this Halloween.

DECOR

Petrifying planters 

One of this season’s hottest trends is adding a spooky vibe to your #plantparent game. Etsy shoppers are increasingly searching for Halloween twists on their everyday planters, with searches for ghost planters up 137%, monster planters up 60%, and skull planters up 10% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). As a plant mom myself, I’m particularly loving this functional trend that is equal parts creepy-crawly and chic. 

Retro-ween  

As we’ve seen throughout 2019, shoppers are craving nostalgia and that sentiment is extending to Halloween. Searches on Etsy for vintage Halloween decor has increased by 35% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year), telling us that shoppers are taking walks down memory lane and remember the Halloweens of their childhoods.  

Creepy candles

Not ready to go knee-deep in seasonal decor? Add a few spooky candles around the home for a quick nod to the holiday. On Etsy, searches for Halloween candles have increased 11% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year).  Add these on top of an existing stack of books, or on the coffee table for an instant pop of playful horror.

Door decor 

Shoppers are getting ready to set the tone for party guests and wow trick-or-treaters with Halloween-ready front doors. Searches on Etsy for Halloween door decor have already popped 12% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year), so I have a feeling front doors are about to get a little spookier. I love these googly-eyed monster wreaths and these modern sleek and chic raven themes for all style preferences.   

COSTUMES 

Dressed-up dogs

On Etsy, there are thousands of dog costumes for shoppers to choose from – and, in fact, searches for dog costumes are up 8% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). From dinosaurs to unicorns, there’s nothing cuter than a pup in costume (not to mention a perfect instagram-worthy pic.) Pro tip: check out the video below for more pet costume ideas.

Alien invasion 

With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, all eyes are on outer space this year. So it’s no surprise that we’re seeing increased interest in getting extraterrestrial this Halloween, with searches on Etsy for alien costumes spiking 37% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year).  Since we don’t really know what aliens look like (yet), this trend is all about letting your imagination run wild and expressing your inner Mars-dweller.

Big cats (and little cubs)

Perhaps a  recent movie revival is to thank for the rise in popularity of this trend, but on Etsy, searches for lion costumes have increased 14% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year). And this trend isn’t just reserved for kids: Etsy sellers are creating versions for pets, adults, and kiddos alike in styles ranging from cartoon-inspired to completely realistic. 

Statement-making masks 

Masks may have a reputation for being the easiest (read: least amount of work) costume, but these designs are anything but simple. Etsy sellers are reinventing the classic Halloween mask with unexpected textures and unique shapes. Shoppers are already getting on the trend, with searches on Etsy for masks up 23% in the last three months (compared to the same time last year).