For quite awhile now I’ve wanted to create an appetizer bar that gives off a spooky, witchy vibe! Literally years. It’s kind of funny to me how long it actually takes for a holiday idea to come to fruition. But this one was well worth the wait. The best part is that even if you’re on a budget, this is nothing that can’t be solved with a quick Dollar Store Halloween crafts run! Without further ado, here’s how I put together this DIY Dollar Store Spooky Halloween Appetizer Bar! It only cost me $16. Because it’s made out of Dollar Store Halloween crafts. That’s it, and I’m pretty jazzed about how it turned out!

After pouring over photos of styled, gourmet and classic family dishes I had an epiphany. You see, food is just food. It’s absolutely lovely! I love all food. But what actually makes one version of food seem more special? Presentation.

This has had an impact upon food for A LONG TIME. After Netflixing several episodes of Lords and Ladles it became very apparent to me. Presentation is the same reason that they will skin a peacock, cook the meat and then actually mount the plumage and feathers on top at the dinner table. Because it showed status and was exotic.

It’s the same reason why taffy (which isn’t anything wildly exciting) can be found in a 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Chicago. Because it’s been stretched and filled with helium, creating a balloon!

And it’s also the same thinking why food photographed in low-light may give off a spooky vibe. Presentation is the reason that companies may paint burger patties appearing in a commercial with shoe polish. Or why food presented next to fresh blooms and a ceramic rabbit makes it seem like the perfect Easter dish.

You may think that you need to invest a lot of money to achieve an enticing presentation, but you’re wrong. These Dollar Store Halloween crafts will certainly do the trick.

DIY Dollar Store Spooky Halloween Appetizer Bar

This was my attempt at utilizing spooky lighting, props and appropriate Halloween appetizer recipes to create this DIY Dollar Store Spooky Halloween Appetizer Bar. All on a budget!

Spooky Lighting

I don’t think you would go to a Halloween gala with stark, cool artificial light. Just like if you had the chance any wedding you attended would have up lights strategically placed throughout the banquet hall. It’s all about creating an atmosphere! So for me, I got rid of the natural light in the room so I could control the vibe. Then I lit a few candles. I chose two types of candle holders, both the grandest and a few modern graduated ones. I wanted to create a line of light across the Halloween Appetizer Bar. You can see the difference that lighting with a little ambiance makes when comparing this photo (with bright artificial lighting) to the candlelit version.

Building With Natural Textures

One of the first things I did to create a witch-y abandoned vibe was to scatter leaves around the table. Which didn’t even involve any Dollar Store Halloween Crafts. Seriously, the simplest hack known to man when it comes to Halloween decorating. Like they had just blown in! At only $1 a package, you could really buy as many as you wanted to scatter around your entire home. If you layered your furniture in sheets this would absolutely take me back to Jumanji’s scene right after they purchased the house.

I also dispersed moss around the table here and there to give it a woodsy feel!

Creepy Animal Props

I have always loved bats! In fact if you gave me the opportunity to bottle feed one at a rehab program, I would be all over it.

It’s kind of on my bucket list. So they were of course going to be utilized in this Halloween appetizer bar. I used a near translucent plastic string, much like fishing line. Then I tied the stretchy loop available from the rubber bats I found at the dollar store. I tied a loop at the other end and hung them on the light fixture at staggering heights. This seemed to look more natural.

I thought it would be cute to include a plastic rat ‘holding’ the Gouda. I also used two more rats in the background trailing behind to make it appear that they were actively walking up to the table.

DIY Cauldron Centerpiece

I wanted the table to look full, so I made this bewitched glimmering cauldron for just $3! You can read more about how to make it here.

Choosing & Plating Halloween Appetizers

Appropriate Halloween Appetizers

Creepy Cheese Platter

So basically I knew that I wanted a cheese platter with dark colors. So I chose the darker concord grapes! I also wanted to have a cheese platter that was diverse but also – featured MOLD! I utilized blue cheese to achieve this. I also purchased a Gouda cheese wheel and Parmesan cheese block.I also chose to utilize raisins to create what looked like bugs climbing up onto the cheese board building into a swarm.

Pumpkin Spice Candied Walnut Brains

I wanted an appetizer that looked brain-y, so I adapted a candied walnut recipe to create these pumpkin spice candied walnut brains! I thought it was an easy and classy appetizer that fit the ambiance I was striving for.

Bewitched Green Chile Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

I agree the foods which have a green color are naturally more spooky. I also wanted a haunted woods feel, so these Bewitched Green Chile Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms were perfect! You can find the recipe here.

Antique-y Looking Dollar Store Platters

I have always loved these Dollar Store Platters. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I used them in my wedding a few years ago. These are also some of my go-to platters for entertaining in general. I like the fact that they look like silver. The fact that they’re only a dollar – that makes them even better!

How are you doing your appetizer bar this year? In my opinion, frankly the more Dollar Store Halloween crafts the better.

Thanks for reading!

Lauren