Crafty experts share their Halloween obsessions, favorite crafts, and why they love Halloween trees. The Crafty Lumberjacks, Dennis and Andrew, join host Marianne Canada to talk about their love of all things Halloween and how their mutual love of musical theatre inspires them to completely style their New York apartment for the creepy occasion. They give their best tips for having a Halloween party, why they always include a craft and their go-to festive cocktails. Andrew and Dennis share the inspiration behind their crafty ideas and where they come up with their best concepts before sharing some fun couples’ costume ideas. Then, Jennifer Perkins chats about her infamous Halloween trees and why they got shade from Andy Cohen. Jen talks about how her Halloween obsession started and where she sources and stores her decor. Jennifer reveals her favorite non-candy alternatives and fall traditions with her family.
Crafty experts share their Halloween obsessions, favorite crafts, and why they love Halloween trees. The Crafty Lumberjacks, Dennis and Andrew, join host Marianne Canada to talk about their love of all things Halloween and how their mutual love of musical theatre inspires them to completely style their New York apartment for the creepy occasion. They give their best tips for having a Halloween party, why they always include a craft and their go-to festive cocktails. Andrew and Dennis share the inspiration behind their crafty ideas and where they come up with their best concepts before sharing some fun couples’ costume ideas. Then, Jennifer Perkins chats about her infamous Halloween trees and why they got shade from Andy Cohen. Jen talks about how her Halloween obsession started and where she sources and stores her decor. Jennifer reveals her favorite non-candy alternatives and fall traditions with her family.
Connect with the podcast: https://www.hgtv.com/shows/hgtv-obsessed-podcast
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Watch The HGTV Handmade Haunted Hotel Home Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9odvTOfYTUQ
Follow Jennifer Perkins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferperkins/
Watch The HGTV Handmade Haunted Halloween Home Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAQk6i4wuRU&list=PLPBX4CwI7bw8pCAMyZmEGttNqNsfdJosI&index=26
Find episode transcript here: https://hgtv-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-trees-are-a-thing-heres-why-you-need-one
MARIANNE CANADA: Hello. And welcome to HGTV Obsessed. Your podcast for all things HGTV. I'm your host Marianne Canada. And today we are getting creepy and crafty for Halloween. That's right, it's finally October. And we have one of my favorite creative duos, Andrew and Dennis of the Crafty Lumberjacks, on to talk about their favorite fall crafts, and some really fun couples costume ideas.
Then we have another Halloween obsessed crafter and lifestyle writer Jen Perkins. She's talking all about the Halloween trees that garnered the attention and shade of Andy Cohen. And her favorite non-candy Halloween treats. This is a fun and festive episode. Dare I say full of tricks and treats? So let's get started with our Crafty Lumberjacks, Andrew and Dennis. Hi, guys.
ANDREW BOZA: Hi.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Hello.
MARIANNE CANADA: Andrew and Dennis, before we dive in, can you guys both introduce yourselves so everyone listening can try to tell you both apart.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Well, I'm Dennis Setteducati. I'm from Long Island, born and raised. Now living in Astoria, Queens, New York.
ANDREW BOZA: And I'm Andrew Boza. Born and raised right outside of DC, in Maryland.
MARIANNE CANADA: I like it. I like that we're getting a little of your origin story in there. But speaking of which, I've known you guys for years. We have worked together on HGTV handmade so many times. I feel like we're family. But for those who maybe aren't as well versed in the Crafty Lumberjack's origin story, can you give us a little your elevator pitch.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Well, we're both known as the Crafty Lumberjacks. We met on the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. We didn't know each other. We met there. We traveled the country and Canada for about two years.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes, and in that time we realized that we both had a mutual love of crafting. You know, Dennis' mom was a crafter growing up, my mom did crafts as well. So we just kind of gravitated towards that when we started getting to know each other. And then we started making crafts for the people in the cast because we were there for a lot of holidays, like Valentine's Day, and stuff like that. So we just wanted to make things special.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes, and then actually our cast members were the ones who encouraged us to create a blog. So we started-- after the tour we said, this will be a great way to keep in touch with our cast members and the people that we've met along the way. So we decided to start a blog.
And the name Crafty Lumberjacks developed because we had to grow out long beards, because it was Fiddler on the Roof, you can't shave. And, of course, we just wear flannel because men don't have too many options out there of clothing.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes, and we were in Vancouver, and this drunk guy kept cat calling us lumberjacks. We're walking to the theater, we had like a five show weekend or something like that, and we were just walking back and forth. And this guy was just like, lumberjacks, lumberjacks. I'm like, oh my gosh. And then we were thinking of our blog name, and Dennis said it as a joke.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes.
ANDREW BOZA: And, I mean, we didn't think this would stick with us 10 years later, but--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Here we are.
ANDREW BOZA: Here we are.
MARIANNE CANADA: I just love that story so much. I love the idea of two craft loving people meeting on a Broadway tour. How much does your love and background in theater have a role in your love of essentially propping out your home? I mean, you guys go in hard for the holidays.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes, we do. I mean, theater was our first love. You know, so everything that we do has that base of a theatrical dramatic full on event, you know.
ANDREW BOZA: And Marianne, you know just when you're involved with the theater, if you're an actor, you're not just acting. You oftentimes-- especially when you grow up in the theater, you are making props, you're helping backstage, or you're doing--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Dosettes, yea.
ANDREW BOZA: So we kind of grew up doing all this stuff. And then you're not in a theater, you just make your home a theater, basically.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes.
ANDREW BOZA: So our one tip, though, is like people always ask us, oh, how do you make your home so dramatic and stuff? With theater, especially like lighting is key. And we say, when you're decorating at home, think that way to bring in that lighting. Once you've fixed your lighting, everything changes. So we always try to remember that.
MARIANNE CANADA: It's so inspiring to me because I definitely-- even though I am a crafty person-- and, yes, you've outed me as also having a theater background-- you guys really bring it up to another level in your apartment.
And, in fact, you did a handmade Halloween home tour a couple of years ago for HGTV, complete with this incredible haunted hallway. You had a Halloween tree, a laboratory lavatory. I love the way you guys managed to make the most of a small space. You live in New York, you have a small apartment. So I have to ask, what's in store for this year?
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Oh, gosh. Well, we definitely have scaled back this year. Because we used to have these huge epic Halloween parties, and also a large Christmas party, but, of course, with COVID we don't have that anymore. So now we're just essentially decorating for us and our cat.
ANDREW BOZA: Yeah, so we're not doing a crazy hallway this year. We didn't do one last year either, which is a bummer. But sometimes I look back I'm like, wow, we did all of that? But being in a small space, we really-- since we craft so many of our things, we try to think of themes. And year after year we repurpose our crafts.
So a lot of times we're like, what are we going to do with this? So we try to just combine like things and put it in one area. So it's more cohesive, and there are little vignettes. And that's kind of how we try to decorate our space. Before we pull everything out we're like, OK, what should we do over here? So this year our laboratory is all by our craft station over here instead of in the bathroom.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yeah, so we like to move things around just to make it seem fresh and new. And, definitely, we will be doing a Halloween tree this year. This is our fifth year of doing it, and it's something that we've grown to love. And we're actually planning on creating all year long, and thinking about it. So it's become just a new tradition for us.
MARIANNE CANADA: Yes, we're taught later in this very same episode, we're talking to Jen Perkins about her Halloween tree and her little-- We're going to talk a little bit about her accidental online fight with Andy Cohen about his big feelings about Halloween trees. Who knew?
ANDREW BOZA: You're harsh. I mean, she is like the OG Halloween tree queen.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes.
ANDREW BOZA: We've been doing it for a while but she has been doing it forever. She's incredible.
MARIANNE CANADA: I know. My dream one day is to just get you guys together, and set you loose decorating an entire house.
ANDREW BOZA: We really want to meet her.
MARIANNE CANADA: So you mentioned you're not throwing a Halloween party this year, which is a bummer. I think a lot of people are probably in the same boat or are thinking about different ways to celebrate outdoors, or something like that. But you guys are such amazing hosts. So I still would love just a few of your tips on what makes a fun Halloween party.
ANDREW BOZA: Gosh, yes. We are a little bummed this year. We might host like very small gatherings. But if you're doing something big or small, we always like to think of having activities. Dennis always jokes, we don't have a dog and since our cat always hides under the bed like--
When you have a dog at a party, it just becomes a social event. So if you're a little uncomfortable around people, you always look for the dog. But since we don't have a dog, we always like to keep people busy. So we will have--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Different activities in different stations around our apartment. So we'll do a Halloween trivia, like a game that people can have on a piece of paper with different multiple choice answers.
And then usually midway throughout our event-- oh, we always have a signature cocktail too. That's always a great tip. We also like to, since we're the Crafty Lumberjacks, we actually provide a craft that people can either make at the party or take it home with them, and make it after the event.
ANDREW BOZA: Yeah, and the thing is we did that once and then people just kept expecting it. So now when they come they're like, well, where's my craft? I keep them up every year, I put them on the fridge. So I need my annual craft. But just having something for people to do is always a great idea. It does it have to be communal, it can be something for people to do in their own groups or whatever.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yeah, but it's also really a great time where people can have their own little icebreaker if they don't know the other humans at the party. They can all kind of craft and have an event together, share what they're making, show off their little project. And it really helps a lot of our friends from different circles of life come together.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes, and we don't do this for our Halloween party, but we sometimes have hired a Santa for our Christmas parties. Now, Dennis found da Santa on Craigslist. And he has a real beard, so you know it's legit. He always comes a little intoxicated.
MARIANNE CANADA: Authentic.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes, it's a busy time for him. Whatever gets you through.
ANDREW BOZA: We have not been able to find a Halloween alternative.
MARIANNE CANADA: That's so fun. And, I mean, I know you're both vegan as well. So do you have any favorite vegan Halloween treats? Or you're also known for your cocktails.
ANDREW BOZA: Everything could be veganized basically now. But I will say what I have not found is a vegan candy corn. I'm always looking. They're like, oh, you can make some from scratch. I'm like, I'm not going to do that. But for cocktails we always gravitate towards whiskey, and we always like something with like cinnamon. Throw those pumpkin spices and maybe add some, I don't, apple cider. People always love that, including ourselves.
MARIANNE CANADA: Yeah, something warm. Oh, I'm with-- homemade candy corn is my limit. Like, I will make a lot of things from scratch, but not candy corn. Well, I know you guys have already been posting a lot of great Halloween crafts on your Instagram and on your blog this season.
Where do you guys get your inspiration for new ideas? Because that is something I always really admire about you both is you're never really one to just take someone else's idea and rehash it. You guys come up with the most original crafts every year.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Well, thank you. I mean, we're so inspired by our community and our neighborhood. We live in Queens, Astoria, Queens, New York, which is actually the most diverse area in the world. So we're constantly inspired by our neighbors, people we see on the street, different storefronts.
ANDREW BOZA: Yeah, but I will say, just as a creator in general, it's getting harder and harder to think of original content just because so many people are creating now, which is wonderful. And there are so many great ideas. Sometimes we will get stuck because we'll see something we're like, why didn't we think of that? And then it's really hard to peel away from that. But--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: We're also the type of people that will binge watch a show. And we're not just watching the actors, we look at the set and the scenery behind them and say, oh wait, look at that little thing on the table. That's so cute. I have a great way to elaborate off of that idea. And then, of course, we come up with our best ideas in the shower. When you're tuned out, you're just kind of relaxing, and then some of those great ideas hit us in the shower.
ANDREW BOZA: That's true, that's very true.
MARIANNE CANADA: Hey, you got to take that inspiration where you can. Speaking of inspiration, another fun Crafty Lumberjack's signature, I would say, is great couples costumes. So you guys have come up with some really funny ones over the years. So I would love you to just share some fun couple costume ideas. And maybe let us know if you're dressing up this year.
ANDREW BOZA: Oh, gosh. Well, yeah, we have had a lot of fun with our couples costumes. Our first one was Mario and Luigi. Of course I was Luigi, Dennis was Mario.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Mario.
ANDREW BOZA: I know, he says Mario, I don't know.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: We've done the sticky bandits, which is one of our most iconic one from Home Alone. We've also done '90s Bugs and Taz.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes, when we're thinking about our couples costumes-- because a lot of people ask us, how do I find a couples costume? We always try to think of our height difference, that's really sets us apart. So we're like the tall and the small is what we call ourselves. And so we've thought of-- we have not done these yet but we've thought of Bert and Ernie, Pinky and the Brain is one that we want to do. One that's been on our--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Jay and Silent Bob. That'll be a good one.
MARIANNE CANADA: Oh, yeah.
ANDREW BOZA: One that's on our list now is Misery. And it's been there for years, we just have not pulled it off yet. But, you know, Kathy Bates and, I don't know--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: The other guy.
MARIANNE CANADA: That's a very dark turn for you guys. I also can't help but remember fondly the very first time we worked together. You guys did a tortoise and the hare couples costume, and it was so cute. But we will have to put a picture of you guys as the sticky bandits from Home Alone in the show notes at hgtv.com/podcast because I don't think you guys can top that one. It was so good.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: It's pretty iconic, you know. And we actually re-used the costume, and we'll still win prizes and things. And we feel a little guilty because we're like, well, we've already kind of done this, but what works, works.
MARIANNE CANADA: Hey, yeah, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Now what about Teddy Krueger, your cat. Does he like to dress up? I have a feeling-- I don't know any cats that like to dress up.
ANDREW BOZA: No, I don't know any cats that like to dress up either. And actually we did a video a couple of years ago on handmade. We did three different Halloween costumes for Teddy. And, Marianne, you weren't there for that one but it was just a disaster shooting.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: A drama.
ANDREW BOZA: I mean, Grayson did a great job. No, it was our fault. I mean, we thought it'd be great. But we ended up having to put this tuna spread all over the props just so he would go near them. It was just--
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: And we're such helicopter parents when it comes to our cat. So as soon as we put something on him and we could tell he doesn't like it, we're like, oh no, get it off, get it off.
MARIANNE CANADA: I think that's good. Sometimes I feel there are dogs, I think, they think it's fun. But in general sometimes I just have to feel a little bad for the pets getting all dressed up. They're not into it.
I mean, obviously today we're talking a lot about Halloween, but I know you guys decorate for a lot of holidays. And, of course, you live in New York, you have a decently sized apartment for New York. But it is still very petite, not a lot of storage. So I just have to ask, like, how do you store all of these stuff?
ANDREW BOZA: Well, we really only have three closets. And one is dedicated to clothes, one's to coats, and then the other one we call our occasions closet, which is like all our favorite things that we just can't put in storage.
But we do have a storage unit. And we're lucky enough to live close enough to Dennis's mom's house where we saw a lot of stuff in her basement. Like, our big stuff. So we have three different Halloween trees. And, I know, boy. And so like they stay at Dennis's mom's. And it just gets more and more.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes, and just every time we go-- we'll start bringing things over in July. So every time we go we'll load the car a little bit, bring cribs bins one trip, then the next week we'll bring another two bins. And it just kind of keeps going.
ANDREW BOZA: But we will say we spend more time trying to shuffle our stuff and just figure out how to get it into the apartment than actually decorating. So it's a goal to find a home with a basement or some sort of attic space or something.
MARIANNE CANADA: You got to have somewhere to put all of those trees. That's a very-- your mother is very sweet and very patient to support all of your extra trees.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes, we feel very lucky.
MARIANNE CANADA: Well, before we let you guys go, we love a good rapid fire moment. So we thought we'd do a little Halloween rapid fire with the two of you. Are you ready?
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes.
MARIANNE CANADA: Favorite Halloween movie.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Oh, my gosh. I love Monster Squad.
ANDREW BOZA: I love Beetlejuice.
MARIANNE CANADA: Oh, that is a good one. I have already outed myself as loving the Nightmare Before Christmas because it works straight through to Christmas. I love a movie with longevity. OK, favorite creepy character, whether it's just a generic or a specific spooky character.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Oh, I've been thinking a lot about the Wolfman lately.
ANDREW BOZA: Excuse me. I always gravitate towards like a skeleton. We decorate a lot with skeletons, so I always love just a skeleton. They're so versatile.
MARIANNE CANADA: Yes, you guys. I see at least three or four behind you, as we're talking. What is your favorite thing about Halloween in New York?
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Just that Halloween is celebrated all year because there are so many wild characters walking around the streets of New York always.
MARIANNE CANADA: If you could write a Halloween musical, what would it be called?
ANDREW BOZA: OK, we talked a lot about this. And we thought Elvira Mistress of The Dark. Have you ever seen that movie? That needs to be tied to a musical, and Elvira needs to be on Broadway.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Get her on Broadway.
ANDREW BOZA: Yes.
MARIANNE CANADA: You guys, I really actually need you to make this happen. The most underrated Halloween candy.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: I always liked bottle caps as a kid. That was kind of the can-- I didn't do chocolate or anything, so I would say bottle caps.
ANDREW BOZA: I'm not a huge candy person but I always liked good and plenty.
MARIANNE CANADA: Well, there's always one. I'm with you on bottle caps, though. The root beer flavor is delicious. My daughter's first birthday had a soda pop theme. And we gave bottle caps as the party favors. Just a little fun fact. OK, and lastly before we leave you. Your favorite cozy fall activities.
ANDREW BOZA: Oh my gosh. You know, I love cooking. I love cooking this time of year. I feel like there's just something so comforting about fall foods.
DENNIS SETTEDUCATI: Yes, and I love day drinking. So like a winery out on Long Island, all the leaves are changing. I'm not drenched in sweat. And I could just enjoy the surroundings, and just have a good time.
MARIANNE CANADA: I mean, honestly, put your hands together. Day drinking and cooking, that sounds like a solid weekend. Well, Andrew and Dennis, I just love you guys so much. And I'm so glad we finally got to talk to you.
ANDREW BOZA: Thank you for having us. This is a blast.
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MARIANNE CANADA: It's no secret, if you've been listening for a while, that I am not the biggest fan of fall. But I've been trying to embrace it. And I will say, I love Halloween. This is really making me wonder if I can throw together a last minute Halloween party of my very own. Anyway, next up we're talking to Jen Perkins. And she is dishing about her kitschy creepy Halloween home in Austin. And some of her favorite places to source Halloween decor. Here's our chat.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hi, Jen Perkins.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Hello.
MARIANNE CANADA: Jen, I'm so excited to have you on today to talk about really kicking off the Halloween season, because you are one of the people in my life that embodies Halloween to me. You know, I know that you describe your style as colorful and kitschy and crafty.
And for anyone who isn't familiar with Jen's personal style of Halloween decorating, we will definitely share her Halloween home tour. But I'd love for you to chat a little bit about some of maybe the more unexpected items or design choices that we might find in your home this time of year.
JENNIFER PERKINS: I try to go for unexpected year round. But it probably especially flares up at Halloween. You know, I find with Halloween, a lot of times you kind of have to go with unexpected for the looks that I like. When I was younger and I was into making jewelry or whatever craft. And a of times I can't roll it to the store and find what I'm looking for so I kind of have to think outside the Halloween box.
And I like to say that I start to see the world through pumpkin orange colored glasses. So it's like, if you look at something long enough, you can start to think of, how could that work in like a Halloween vignette.
I mean, obviously like I collect lots of vintage medical models or orange slag glass or Black candy jars. Just kind of weird stuff like that that on its own might not scream Halloween or vintage cameras. But like altogether you're like, wow. One vintage camera, not creepy, 20 vintage cameras--
MARIANNE CANADA: Now you're talking.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Exactly. Anything in bulk you can make it creepy.
MARIANNE CANADA: It's so true. Well, and you don't just decorate your house, you are a big advocate for Halloween trees. Actually, you're a big advocate for holiday trees in general, throughout the year. But I know that your own personal Halloween tree got some heat or hate from Andy Cohen. I just want you to talk through this with us, because as someone who knows you, it was really an experience to watch it unfold.
JENNIFER PERKINS: It was hilarious because I was like, all of a sudden one night my Instagram messages started like popping off. And I was like, what is happening? You know, sometimes around this time of year someone will feature me, like HGTV, and all of a sudden it's like where are these new people coming from?
But I open it and all these people were like your candy corn tree was on Bravo. Andy was talking about it on the Bravo Clubhouse. And I was like, what? Like, all excited. And then finally someone who I'd never met had taken a video on her phone and sent it to me. And I was like, oh snap. He wasn't saying nice things about my tree.
I mean, I forget what he calls it. He, like, the ding dong of the week or something. I mean, he wasn't bad. It's not like I cried myself to sleep. I'm a large proponent of, as long as they spell your name right, it doesn't matter what they say about you. Though I will say for the record, he did not credit me or my photo.
But I did take it as a compliment, that that many people recognized it as my tree and knew to reach out to me. I guess there's not a lot of candy corn colored trees out there in the world, so people know it was me. And then he did it again at the New Year's Eve thing with Anderson Cooper on CNN. I was like, he's even dragging Anderson in on this.
MARIANNE CANADA: But you got to get a photo credit. You got to tag the artist.
JENNIFER PERKINS: I know. Well, one day he's going to come to his senses and he's going to come have me do a Halloween tree in the Bravo Clubhouse. And I'm going to be there for it, it's OK. We'll kiss and make up, and it'll be fine.
MARIANNE CANADA: We're just going to put that out into the universe. I'm here for it. I do have to ask you, though, when did you get the idea to start decorating a Halloween tree? And how have they evolved over the years? Because it's never the same tree every year.
JENNIFER PERKINS: You know, I was thinking about it, and I guess it was probably about the same time I had my daughter. Because then when she was little, that's when I started having a big Halloween party. And so I started decorating for that. And I remember it was like a little silver aluminum tree that I was like, oh, this kind of matches with the Black and white skeleton theme.
And then I realize a tree is like a good way to display small collectibles. Because a lot of vintage Halloween collectibles are like those little noisemakers or little package like '70s and the '80s wax crayons that you would use to paint your face, or whatever. And those are hard to display unless you have a shelf full of curios.
I just realized that trees were a great way to display collections, whether it be your 20 creepy cameras. So it started with that one tree, and then ever after, then it kind of got more. And then a company reached out to me and sent me like the candy corn tree. And then from there I was just like, what trees come in all colors, shapes, and sizes? You could have one but why when you could have 100.
MARIANNE CANADA: I mean, I can only imagine what your storage situation looks like. I'm picturing kind of a room of requirement type situation, that's just filled with decor for every holiday.
JENNIFER PERKINS: I tell people I have two attics. The double whammy is in Texas. I can't put things like pink trees or white trees up in the attic because they'll yellow. So I have my blacks and my dark greens up in the attic.
And my husband works from home and his office has a closet, but it's like a clown car. If you open it, it's an avalanche of fake trees. It takes like two people to close it. It's Jack in the box of like trees coming out. So it's just kind of dangerous but it works.
MARIANNE CANADA: You got to put it somewhere. When you're decorating for Halloween, do you tend to lean more cutesy or more creepy? That's a constant conversation at HGTV, like the line between scary Halloween and cute Halloween.
JENNIFER PERKINS: I definitely skew cute, probably because, like I said, I kind of got started on this kick of Halloween obsession from having a children's party. So it always kind of had to be kid friendly. And my kids are still 10 and 12. And then I have 6 and 8-year-old nephews who are at my house constantly. So I can't have anything too scary.
Plus, honestly, I just don't-- aesthetically I just don't vibe with severed hands and-- you know what I mean? That's just not my look because let's be real, those colors they're not bright enough. In case you create fake blood, is not in my other wheelhouse so I have to go beyond that.
MARIANNE CANADA: Fake blood is not in my color wheelhouse. I think that's like our poll quote for the episode. You clearly have a real eye for these collections, like you mentioned. So where do you source most of your Halloween items? Say someone is starting from scratch and wants to build their Halloween decor stash, where should they start?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I am never going to turn my nose up to Target. Lots of big-box stores have cute stuff. I love vintage stuff, so I go to a lot of flea markets, a lot of thrift stores, spend a lot of time combing those aisles.
The thing about vintage Halloween, unlike say vintage Christmas where it was mass produced, Halloween just wasn't. It was produced back then so it can be harder to find vintage Halloween, like those masks that I have or the papier mache pumpkins.
So if you want vintage in your collection, you got to put in a little more time and effort. There's eBay or Etsy, but I'm one of those people that I feel like that's like shooting fish in a barrel.
MARIANNE CANADA: Right, you like the challenge.
JENNIFER PERKINS: I do. And I need to see it and look at it. So, I mean, think of it like in baby steps. Like, Halloween collection was not born in a day. Mine has been accrued over several years, and it's always growing.
MARIANNE CANADA: So fun. Not only are you a great place for inspiration for decorating, but your blog is like a treasure trove of Halloween crafts and content. So if you could encourage us to try one of your crafts for this time of year, what would it be?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I'm always really partial to the ones where it's either for kids or the kids could get involved in. Really, truly, one of my favorites is-- and you and I just worked together on a remake of it-- just redid the little monster play tent for kids. And I love that one. But I got to tell you the OG, the like little witch tent I did, I really loved that witch tent. I thought it came out really cute.
I mean, little kids love a pop up tent. And for me, like, when I would have the Halloween party, I would always put that out, and the little kids would always gravitate to it.
MARIANNE CANADA: Kids love a tent. It's so true. And, yes, Jen just did a bunch of Halloween crafts for hgtv.com. And so we'll make sure that we link to that in the show notes because there's some really fun stuff. And what I also love is so much of it as upcycled from household items. It's very approachable and very affordable.
Now I want to pivot. I want to pivot a little bit towards the candy side of things, because I know that you have children with allergies and so you have a lot of great ideas for non-candy alternatives for trick or treating. Can you share a few of those ideas?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I'm always a big proponent on things like, you can go to a store and you can buy little bubbles or little monster fingers, all the little spider rings, all those kinds of things. Those are good. But I have some things that I've made. You could do little single serve like Halloween slimes, I've made chop fingers. Glow-in-the-dark chocolate fingers all you need is like glitter paint, plaster of Paris, some of those things too.
And candy, let's say if you give out like chalk or crayons, like I like to encourage crafts not candy was my motto for a long time. The kids will enjoy that and use that more than they will that candy that they're going to eat. Or in my case a lot of times I'm going to sneak and eat in the middle of the night. I don't do those candy. So please God give my children chalk so I don't eat all their candy in the night.
MARIANNE CANADA: I think we've all been there, for sure. And let's say that maybe a family has decided not to trick or treat this year, for various reasons. Do you have any other fun activity ideas they could do together to get in the Halloween spirit?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I mean, there's always watch a movie. I think-- I know if you already watched movies all the time, that's great. But if you can somehow, we get to watch it outside. I swear, you could watch a movie you've seen a gazillion times but somehow if you take the movie party out into the backyard, that movie becomes 20 times more entertaining to your children. Cooking together, bake some, I don't know, something Halloweeny like a treat or a pumpkin soup or something, there's all kinds of stuff.
MARIANNE CANADA: So fun I've been feeling nostalgic for the old school haunted house, you know, peeled eyeballs or a bowl of spaghetti. And I feel like that would be right up my eight year old's alley.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Oh my gosh, I remember I had a birthday party as a child and my mom did that. Because I'm a Libra so I had an October birthday. So my mom I can remember taking this one by one into the kitchen blindfolded and doing all that, I loved it like. I still remember that birthday, so.
MARIANNE CANADA: Well, before we let you go, we thought it would be fun to do a little Halloween rapid fire with you. So are you up for the challenge?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I'm always up for the challenge.
MARIANNE CANADA: All right. What is your favorite Halloween movie?
JENNIFER PERKINS: Probably Poltergeist is my favorite. It's a good one, it's a classic.
MARIANNE CANADA: My gosh, that deeply scarred me as a child. I may not be ready to revisit it. What about favorite Halloween treat.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Favorite Halloween treat. Gosh, you know, I love those-- I'm sure you've seen over Pinterest those little creepy shortbread, like witch fingers, and they put like an almond slivers as a fingernail. Tasty.
MARIANNE CANADA: Love a good butter cookie, right? All right, let's talk pumpkins. Do you carve a fresh pumpkin or are you more into the foam funkins?
JENNIFER PERKINS: I am team both because I love the faux pumpkins because I can use them again and again. And I have been known to-- my poor kids like they painted their own little funkins last year. Well, I've repainted those suckers and repurposed them this year. But my kids also do love the real pumpkin, the experience of the real pumpkin so we do both.
MARIANNE CANADA: I'm not a huge fan of carving pumpkins, but you just have to do at least one.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Cause it never comes out how you want it. It's slimy and it's messy. And the kids quit in five minutes, and then I'm left with it.
MARIANNE CANADA: I started outsourcing it to my husband. I was like, you know what? I do all this other stuff, you can carve this pumpkin. All right, well, what was the first Halloween costume you ever wore?
JENNIFER PERKINS: You know, I think I have a picture of it, I think I was wondering woman. I wore a little felt Wonder woman outfit. It's the first one I can remember, the first one I have a picture of.
MARIANNE CANADA: Yes. And do you believe in ghosts?
JENNIFER PERKINS: You know, I don't not believe in ghosts, but it's not anything-- I grew up in like 120-year-old house so I probably had to stay in a constant state of denial so that I could actually go to sleep at night.
MARIANNE CANADA: All right, and lastly, candy corn. That is the question.
JEN PERKINS: Yes, always candy corn. And you have to eat it like the tip of the triangle, in the middle of the triangle, then the last piece. You have to eat it in three bites.
MARIANNE CANADA: See, I knew we were kindred spirits. Jen, this was so much fun. And everyone, really, you should go check out all of Jen's craft videos. We'll put everything in the show notes. But thank you so much. We'll have to have you come back on to talk about the next thing that you anger Andy Cohen over.
JENNIFER PERKINS: Keep you posted.
MARIANNE CANADA: Valentine trees, Easter trees, let's keep going. Thank you for listening to our crafty Halloween episode. I want to give a special thanks to my buddies Andrew and Dennis, a.k.a. the Crafty Lumberjacks for joining us. You can find them on Instagram @CraftyLumberjacks, and watch their Halloween handmade home tour on hgtv.com.
And another thanks to the queen of Halloween, Jennifer Perkins, who you can find @JenniferPerkins for her fun Halloween tips and tricks. You can catch her kitschy Austin, Texas home tour on hgtv.com as well.
You can learn even more about all of our guests by checking out our show notes at hgtv.com/podcast. And as usual, if you love today's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to rate and review HGTV Obsessed. Don't forget to follow HGTV obsessed wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. And I'll see you next Thursday.