Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble. Something tells me you’re looking for something wickedly fantastic to check your DIY Halloween box – something spooky, sophisticated, and illuminated – but also, on the real, you need budget-friendly, because no one should have to choose between decorating and food.
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In Macbeth, the three witches represented chaos, deception, and supernatural forces that blurred the line between reality and illusion. They cast spells through prophecy, testing mortals with visions of what could be – manipulating desire, ambition, and fate itself.
Today’s three witches? Wayfair. Pottery Barn. Birch Lane.
They gather around the cauldron of late-stage capitalism, stirring up $400 Halloween decorations and whispering prophecies of “Instagram-worthy perfection.” Their spell? Convincing you that expensive = elevated. That Pinterest-perfect means Pottery Barn prices. That your front porch isn’t worthy unless you’ve sacrificed your grocery budget to Big Halloween Decor.
But what if it’s all an illusion?
What if the “best” Halloween decorations aren’t the ones that cost $400, but the ones you create for $15 with trash bags, thrift store finds, and a little therapeutic rage-tearing?
These DIY Halloween decorations cost me less than a mediocre lunch. They’re the same tomato cage base as my viral ghost tutorial, but this time, we’re going full Macbeth with three witches, a glowing cauldron, and a Shakespeare quote painted on a thrift store chalkboard.
And here’s the real magic: These witches work three seasons. October? Witches. September? Ghosts. December? Remove the hats, swap black for white, and boom – angels are among us.
Multi-season. Budget-friendly. Pinterest-worthy without the Pottery Barn price tag.
The corporations cast their spell. But you? You see through it.
Let’s get bewitching.
The Problem: Halloween Decor Shouldn’t Cost More Than Rent
Let me paint you a picture of late-stage capitalism at its finest:
- Wayfair’s set of 3 witches: $399.99 (plus shipping)
- Pottery Barn’s witch collection: $300+ (for ONE)
- Birch Lane’s “artisan” witches: $300+ (plus $50 shipping because why not)
Hard pass.
The Solution: $15 Witches That Work 3 Seasons
Here’s what Shakespeare’s Macbeth taught us: Three witches stirring a cauldron is iconic. What Shakespeare DIDN’T teach us: You can recreate that scene for the cost of a mediocre lunch.
Total cost for 3 witches + glowing cauldron setup: Less than $15
Seasons of use: 3
- October: Witches
- September (if you’re extra): Ghosts
- December: Angels
Return on investment: Priceless
What You Need (Materials List)
For the witches themselves:
- 3 tomato cages (I got mine at Dollar Tree on sale for $1.25 each, or use the ones from your garden)
- 3 foam balls, soccer balls, or small pumpkins for heads (thrift store, $1-2 each)
- 3-6 jumbo black trash bags per witch (Dollar Tree, pack of 10 for $1.25)
- Witch hats (Dollar Tree, thrift store, or Amazon – mine were $5 for 3)
- Black spray paint (optional, if your tomato cages aren’t already black)
- String lights (thrift store gold – I got mine for $2-3 total)
- Hot glue gun or duct tape
For the cauldron scene:
- Large metal bowl or cauldron-looking planter
- Orange/red string lights or LED flame lights (like these on Amazon)
- Black tulle or netting (optional, for extra spooky vibes)
- Palms, branches, or Dollar Tree halloween picks for staging
Total: $10-15 depending on what you already have
Step-by-Step: How to Make Pottery Barn Witch Dupes
Step 1: Build the Base (Same as the Ghosts)
If you’ve already made my tomato cage ghosts, you know the drill. If not, check out the full ghost tutorial here for detailed photos and instructions.
Quick version:
- Flip your tomato cage upside down (wide part on bottom)
- Attach your head (foam ball, soccer ball, or pumpkin) to the top using hot glue or by wedging it into the cage
- Optional: Spray paint everything black if your cages are silver/green
Step 2: The Rage-Tearing (AKA Costume Creation)
Here’s where the magic (and therapy) happens.
For each witch:
- Take 3-6 jumbo black trash bags
- Tear them into strips – and I mean TEAR. Don’t cut. Don’t be precious. Channel your frustration with inflated Halloween decor prices.
- Layer the torn bags over the tomato cage, starting at the head and draping down
- Secure with hot glue, tape, or just tuck them into the cage wires
- Add black tulle or netting between layers for texture (optional but witchy)
Pro tip: The more violently you tear the bags, the more authentic the tattered witch vibe. Ladies, this is empowered mom energy. This is what happens when a $400 decoration stands between you and Halloween nirvana.
Step 3: Add the Lights
Thread your thrift store string lights through the layers of trash bags. The lights should peek through, giving that eerie glow.
Color options:
- Yellow/white lights: Classic spooky
- Orange lights: Extra Halloween vibes
- Purple lights: Witchy perfection
Step 4: Hat Hair, Don’t Care
Pop a witch hat on each head. Secure with hot glue if needed.
Hat variation ideas:
- Classic pointy witch hats
- Wide-brimmed hats
- Mix and match for personality
Step 5: Stage the Scene
This is where it gets GOOD.
The Cauldron:
- Use a large metal bowl, old planter, or actual cauldron if you have one.
- Fill with orange/red LED flame lights or string lights.
- Add fake spider webs, branches, or Halloween picks around the edge.
- Optional: Add dry ice effect or a fog machine if you’re going for dramatic impact (or, full Macbeth)
Placement:
- Arrange your three witches around the cauldron
- Angle them like they’re having a secret meeting – I want to make them appear to be holding hands next year. You could do this using black tablecloths – and it would be super cute.
- Add ground fog, more lights, or tombstones if you want to go all out (My fog machine is loaned out, and I am getting another one.
Step 6: The “Double Double” Sign (Optional but Iconic)
Chalkboard sign for Shakespeare quote (I used a thrift store gold-framed board for $30, or use cardboard if you’re going full budget mode.)
Stencil, use a chalk pen or a sharpie and go full out.
Prop it near the cauldron. Shakespeare would be proud. Or horrified. Either way, it’s festive.
The Multi-Season Magic: Why These Are Better Than Store-Bought
Here’s what Pottery Barn won’t tell you: You can use these decorations THREE times a year.
September/October: Ghosts
- Remove the witch hats
- Use white or light-colored trash bags instead of black
- Keep the glowing lights
- Boom, viral tomato cage ghosts
October: Witches
- Add black bags and witch hats
- Orange or purple lights
- Cauldron scene
- Pure Halloween perfection
December: Angels
- Remove the hats again
- Use white trash bags or fabric
- Add gold/silver tinsel or garland
- Make halos from wire or pipe cleaners
- Christmas decor for $0 additional dollars
That’s three holidays for $15.
Try getting that ROI from Wayfair.
The Macbeth Connection (Because I’m Extra)
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble.”
In Macbeth, the three witches represent fate, prophecy, and chaos. They stir their cauldron and speak truths that make people uncomfortable. I get it.
In my yard, the three witches represent:
- Pattern recognition (seeing through inflated pricing)
- Bio-individuality (your Halloween decor should work for YOUR budget)
- Rebellion against diet culture… I mean, capitalism (okay fine, both)
The witches knew what they were doing. So do I. And now, so do you.
Final Cost Breakdown
Let’s do the math:
Store-bought witches:
- Wayfair set of 3: $399.99
- Pottery Barn individual: $300 each
- Your dignity after spending that much: Priceless (in the bad way)
DIY witches:
- Tomato cages: $3.75
- Heads: $3-6
- Trash bags: $2.50
- Witch hats: $5
- Lights: $2-3
- Cauldron bowl: $3 (thrift store)
- Total: $10-15
Savings: $385+
Bonus: Upper body workout from rage-tearing trash bags, multi-season use, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re smarter than Big Halloween Decor.
Ready to Create Your Own?
If you’re loving this budget-friendly, pattern-recognition approach to life, you might also love my Free Clean Eating Starter Guide – because seeing through BS isn’t just for Halloween decorations. It works for nutrition too.
Get 21 pages of meal plans, shopping lists, and real food basics that work as a foundation for any approach – keto, plant-based, or just trying to eat better without the confusion.
Download your free guide here →
Have you made DIY Halloween decorations? Drop a comment and let me know what you’ve created! And if you make these witches, tag me on social – I want to see your front yard covens! 🧙♀️✨
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