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Creepy Dollar Store Finds and How to Make Them Look Expensive

October 13, 2020 /

I am always impressed at what I can find at a dollar store.  I typically go there when I need to find theatre props for my kids shows on a strict budget or sometimes I will take the kids and give them $5 to spend and they always find something (or five) they like.  Typically candy or craft supplies. 

We have recently relocated to South Carolina and are living in a temporary house with 75% of our stuff in storage.  All my Halloween supplies are buried in a 25’ deep storage unit but my youngest LOVES to decorate for Halloween and is always asking to add more decorations. With everything in storage I didn’t want to spend a lot on new décor so I said we could look for some inexpensive ones at the dollar store.  We were able to find bones to bury in the front yard which she affectionately named Columbus (she wants to make her own headstone that will say “Rest In Pieces”), a web and giant fuzzy spider, and a skull candy bowl which we will transform into a smoking skull.

How to Make a Smoking Skull

Supplies:

  • Small diffuser like this one.
  • Scotch, painters or masking tape (small amount)
  • Drill and Drill bit or Dremel tool
  • Plastic skull candy bowl from the Dollar store or like this one.
  • Black gauze fabric (also from the dollar store) or like this.

Step 1:

Get out your diffuser and be sure it fits recessed into the skull you buy.  Also look at the size of the connection to the diffuser as you will need to drill a hole the same size.

Step 2:

Place two layers of Scotch tape or one layer of masking/ painter’s tape over the area you will drip a hole.  I recommend the back lower half of the skull in the center.

Step 3:

Prep your drill with the closest size drill bit you have to the hole size needed. 

Step 4:

Start to drill a hole through the tape very slowly so not to crack the skull.  Mine drill bit was smaller than what I really needed so I made several passes through the hole slowly drilling away at the sides to make the circle large enough to pass the cord through.

Step 5:

Once the hole is large enough remove the tape.  Feed the cord through the hole and pull long enough to plug into the diffuser while still on the counter next to the skull. Fill the diffuser with essential oils and water.  I recommend one of these fall diffuser mixes. (See this POST if you are interested in starting out with Essential Oils.)

Step 6:

Place the diffuser in the bottom of the skull while subsequently pulling the cord back through the hole you drilled.  Use paper towels to fill the bottom of the skull if you cannot get your diffuser to sit flat.

Step 7:

Start your diffuser and if it is color changing that could be even better! Place the black gauze over the top and adjust so a thin layer is over the opening where the steam comes out. If you are artistic your could also paint the skull to look more sinister.

I would love to hear any comments or questions! Happy Halloweening!