Let’s be real: you’re not just here to make cute Halloween decor. You’re here to sell it. To turn your love of wood, paint, and power tools into a seasonal income that makes your bank account—and your inner creative—do a happy dance.
But here’s the frustration: Halloween is a goldmine for handmade sellers… if you know what to make. Too many crafters waste time on projects that look great but don’t move off the shelf. Or worse—they underprice, overwork, and burn out before October even hits.
That’s where this guide comes in.
We’ve curated 25 proven, best-selling Halloween wood crafts—the exact items flying off Etsy shelves and craft fair tables every spooky season. Not just “cute ideas.” Real, profitable, high-demand products with strategic insights on design, pricing, and marketing to help you dominate the market.
Whether you’re carving your first pumpkin-shaped plaque or scaling up for your 5th Halloween season, this is your playbook. We’ll walk you through high-impact porch signs, haunted home accents, wearable spooks, pumpkin innovations, cemetery scene-setters—and the business smarts to turn them into cold, hard cash.
Let’s turn your workshop into a haunted profit center. 🎃🪵
Eerie Entryway & Porch Decor — The First Impression
Your customer’s porch is their Halloween stage. Help them set the scene with these high-impact, high-margin bestsellers.
1. The Classic Reversible “Happy Halloween” / “Trick or Treat” Plaque
Two signs in one = double the value. Cut a 1×6 board, paint one side “Happy Halloween,” the other “Trick or Treat.” Add a jute hanger. Customers love the versatility—they can flip it mid-season or store it flat. Offer custom last names (“The [Smith]s”) for +$5–$10. Pro tip: Use chalk paint—it distresses beautifully for that rustic vibe.
2. Spooky Silhouette Porch Signs: Witches, Bats, and Black Cats
Simple shapes, massive impact. Use a jigsaw or laser cutter to create clean silhouettes of classic Halloween icons. Paint the background black or purple, leave the cut-out natural wood—or reverse it. These sell like crazy because they’re bold, easy to see from the street, and scream “Halloween!” without being gory. Bundle 3 for a discount.
3. “Boo” Bootacular Welcome Signs: A Timeless Favorite
“Boo!” never gets old. Especially when it’s spelled “B-O-O-T-A-C-U-L-A-R.” 😜 Paint it on a reclaimed barn wood slice or a crisp white board with black lettering. Add glitter, googly eyes, or faux cobwebs. This is the #1 impulse buy at craft fairs—fun, family-friendly, and Insta-worthy. Price point: $18–$28.
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Address Plaques: Functional & Frightful
Solve a problem + add spookiness = premium pricing. Use glow-in-the-dark paint on house numbers or “Trick or Treat” lettering. Customers love that trick-or-treaters can find their house after dark. Use UV-reactive paint for an extra “wow” under blacklight. Market it as “safety meets spooky.” Price: $35–$55.
5. Mini Haunted House Lanterns: LED-Candle Lit Ambiance
Cut a simple house shape from 1/4” plywood. Add window and door cut-outs. Glue a tea light LED candle inside. Paint with spooky details—glowing eyes, crooked shutters, a tiny ghost in the window. These are perfect for mantels, porches, or as table centerpieces. Sell in sets of 3 for $45. Safety note: Always use battery-operated LEDs—no open flames.
Haunted Home Accents — Interior Spookiness
Once they’re inside, keep them buying. These mantel, shelf, and table pieces are where the real profit hides.
6. Wood Slice Coffin Candy Dishes: Themed Functionality
Turn a 4×4 into a coffin. Hollow out the top, sand smooth, paint black with silver trim. Fill with candy at craft fairs—watch them fly off the table. Add a “R.I.P. Candy” pun for extra charm. Price: $22–$32. Upsell with a matching “Bone Appetit” serving tray.
7. “Bone” Appetit Serving Trays: Punny and Practical
A rectangular board with “Bone Appetit” burned or painted in the center. Add bone-shaped handles on the sides (cut from scrap wood or buy pre-made). Perfect for Halloween parties. Offer to stain or paint to match their decor. Price: $38–$48. Pro move: Bundle with a matching cheese knife for +$10.
8. Bewitching Wall Art: Subway Art with a Spooky Twist
Think “Witch Please,” “Gather ‘Round the Cauldron,” or “I Put a Spell on You.” Use popular subway art fonts, but with Halloween colors—purple, orange, black. Frame in a simple wood floater frame. These are bestsellers on Etsy because they’re giftable, shippable, and fit any decor style. Price: $29–$39.
9. Creepy Crawly Critter Cut-Outs: Spiders, Rats, and Bugs
Small. Cheap. Addictive. Laser-cut or hand-cut tiny spiders, rats, and cockroaches from 1/8” plywood. Paint glossy black. Sell in bags of 10 for $8–$12. Customers scatter them on tables, mantels, even in bathrooms for maximum scare. Low material cost = high margin. Perfect for checkout impulse buys.
10. Spell Book Stack Decor: Easy Staining and Aging Techniques
Stack 3–5 wood blocks (cut from 2x4s), stain dark walnut, then dry-brush with white or silver for an aged, mystical look. Add titles like “Necronomicon” or “Spells for Beginners” with a paint pen. Top with a mini cauldron or crystal ball. Price: $34–$44. Looks expensive, costs pennies to make.
Frightfully Fun Wearables & Accessories
Let them wear their Halloween spirit. These are social media gold—and lightweight to ship.
11. Mini Pumpkin Brooches & Pins: Paintable & Lightweight
Cut 1” pumpkin shapes from 1/8” wood. Paint jack-o-lantern faces, ghosts, or cats. Seal with Mod Podge. Attach pin backs. Sell for $6–$10 each. Offer “Buy 3 for $20.” Low shipping cost, high markup. Perfect for stocking stuffers or party favors.
12. “Spooky Season” Earrings: Laser-Cut & Hand-Painted Designs
Tiny bats, moons, ghosts, or “Boo” letters on earring hooks. Use lightweight wood or bamboo. Hand-paint details. Seal for durability. Price: $14–$18 per pair. Market to the “Hocus Pocus” crowd and Halloween bridesmaids. Bundle with matching necklaces.
13. Wooden Trick-or-Treat Bucket Tags: Personalized for Kids
Cut 2” tags from 1/4” wood. Burn or paint the child’s name + “Trick or Treat!” Add a ribbon loop. Parents go nuts for these. Sell for $8–$12 each. Offer bulk discounts for classrooms or party favors. Pro tip: Keep a list of common names pre-made to speed up production.
14. Statement Necklaces: Skulls, Moons, and Witch Hats
Larger wood pendants on leather or chain. Paint or stain, add glitter or rhinestones. Perfect for adult costumes or everyday October wear. Price: $24–$34. Photograph them on a model—people buy what they can visualize wearing.
15. Hair Clips & Barrettes: Ghosts, Bats, and Candy Corn
Glue tiny wood shapes to alligator clips or barrettes. Seal well. Price at $5–$8 each. Target moms, teachers, and party planners. Sell in Halloween party favor packs: 10 clips for $40. Low effort, high volume.
The Pumpkin Patch — Beyond the Carving
Pumpkins sell. Always. Here’s how to make them last longer—and profit more.
16. Stacked Pumpkin Yard Stakes: 3D Depth from 2x4s
Cut 3–5 pumpkin shapes in descending sizes from 2x4s. Stack and glue with a dowel for stability. Paint in classic orange or go trendy with white, black, or metallic. Add a stake to stick in the yard. Price: $45–$65. These are lawn showstoppers—charge accordingly.
17. Pumpkin Topiary Trios: A Premium Tiered Option
Stack 3 pumpkins on a central dowel, glued to a weighted base. Paint each a different finish: matte, glitter, striped. Top with a bow or crow. These scream “high-end porch decor.” Price: $55–$75. Offer custom color schemes.
18. Reversible Pumpkin Faces: Happy to Spooky
Paint one side a cute jack-o-lantern, the other a scary one. Add a handle or stake so they can flip it. Kids (and adults) love the interactivity. Price: $28–$38. Market as “Perfect for HOAs or easily scared neighbors.”
19. Pumpkin Pallet Wall Hangers: Rustic Farmhouse Style
Use reclaimed pallet wood as a backing. Attach 3–5 small wood pumpkins with wire or glue. Add “Fall Y’all” or “Gourd-geous” lettering. Farmhouse style still dominates—don’t fight it. Price: $36–$46.
20. Mini Pumpkin Garland: A Versatile Best-Seller
String 10–15 tiny pumpkins (1–2” wide) on jute or ribbon. Add felt leaves or berries. Customers hang these on mantels, windows, even stair railings. Price: $22–$32. Make in bulk—it’s pure profit after the first 10.
Cemetery Scene Setters — Tombs & Terrifiers
For the hardcore Halloween decorators. These are your high-ticket, high-wow items.
21. RIP Tombstone Garden Stakes: Classic & Customizable
Cut tombstone shapes from 1×8 or 2×12. Paint to look weathered. Offer custom names (“R.I.P. Dave”) or funny epitaphs (“Gone But Not Forgotten… Mostly”). Add a stake. Price: $35–$55. Pro tip: Offer a “Pet Memorial” version—huge emotional buyer.
22. Flickering LED Zombie Hand Prop: Simple Mechanics
Carve or buy a zombie hand shape. Embed a flickering LED tea light in the palm. Mount on a stake or base. Looks like it’s crawling from the grave. Price: $45–$65. Market with a video showing the flicker effect—conversion gold.
23. “Keep Out” Haunted Mansion Signage: Weathered & Warned
Use pallet wood or new boards. Burn or paint “KEEP OUT” or “ABANDON ALL HOPE.” Distress with sandpaper and dark wax. Add chains or fake cobwebs. Price: $40–$60. Sell to escape room owners and serious haunters.
24. Wooden Fence Segment Props: Building the Scene
Cut 2–3 vertical “fence posts” with broken boards between. Paint gray and weather. Customers use them to section off “haunted” areas in yards. Price per segment: $25–$35. Offer bulk discounts for large displays.
25. Hanging Skeleton Pieces: A Macabre Twist on Mobiles
Cut individual bones (skull, ribs, pelvis) from 1/4” wood. Paint white or leave natural. Hang from a branch or hoop with fishing line. Creepy, kinetic, and perfect for porches. Price: $45–$65 for a full set.
The Maker’s Fortune — Strategy for Selling Out
Great products aren’t enough. You need a plan to produce, price, and promote like a pro.
Sourcing Wood Smartly: Pallet vs. New vs. Reclaimed
- Pallet wood: Free or cheap, but labor-intensive to clean. Best for rustic signs.
- New pine boards: Consistent, easy to work with. Ideal for painted items.
- Reclaimed barn wood: Premium look, higher price point. Use for “Boo” signs or wall art.
Bottom line: Calculate your true cost—including your time. Don’t undervalue.
The Production Line Method: Batch Crafting for Efficiency
Don’t make one of everything. Make 10 “Boo” signs at once: cut all, sand all, paint all, seal all. Then move to the next item. You’ll 3x your output. Schedule “paint days” and “assembly days” to stay sane.
Pricing for Profit: The Formula Beyond Materials
Price = (Materials x 3) + ($15–$25/hr for your time) + Platform Fees + 20% Buffer
Example: A sign costs $5 in wood/paint. You spend 30 mins. Price = ($5 x 3) + ($15) + $3 (Etsy fee) + $5 buffer = $38. Don’t apologize for your price—your time is valuable.
Photography That Sells: Staging Your Spooky Creations
Natural light. Dark backgrounds (black fabric, slate). Props: fake cobwebs, candles, vintage books, pumpkins. Show scale—a hand holding the item. Take 10+ angles. Blurry photos = lost sales. Invest in a $20 ring light if needed.
Mastering SEO & Listings: Titles & Tags That Get Found
Use ALL 13 Etsy tags. Include:
- Holiday: “Halloween decor,” “spooky season”
- Style: “farmhouse Halloween,” “gothic decor”
- Use: “porch sign,” “mantel decor”
- Personalization: “custom name,” “family Halloween”
Title example: “Personalized ‘Boo’ Halloween Porch Sign – Farmhouse Wood Decor – Trick or Treat Plaque”
The Craft Fair Advantage: Why Booth Display Matters
Go vertical. Use shelves, ladders, crates. Light it well—battery string lights inside lanterns. Group by theme (porch, wearables, kids). Have a “$5–$10” bin for impulse buys. Play spooky music. Wear a costume. Be the experience.
The August Launch: Why Selling Early is Key
July: Start production.
August 1st: List EVERYTHING on Etsy.
September: Run social media ads.
October: Focus on craft fairs + local pickup.
Early birds shop in August. By October, they’re picking through leftovers. Beat the rush.
Summary: Building a Hauntingly Successful Season
You’ve got 25 proven, profitable ideas. From $5 hair clips to $75 topiaries. From porch stakes to personalized wearables. The demand is there. The only thing missing? You taking action.
Don’t try to make all 25. Pick 5 that match your skills and tools. Batch them. Photograph them beautifully. Price them fairly. Launch early. Watch your cart fill up.
This isn’t about being the most artistic crafter. It’s about being the smartest seller. Produce efficiently. Market strategically. Deliver joy (and a little fright).
Your haunted empire awaits. Now go claim it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best type of paint to use on Halloween wood crafts?
A: Acrylic craft paint for details. Chalk paint for base coats—it covers well and distresses beautifully. Always seal with matte polycrylic for durability.
Q: How far in advance should I start making inventory for Halloween?
A: Start cutting and sanding in June. Paint and assemble in July. List online by August 1st. Craft fairs ramp up in September—be ready.
Q: What are the top-selling price points for craft fair items?
A: $5–$25 for impulse buys (pins, tags, critters). $30–$50 for mid-range (signs, trays). $55–$75 for premium (topiaries, lighted props). Have something at every level.
Q: How can I make my wood crafts stand out from others online?
A: Killer photos. Personalization. Unique details (glow paint, moving parts, puns). Tell a story in your listing—why this item is special.
Q: What are the best platforms for selling seasonal wood crafts?
A: Etsy for broad reach. Facebook Marketplace for local, large-item sales. Instagram for driving traffic. Craft fairs for volume + cash sales. Use them all.