Can you guys believe it’s already October? I have no idea where the summer went. It feels like we blinked and it was gone. Even though we finished decorating our house for the fall a few weeks ago, I’m looking forward to this month’s holiday already. Halloween is one of my favorites to decorate for and we always go all out – in a subtle way, of course. I have a few favorite pieces and I keep adding to our collection here and there.

Here are 8 of my favorite buys for Halloween this year:

1. Black tapered candles. I love the mood that tall, black tapered candles set at a gathering. If I had to classify it, I’d call it “elegant spooky.” I’ve used mine in silver, brass, and crystal candlesticks and the ambiance is fabulous. It’s just enough to make it feel like Halloween without going over the top.

2. Black and orange cocktail napkins. You guys know how much I love layering Caspari’s chic products. How fun would these orange napkins be paired with these black spots on your bar or sideboard?

3. Skeleton hand servers. I’m not usually into creepy Halloween decor or table ware, but I picked up a pair of skeleton servers this year and I’m actually really excited about them. What a fun surprise, right?! I’m thinking I should have added these to my recent salad servers post now.

4. Gray glassware. Most of us don’t have the storage space for full sets of dinnerware for every occasion (with a possible exception for the holidays, of course). Adding little pieces here and there to an existing collection, like glasses from this gray smoke glassware collection, is a perfect way to freshen up a table for a new holiday. I love how the smoke gray looks, especially in the double old fashioned glasses.

5. Beaded spider web coaster set. These little beaded coasters are so much fun. They’re the perfect whimsical addition to a library, bar cart, or bar. Imagine them on an old, etched silver tray next to a few crystal decanters with sterling silver or pewter decanter labels.

6. Orange and black buffalo check napkins. These are versatile enough to carry you through the entire month of October, from brunch to Halloween party. They’re also under $20.00 for the set. You can’t go wrong with a good buffalo check!

7. Spooky black garland. This garland pulls double duty, both as a table centerpiece and as a decor piece. I love how it looks in both of these instances. It’s a great way to add a subtle bit of spooky decor without throwing off your style.

8. Cheese knives. Just because you buy something for Halloween doesn’t mean it shouldn’t work in your entertaining arsenal for the rest of the year. I love these gunmetal cheese knives for that very reason. They would work just as well with marble and regular white dishes and they could be used for a cheeseboard outside during warm weather or on a platter cozy by the fire with Christmas reds or Thanksgiving orange.

This post contains affiliate links, but all are tried and true Magnolia Stripes favorites.