The holiday season is swiftly approaching. The temperatures have dropped, the leaves are changing colors and it is time to gear up for the parties, get-togethers, gifts and festivities that will soon come!

It can be tough to get in the spirit of the season when facing massive to-do lists and daunting decorating projects, but don't fret! Custom apparel and accessories can lift your spirits, help narrow down your to-do list and even solve some decorating problems! I have put together a few ideas that may come in handy during this holiday season. This article focuses on autumn and more specifically, Halloween.

Halloween Home Decorating

Halloween can be a pretty diverse holiday as far as decorating is concerned. Do you opt for creepy, fright-inducing decor or do you prefer a nature-inspired autumn harvest look? Are your pumpkins the bright-eyed and smiley variety, or do they stare back with a menacing glare? There are so many cool ways to decorate, it can be hard to figure out where to start! Once you decide which decorating style fits your personality, think about adding extra touches with custom apparel and accessories.

An easy way to update your living room for Halloween is by adding a custom throw blanket. If you want a scary look, customize your blanket with a skeleton or a big spider hanging from a web. If that isn't your speed, maybe try a cute pumpkin or a black cat.

If you have a dog that likes to greet people at the door, it's a good idea to make a shirt or a bandana for him to wear. In my experience dogs do not enjoy costumes, so these items are a great way to include them in the festivities without making them miserable. My dog is a chow hound, always looking for a tasty handout, so I really like a custom bandana with the phrase "I do tricks for treats."

Costume Alternatives and Party Ideas

If Halloween parties are in your plans, but you don't want the hassle of a costume, try creating custom t-shirts. A black raven on top of a tree branch can look sophisticated on a designer t-shirt and could even be worn beyond Halloween. If you have little ones, consider making a sweatshirt with cute graphics. My favorite is a baby pink sweatshirt with a pumpkin image and the phrase "Daddy's Little Pumpkin" - a great gift for a new dad and a festive way to dress up babies for the entire fall season.

Another party favorite are customized goodie bags. Many t-shirt design websites also offer buttons to customize. Fill a cellophane bag full of treats and add festive buttons designed by the host or hostess. They are sure to be a hit long after the treats are gone!

For the Trick-or-Treaters

If you plan on taking children out for Trick-or-Treating, why not let them decorate a festive tote bag to take along? Using an online custom design center, choose a tote bag, pick colors and help children choose artwork to customize their bag. You can even add names, so kids won't get their candy bags mixed up. A great thing about these totes is that they will last year after year.

As most people know, October weather can be chilly and wet! To keep dry on a wet October night out, I suggest customizing an umbrella. Toting a custom umbrella is sure to turn heads while out Trick-or-Treating and is bound to make a few jealous! My favorite is a black umbrella adorned with cute candy corns, but you can customize yours with witches, bats, skulls, or whatever creative design you come up with!

Happy Creating!

The most important ingredient to a successful holiday season is happiness! These ideas are sure to make your celebrations memorable and fun for everyone. Have fun creating your custom t-shirts and accessories this Halloween!