As Hallowe’en draws close, The Mail editor Vanessa Sims has been looking for the best DIY tips to help readers enjoy the spooky season without breaking the bank...

DIY Hallowe’en hacks that are so easy it’s scary.

Recycling old milk cartons, filling discarded orange peel with sweeties and freezing toy spiders in ice cubes are just three ways you could save cash but still enjoy a spooky Hallowe’en.

The money saving team at PromotionalCodes.org.uk have compiled 12 of the best Hallowe’en hacks and they are devilishly genius.

Among the ideas included which could save you the pennies includes swapping expensive Hallowe’en lights to simply turning plastic cups upside down to create ghostly lighting around the house.

Other hacks include using an old pair of tights to turn a table into witch’s legs and for sweet treats tipping strawberries in chocolate to make edible ghosts.

Darren Williams from PromotionalCodes.org.uk said: “We all love Hallowe’en but every year it is becoming more popular and can be an expensive holiday for families.

“There are plenty of items around the house that can be used to create decorations and costumes, so rather than spending loads on high street items, save your money and make it a family fun event by doing some DIY crafts yourself or as a family.”

Here is the top 12 Hallowe’en hacks:

3 Spooky lighting

Use old jam jars, decorate with red or black yarn and add a tea light to create the glow.

4 Flying bats

Use some black card or black felt and cut out the shape of bats. Use double sided sticky tape or string and place around the room.

5 Spooky milk cartons

Use a black marker pen to draw a scary face on an empty milk carton then fill with fairy lights inside using tape to create a glowing ghost effect.

6 Candy orange pumpkins

Cut the top off an orange then scoop out the insides (which can be used as you please), carve a spooky face in the front of the orange and fill with sweets of your choice for a trick or treat.

7 Spider ice cubes

Buy a bag of small plastic spiders and place one in each section of an ice cube tray. Freeze and place in drinks when ready.

8 Glowing plastic cup lights

Draw scary faces on an upside down plastic cup using a black marker then add an LED tea light inside for a glowing effect.

9 T-shirt to Harry Potter robe

Use an over-sized black T-shirt and cut down the middle to create a cloak for your kids. Finish off with sewing button at the neck to hold the cloak together and decorate with the house badge of your choice.

10 Monster rocks

Use stones from your back garden and paint with a colour of your choice then add some googly eyes with black paint.

11 Umbrella to bat wings

Disassemble a black umbrella and get rid of any unwanted wires. Cut down the middle of the material to create two separate wings then stitch from the wrist to the underarm to create extending wings for a costume.

10 Strawberry ghosts

Dip strawberries in white chocolate or icing then add eyes and a mouth with milk chocolate once dry. You can add a food colouring of your choice if you wish.

11 Bewitched table

Dress your table legs with old striped tights and stick with masking tape then place the bottom of the table legs in a pair of old ragged boots. Add a dark table cloth on top to cover the tape.

12 Toilet paper eyes

Take old toilet paper rolls and cut eyes in them. Add a glow stick or LED tea light and place in or out the house. For the best effect use in dark lighting.