Vintage Trend Alert! Plastic Pumpkins Are the Latest Nostalgic Halloween Decor

Whether you’re thrifting vintage Halloween items or making new decorations reminiscent of old, one thing is clear: It seems our craving for nostalgic Halloween decor is as strong as our love of trick-or-treat candy. (And that’s saying something!) Handmade Halloween decor looks of yesteryear are big for 2025 and more creative than ever.

We were delighted to meet Megan Valencic and learn how she transforms the ubiquitous orange plastic pumpkin pails—you know the kind that are on every retailer’s endcap display for a dollar or two—into vintage-looking decor items. Her charming, kitschy faces with big smiles and vibrant colors are reminiscent of the 1920s paper-mache icons that defined a simpler time.

A New Retro Decor Trend

When prepping for a Halloween party during her third trimester of pregnancy, Valencic says she went into extreme nesting mode and decided she could craft her own nostalgic decor. She searched for inspiration and found vintage pumpkin pails online. The catch? These collectibles were expensive. “That’s when I decided to do what any Halloween-obsessed DIYer would do. Make my own,” she says.

She gathered her supplies from Michaels and Walmart, including plenty of orange plastic pumpkin buckets, and transformed her kitchen into a maker space. “My kitchen became a full-blown art studio,” she says.

How to Make the Halloween Decor

Goofy grins and exaggerated eyes add childlike wonder to your Halloween decorating. Here’s how you can craft a few of these for your own vignettes.

The secret ingredient is CelluClay, a product that’s made of recycled paper pulp. Just add water and you have a paper-mache material that’s versatile for sculpting and crafting projects. It dries strong and you can sand the surface once it’s set.

Cover a plastic pumpkin pail with the material—adding any additional 3-D elements, like ears, hats, or accessories—and let it set. Once dry, paint the faces in colorful Halloween hues. Because of the paper-mache-type material, these decor pieces are only suitable for indoor decor.

More Vintage Halloween Inspiration

No matter if you’re buying or DIY-ing this season, use these ideas to tap into the vintage Halloween trend.

• Look for vintage reproductions where you shop. Big retailers have introduced some cool retro-inspired products that will put a smile on your face.
• Scour thrift shops and flea markets for original pieces, although be prepared to pay for them, particularly at this time of year when there’s demand.
• Go with a classic black and orange palette for a vintage look.
• Keep your looks sweet rather than horror-filled. Vintage Halloween looks feel whimsical and warm. If you’re making projects yourself, reference vintage inspirations that show smiling faces, playful characters and retro finishes.