How to Make Halloween Ghosts From Tomato Cages

Don’t put those tomato stands away for the winter just yet, we’ve got a better idea. Use them to make these adorable porch ghosts. It takes just a few dollars in materials — fabric, a paper lantern and holiday string lights that you probably already have. Make a cute pair like we did or fill your entire yard with a troupe of ghosts to greet trick-or-treaters.

1. Prep the Cages

Spray paint the metal tomato cages white. If you only have one size tomato cage and want different-sized ghosts, use a wire cutter to remove a section of the cage.

Turn the stand upside down so the widest part becomes the sturdy base of the ghost. Bend the metal spikes inward toward the middle until they meet. If necessary, use floral wire to hold the spikes in place.

2. Attach the Head

Unfold and assemble the large white paper lanterns according to the package instructions. Place the lantern’s opening onto the tomato stand’s spikes. Use floral wire to hold the lantern upright.

3. Add Lights

Run white string lights up and down each row of the tomato stand, ensuring even coverage.

4. Wrap the Body

Drape the pre-cut white fabric over the top of the lantern head and down the tomato stand. Secure the fabric in the back of the stand with safety pins to hold it in place.

5. Stick on the Face

Attach the felt eyes and mouth to the lanterns to create spooky ghost faces. Instead of buying the pre-made ghost face, you could use felt to make the eyes and attach them to the ghost using fabric glue.