Dancing Skeleton Tablescape

The Skeleton House 2020 – present

This week, I chose to do a Skeleton Ballet Tablescape for Halloween. I chose to feature skeletons because, in our neighborhood, our home is known as the “Skeleton House”. In 2020, we first put up our decorative and friendly skeletons. This was during COVID 19 days when many people were working and going to school from home. Many people in our neighborhood fought “cabin fever” by taking long walks each day, and because we are on the “main drag” most people walked right past our house. We thought it would be fun to entertain the walkers and runners by using the skeletons to portray scenes from life in our neighborhood, from Aggie tailgates, to water sports, to lake life, and many other things. These scenes were changed each week. In 2022 we decided to add baseball skeletons to our yard because our son loved baseball and played it in to college and it seemed that the skeletons should play as well. Because the Astros were in the playoffs in 2022 we chose to make our skeletons imitate the playoffs, one team being the Astros, and one being the current opposing team. The rest, as they say, is history. If you would like to hear more about our skeletons I think you will enjoy the posts below. (and there are more posts to come, as we continue to share our photos of the different skeleton scenes).

More Tablescape info and photos below these yard skeleton links…

Choosing a World for your Skeletons – “Hair-Raising” or “Happy”?

Astros Skeleton Team has a “Thrilling and Chilling” Start

The Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over By Popular Demand

So you can see why I just had to do a tablescape that would bring the outdoor skeleton theme to the indoors as well.

The Plate Stack & Place Settings

As is often the case, my first catalyst for this tablescape idea was the plates. I found them about 4 years ago, in Homegoods, and I immediately fell in love with the happy skeleton ballerinas! I hunted at various Homegoods until I had at least 8-12 salad plates, which I planned to use with my black dinner plates. The plates are made by Ciroa dinnerware, and the pattern is “Wicked” (A rather strange pattern name for such happy dancers, in my opinion). As I did the “Homegoods Hunt” i eventually spotted the fruit bowls and bread and butter plates in this pattern and purchased them as well. I especially liked that all the dancers on the bread and butter plates are in different positions.

The plate stack consists of an orange woven placemat from Homegoods purchased recently.

On top of that, I placed a black spider web placemat. It is available at Homegoods periodically.

On top of the spider web placemat I placed a black and white stiped placemat from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.

On top of the striped charger, I placed a solid black ceramic dinner plate. I have two sets of these, one from the old Pier 1, and one from Dollar Tree, and I like them both.

The final item in the stack is the Ciroa “Wicked” Salad plate from Homegoods a few years back.

In the upper left corner is the Ciroa “Wicked” Bread and Butter plate.

The bread and butter plates display four different dance positions, and I love the variety! It makes it seem as if the dancers are dancing right across the dining room table.

In the upper right hand corner of the Place Setting, I placed two goblets, the one on the left above is a Luminac solid black goblet from Amazon from a few years ago. You may have seen this on one of my Disney/Mickey and Minnie Mouse tablescapes. The other is a “skeleton hand” goblet from Homegoods online this year. Update: 3 days after I posted that I had purchased these goblets online, I went to their website to purchase some napkins and found that they have discontinued the online store for Homegoods. I am so disappointed! I loved the convenience of this online store, the chance it gave me to hunt a different “store” without using any gasoline, the great storage boxes for all the fragile items and the door to door service. I hope they bring this back!

The Skeleton flatware is also new this year,and is from Amazon. I struggled with how to place it. As I am a fan of happy skeletons, I wanted the flatware skeletons to look “alive” and not dead. The head down position above seemed morbid, so I ended up trying the following two ways, and settled on the last one. I am still questioning that choice and would love your opinion on this. If you have time, please scroll down to the bottom of this post to share your opinion in the comment section on whether the flatware looks better heads down

…or heads up as in the above on the left, or (as in the photo on the above right) heads up for the knife and fork, but with the spoon in center above the placemat.

The other thing that I was unsure about was which napkin ring to use with this place setting and I would love your opinion on this as well. I was originally going to use my skeleton hand napkin rings because I love how they coordinate with the flatware and skeleton goblets, but then I noticed the jeweled pumpkin napkin rings went perfectly with the orange, black, & white color scheme. See pictures below, and if you have time please let me know in the comment section, which one you like best with the tablescape. (comment section is at the VERY bottom of the post-I love getting your comments!)

The above tablescape shows the alternate napkin rings – the skeleton hands in place of the jeweled pumpkin napkin rings. I love how the hand napkin rings look with the Skeleton Flatware and the skeleton hand water goblets.

The Centerpieces & Other Table Decorations

This year, I was excited to find a new centerpiece for the table that coordinates well with the plates. It is the ballerina on the moon, in the center of the table. It is sitting on top of a cake stand to give it a little more height than that of the candelabras. The moon and dancer make me think of a “Ziegfeld Follies” show, except for the fact that the dancer is a skeleton (haha).

This tablescape also has 2 candelabras (see above) with battery operated tapers. The candelabras are from Michael’s a few years ago, and battery operated candles are from Michael’s or Hobby Lobby (also from a few years ago) .

In addition, I placed 2 ceramic ghosts on the table. I love how they look and…

…I especially love that they have LED color-changing lights for their eyes. They are marked $3 – what a deal! I believe they are from Dollar Tree and were purchased a few years ago. But please let me know if you find them somewhere else, as I’d love to get a few more.

Also on the table are two pumpkin stacks from Homegoods or Hobby Lobby from a few years ago.

However, a new item this year is the table runner of dancing skeletons. (see above) It is from Homegoods. I was so happy to find this table runner with all the colors of my tablescape and dancing skeletons too! It always surprises me when I find such very related things at Homegoods, but find them a couple of years apart from each other. This was the case with the dancing skeleton dishes from 2019, being so perfect with this year’s table runner and ballerina centerpiece. Have you found your tablescape items over a period of years as well?

Serving Pieces

I chose the skeleton serving pieces below for this tablescape.

I liked the above because it made me think of cowboys and country music, which made me think of our home state of Texas.

I loved this skeleton hand and wrist serving plate so much that I bought 3. One for myself, one for my son in honor of his broken wrist and for his help during my broken wrist and one for my friend, who not only endured her own broken wrist, but also later came across the country to help me when I fell off a ladder and broke my wrist.

Decorating the Chair Legs

I decided to decorate the chair legs as witch’s legs, to go with the “stripe” theme, as well as the “orange and black Halloween theme”. These striped socks and witch shoes are actually from a decoration of witch’s legs designed to hang on a wall or door. I believe I bought these at Hobby Lobby, quite a while ago, when they sold Halloween decor as well as fall decor.

The above is a photo of the wall decor -“Witch’s Legs” that I used to make the witch’s legs for the chair legs. To make them, I simply cut the “belt” and ripped/trimmed the seam out to separate the legs, then I removed all the stuffing (polyester fill) in the socks, while leaving a little padding in the shoes. (see below)

Then I slipped the sock/shoe pieces on the two back chair legs. Due to the size of our chair’s legs, and the size of the stretch sock pieces, the socks slipped tightly onto the chair leg and did not even need a rubber band or tied ribbon to hold them up. At Amazon, I found a set of witch’s legs that appear very similar to the ones I used. Check the “Table Details and Origins” section for a link to Amazon’s set.

Around the Dining Room

I also carried out the Halloween theme in the dining room by adding pumpkins on and around the windowsill. However, my ability to decorate at a low height has been temporily limited until my puppy outgrows his “eat everything” stage.

Lastly I added a Halloween “Welcome” sign to the dining room door. I love the colors in this sign from Dollar Tree (from a few years ago).

In the below sections you will find some info about the origins of the items on this tablescape, and after that, some links to other posts I hope you will check out. Following those is a list of the link parties I participate in that contain links to many other wonderful ideas, and finally – at the very bottom of this post – a “Comment Section”. I would love to read any comments you have!

Thank you so much for stopping by Our “Skeleton House” and visiting our “Dancing Skeleton” Tablescape!!

We wish you and yours a Happy Halloween!!!!!!

Table Details and Origins for the “Dancing Skeleton” Tablescape

Ciroa “Wicked” plates – Homegoods 2019

Black Ceramic Dinner Plates – available periodically at Dollar Tree, and similar items available at Amazon search “solid black dinner plates”

Black and White Striped Chargers – Hobby Lobby around 2019

Black Spider Web Placemats – Homegoods – available periodically in the fall

Orange Woven Placemats – Homegoods 2022

Cowboy Skeleton Serving Tray – Homegoods around 2020

Skeleton Hand Plate – Homegoods around 2020

Orange, Black and White Jeweled Napkin Rings – Homegoods – around 2020

Skeleton Hand Napkin Rings – Pottery Barn – current item

Personality Silver Black Stainless Steel Flatware – Amazon

Luminarc Black Goblets – Amazon in 2020 – similar items available on Amazon or eBay – search “black wine glasses” or “black goblets”

Cake Stand – Homegoods – 2018 approximately

Moonlight Manor Metal Skeleton Hand Goblets – Homegoods – September 2023

Ballerina Skeleton on Moon – Homegoods September 2023

Stacked Ceramic Pumpkins with Stripes or Polka Dots – Homegoods and Hobby Lobby – available in the fall periodically

Black and Gold Candelabras – Michael’s around 2018

Ceramic Ghosts with Led Color Changing Lights – Dollar Tree around 2018

Halloween “Welcome” Sign – Dollar Tree around 2021

“Happy Halloween” Figurine with Black Cat on Pumpkin – Homegoods 2019?

Dancing Skeleton Table Runner – Homegoods 2023

Orange, White, & Jeweled Pumpkins – Homegoods and Hobby Lobby 2019

Orange Napkins – Homegoods – around 2019

Witch’s legs decor – used on chair legs – Hobby Lobby originally but now a similar item is available on Amazon

Posts I Hope You Will Like

If you liked this Tablescape Post, I hope you will like the following posts too.

Mickey and Minnie Halloween Tablescape – No “Bones” About It?

and…

Romantic Lakeside Dinner for Two at Sunset

The “Eras of Barbie” Tablescape

If you like Halloween, Skeletons, and Outdoor Decorations, I hope you willl like the following:

The Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over By Popular Demand

Link Parties

I often participate in Tablescape Thursday at betweennapsontheporch.net, Please click on the link to see this website from one of my favorite bloggers – I especially love her “Tablescape Thursday posts” which are all about tablescapes and her tablescape post is followed by photos and links for many other wonderful tablescapers.  Her “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters” – is another favorite of mine. 

I also often participate in Marty’s “Inspire me Tuesday” link party at “A Stroll Thru life” I hope you can check out her website and her Tuesday link party which is followed by photos and links with many other ideas from her followers.

Recently I started following Katherinescorner.com. I frequently join her TFT blog party. The TFT – Thursday Favorite Things – blog hop contains links on many topics with lots of great ideas. To get there click on the preceding link and go to her website and they check out her most recent Thursday – TFT post. At the bottom of the post, you will find many of her followers’ ideas. 

On October 4, 2023 I saw that my Butterfly Tablescape was featured on the You’re the Star Blog Hop at Eclectic Red Barn. Thanks to Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn and also to the October 4th hosts Angie @ God’s Growing Garden and Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures.

I have also started following SouthernSunflowers.com and recently joined their “Home Matters Link Party”. It begins each week on Thursdays. On October 12, 2023 I was honored that Kristie featured my Barbie tablescape. I hope you can check it out.

Recently, I started following KarinsKottage.com, and I am loving her blog as well, and can’t wait to see her Italian Castle remodel! I often participate in her Linky Party on Wednesdays .  I am so excited to report that Karin featured both my Dancing Skeleton Tablescape, and my Bicycling Bride and Groom Bicycling Skeleton Tablescape on her Link Party on Halloween 2023!! Thanks so much Karin!!! You can see her Halloween Linky Party here, by clicking on the following – Halloween Linky Party.

I also enjoy following Life and Linda. I have been checking out Linda’s wonderful tablescapes for years! If you are currently planning your Christmas tablescape, I think you will enjoy visiting Linda’s Christmas Tablescapes. Recently Linda featured my Dancing Skeleton Tablescape on her Link Party, which I really appreciate – Thanks so much Linda!!

I have also started following EclecticRedBarn.com and am loving the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop”.

On Sundays, I share on the Life as a Leo Wife “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party. I was so excited to see that that Nikki featured my Dancing Skeletons Tablescape in her Happiness is Homemade party # 503. Such an honor to be featured!! Thanks so much Nikki!

This year, for my first time, I have joined the “Home Imagined Link Party” at Masterpiecesofmylife.com. I love this website, and the hostesses and other contributors have some great ideas! To get to the home page, use the above link and then scroll down to “Home Imagined Link Party” and click on it to get to the Link Party page. A new link party is posted every other week. 

I have also shared recently on EsmeSalon.com. The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

This week, I joined the Saturday Sparks Party at Suzanne’s Pieced Pastimes Blogspot. I hope you can check it out.

On Fridays I join the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party link party. I am honored that Stephanie chose to feature my Barbie “Eras” Tablescape on Friday October 13, 2023. I hope you can visit.

This week I checked out this wonderful post on the Roentare.zenfolio blog and I love the photography as well as the scenery photographed. I joined their linky party while I was there. I hope you can visit this website too!

This week I also linked to the very interesting – Life Tales Books Blogspot, I hope you can visit it as well.

I hope you will enjoy visiting these wonderful bloggers on the above websites as much as I do!

Comments

I would love to hear your comments, and your Halloween Stories. Please scroll to the bottom of this post to leave comments – and Thank you for stopping by!!!

Happy Halloween!!!