On Halloween night, every house faces the same question: when the candy bowl is empty, how do you tell the next group of excited trick-or-treaters without disappointing them at the door? A two-sided door hanger is the perfect answer. Flip it to Candy here! When you are ready for visitors, flip it to Sorry, all out of candy! When the bowl is empty. This design is spooky enough to be fun but friendly enough for little ghosts and princesses: bats, bubbling purple potions, a glowing jack-o’-lantern, and a cute cartoon ghost.
Candy Here: Pumpkin and Bats
This hanger measures 4.25 x 11 inches and is printed on both sides. The front is deep night purple-black with a pattern of soft purple bubbles, like a witch’s cauldron. Just below the door hole, a thin line swags across the card with three black bats hanging from it. Trick or treat! Sits in lime green, then a big full-colour jack-o’-lantern grins in the centre with a warm orange glow behind it. CANDY is set in huge orange grungy letters, HERE! in white beneath it. A lime line invites trick-or-treaters to ring the bell and say the magic words, and a lilac line notes that nut-free treats are available.
All Out: A Friendly Ghost
The reverse is dark charcoal grey. A white cartoon ghost with a wavy hem, two oval eyes, and a round oh! mouth floats in the middle. BOO! is set in orange above Sorry, all out of candy! in white, and a friendly line underneath reads Happy haunting, see you next year! It lets children down gently and saves you from answering the door every two minutes once the candy is gone.
The Bubbling Texture
The purple bubble pattern on the candy side comes from the editor’s background Pattern feature, using the Bubbles pattern. Change it in Backgrounds, Pattern: turn the bubbles lime green for a toxic potion look, orange for a pumpkin patch feel, or remove them for a plain night sky. The charcoal background has no texture, so the ghost stands out cleanly.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
The Nut-free treats available line nods to the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative that encourages households to offer non-food treats or allergy-friendly options so children with food allergies can join in. If you offer stickers, glow sticks, or small toys, say so on the hanger. Families of children with allergies really appreciate it.
Wording Ideas for Both Sides
| Candy side | All-out side |
|---|---|
| Candy here! | Sorry, all out of candy! |
| Treats inside, ring the bell. | The witch ate all the candy |
| Take one, please! | Bowl empty, happy haunting! |
| Spooky treats this way | Gone trick-or-treating ourselves |
| Non-food treats here | See you next Halloween |
The Grungy Halloween Font
CANDY and HERE! Use Rubik Dirt, a bold display font with a rough, worn texture that feels spooky without being scary. For a cuter look, switch to a rounded font like Fredoka; for a classic horror feel, try Pirata One or Rye from the font list.
Personalising the Pumpkin and Ghost
The jack-o’-lantern is a full-colour editable illustration; resize it or swap it for a black cat, witch hat, or skeleton from the editor’s library. The ghost on the back is made of simple shapes: recolour it pale green for a glowing ghost, or add a bow for a ghoul-friend.
Unattended Candy Bowls
If you will not be home, some families leave a bowl on the porch with the candy side showing and a Please take one note. Flip the hanger to the ghost side when you return, or ask a neighbour to flip it when the bowl is empty.
Halloween Safety Tips
Keep your porch well lit, clear away trip hazards, and use battery candles in pumpkins near costumes. If you prefer not to receive trick-or-treaters at all, hang the ghost side early in the evening; most families respect it.
Cutting the Two-Sided Halloween Sign
A dashed circle at the top of each side marks where to cut the hole for the doorknob, and a dashed slit shows the cut. On the back, the slit is mirrored so both sides line up.
Printing and Laminating for Halloween Night
Download as a PDF and print both pages back to back on heavy card, or print each side separately and glue them together. Dark backgrounds look best with a laser or quality inkjet printer. Laminate the hanger so it survives October drizzle and can be reused every year.
Halloween Parties and Classrooms
The design also works for a classroom party door, a haunted house entrance (Enter if you dare!) or a teenager’s bedroom during a Halloween sleepover. Change the text on each side to suit the event.
Storing for Next Year
Keep the laminated hanger with your Halloween decorations. Many families make it part of the tradition: the day the hanger comes out of the box is the day Halloween season begins.
Halloween Sign at a Glance
- Size: 4.25 x 11 inches, two pages
- Front: candy here, pumpkin, bats, and bubble texture
- Back: friendly ghost, all out of candy
Counting Trick-or-Treaters
How much candy do you need? Many households see anywhere from 20 to more than 200 trick-or-treaters depending on the neighbourhood. If you are new to the street, ask neighbours how busy it gets, and buy a little extra. The two-sided hanger means you can relax if you run out: just flip it to the ghost.
Halloween Hanger FAQ
Why can’t I select the bubbles?
The bubbles are a locked page pattern, adjustable from the Pattern tab in Backgrounds.
Can I make it less spooky for toddlers?
Yes. Use brighter colours and a rounded font.
What size is it?
4.25 x 11 inches, front and back.
Can I print the sides separately and glue them?
Yes. Print each page, glue back to back, and then laminate for strength.
Is the ghost scary for little kids?
No. It is a round cartoon ghost with a surprised face, friendly for toddlers.
Can I add our house number?
Yes. Add it under the candy headline so friends find the right door.
