How To Make the Ghost Garland

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Choose a pattern and print it

Choose ghosts to make. Download and print the pattern to computer paper or cardstock.
Choose the Happy Ghosts or Mad Ghosts or Ghostly Ghosts patterns if you are printing to paper, then follow the instructions for paper ghosts. Any of the patterns can be printed to cardstock.

The happy and mad ghosts are simpler to cut than the ghostly ghosts, so keep that in mind when selecting a pattern to print. Also, the ghostly ghost comes in white, bluish and green patterns. If you want other colors of any of the ghosts, print the B&W patterns to colored paper or color them with crayons or markers.

Two Ghosts

Happy Ghosts

Mad Ghosts

Bluish Ghostly Ghosts

Ghostly Ghosts

Green Ghostly Ghosts

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Make Paper Ghosts (optional)

Ghosts made from paper need to have two layers. Score the dashed line on the Happy Ghosts or Mad Ghosts or Ghostly Ghosts pattern with an empty balpoint pen then fold on the scored line. Apply glue inside the fold to completely cover the back of one ghost. Press the two sides together and rub to remove air bubbles.

Set the glued ghost aside for a few minutes before cutting out the ghost.

Step 3: Cut Ghosts

Cut out each ghost on the outer black line. Try to do smooth, neat cuts.

If you printed to cardstock, turn the ghost over and draw eyes and mouth on the reverse side with a black marker. Tip: You can trace the printed eyes and mouth if you hold the cardstock to a window with light shining through.

Step 4: Make a Paper Chain

Cut 1-inch (2.5 cm) strips from one 9 by 12 sheet each of black and orange construction paper. Set aside one paper strip for each ghost. Glue the strips into rings. As you glue, link one ring into another to form a chain.

Tip: Alternate orange and black rings as you make the paper chain.

Step 5: Add Ghosts to Paper Chain

Cut a slit near the top of each ghost that is a bit wider than the paper strip. Thread a paper strip through the slit, link the paper strip with a ring on the paper chain and glue the ring together.

Tip: Place the ghosts evenly along the paper chain, leaving at least two empty rings between ghosts.

Make the ghost garland any length you like, just make more ghosts and cut more strips. Hang the garland with thumbtacks or tape in a doorway or window, over a bulletin board or from the ceiling.