How to Make Paper Doily Ghosts (An Easy Halloween Craft)

Paper doily ghosts are one of the simplest Halloween crafts I know, and you probably already have everything you need to make them. A doily, a pair of scissors and a black marker are all it takes. The lacy edges turn into wispy, floating ghost bodies almost on their own.

They take just a few minutes each, they’re inexpensive, and kids can make them too. Once you have a little pile, you can string them into a garland, tuck them into gift wrap, or scatter them around the house for Halloween.

Quick overview

• Time: Less than a minute per ghost
• Cost: Just pennies per ghost if you buy a variety pack
• Skill level: Easy, and good for kids
• Makes: Several small ghosts from one large doily

Which doilies work best?

Any size or shape of paper doily will work. Large round, small round, square and even heart-shaped doilies all make good ghosts. I even used some leftover heart doilies from decorating a flourless chocolate cake.

Doilies that have a solid, smooth center with a lacy border work best. The smooth part becomes the ghost’s face, and the lace becomes its floaty, tattered body. Larger doilies give you more room, so they’re a good place to start if you’re making these with kids.

What you will need:

• Paper doilies
• Scissors
• A black marker (a fine-tip marker works best for making small ghosts)
• Twine if making a garland or using it to wrap packages
• A glue stick or hot glue gun

How to make paper doily ghosts

1. Pick your spot. Look for a place on the doily where the lacy edge meets the smooth center. The smooth part will be the ghost’s head.
2. Cut the ghost shape. Cut a free-form shape starting from the lacy edge and curving up into the smooth part to make a rounded head. Leave the lace at the bottom so it looks like a flowing ghost body. There’s no wrong way to do it, and uneven ghosts look even better.
3. Try different shapes. Make some ghosts tall and thin and others short and round. A mix of shapes and sizes looks best when they’re displayed together.
4. Draw the face. Use a black marker to add two oval eyes to the smooth head. Add an open “O” mouth for a spooky ghost or skip the mouth for a sweet one.
5. Repeat. Keep cutting around the doily. You can usually get several ghosts out of one large doily.

Tip: If your marker bleeds on thin doilies, let the eyes dry for a minute before you handle the ghost, or use a fine-tip marker with a light touch.

Ways to use your paper doily ghosts

• Make Halloween treat bags. Ghosts are a nice touch on treat bags for classroom parties or trick-or-treaters.
• Make a ghost garland. Glue the ghosts to a length of twine and hang them on a mantel, a doorway, or a window. I used three colors of twine from my favorite little twine kit.
• Decorate a mirror or window. Attach the ghosts with a small piece of removable tape. Add a bit of white glitter if you want some sparkle.
• Dress up gift wrap. Glue a ghost onto a brown kraft package or a treat bag for Halloween parties.
• Make gift tags. Tiny ghosts are just the right size for small gift tags like these.
• Set the table. Tuck a ghost into a napkin or onto a place card for a Halloween dinner party.

Can kids make these paper doily ghosts?

Absolutely! This is a great Halloween craft for kids. Doilies are thin and easy to cut, even with child-safe scissors, and there’s no wrong way to shape a ghost. Younger kids can draw the faces while a grown-up does the cutting.

Doilies come in variety packs of 120 and are inexpensive. Since you can make several ghosts from one doily, a single pack goes a long way. That makes this a good craft for a classroom, a Halloween party, or a rainy afternoon at home.

Paper doily ghost FAQs

What kind of doilies should I use?
Any paper doily works. Round doilies with a solid center and a lacy border are the easiest because they have plenty of room for a face.

How many ghosts can you make from one doily?
It depends on the size. A large round doily will usually make several small ghosts, and a small doily might make one or two.

How do you hang a doily ghost garland?
Glue each ghost to a length of twine with a glue stick and let it dry before hanging. You can also use mini clothespins if you’d like to reuse the twine.

Can you save paper doily ghosts for next year?
Yes. Store them flat between sheets of paper in a folder or envelope so the lace doesn’t bend or tear.

A simple craft that does double duty

I love holiday crafts that work as both decor and gift wrap, and paper doily ghosts do both. They’re quick, they’re inexpensive, and if you’re like me, you probably have a stack of doilies in a drawer right now.

Here are a few other fun Halloween projects

• Jack-O-Lantern ghost and pumpkin luminaries
• How to make polka dot pumpkins
• How to carve pumpkins using power tools
• Make this easy Halloween chocolate bark in minutes
• How to make mini pumpkin planters with real pumpkins