It's the most wonderful time of the year - no, not Christmas - Halloween! Celebrating Halloween can be frightfully fun, but with its dark and dramatic nighttime nature it's important to create a safe environment for you and your family. Read on for my favorite safe and spooky Halloween decorating ideas.

For the exterior: Safety first - illuminate your yard for trick-or-treaters!  Create a safe, well-lit environment by lining your walkway with candle light sparkle cone stakes; weaving a string of orange solar LED lights through the bare branches of your trees; or accenting your garden with a trio of twig LED lights.

For the living room: There's nothing more eerie than flickering candlelight in a darkened room. (And while candles in proper holders are generally quite safe, please exercise caution and never leave a candle unattended!) This dramatic iron candleholder shaped like a twisted tree is sure to make a spooky statement. Want a more elegant look? A jeweled skull and crossbones candle is dramatic and sophisticated, while these Italian gold glass candleholders sparkle with the essence of autumn.

For the kids: Make Halloween memorable by swapping out your usual lightbulbs for ones with a Halloween hue, like an orange CFL bulb or an orange 25 watt party bulb. To really get spooky, why not surprise your little monsters with a furry little monster lamp?  

For the dining room: Safe and spooky Halloween decorating ideas don't have to be gaudy! A white glass vase ilustrated with an elm treeis as seasonally appropriate in fall as it is in winter, while an antique gold sugar maple leaf nightlight (crafted from a real leaf) brings a shimmering fall feeling indoors. And for the foodie, a pumpkin cast iron steamer pot is the perfect seasonal accent.

Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Image credits from top to bottom: Martha Stewart; Better Homes & Gardens; 1x, and Martha Stewart.