Easy DIY Tomato Cage Ghost: Large & Low Budget Halloween Decor

Inside: Tomato cage ghosts are the perfect addition to your Halloween decorations. This easy DIY project costs little to make but gives big “boos” for your buck!

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If you’ve been scrolling through Halloween ideas on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve seen the tomato cage ghost. A lot.👻

I know they got my attention—ridiculously cheap and large Halloween decor that can be seen from across the room or across the street? I had to make some.

But when I went to my instruction guru Google, I was surprised there weren’t many websites with tutorials. (Maybe it’s just too easy?)

So I’m sharing how truly simple this Halloween project is if you’re looking for some big bang Halloween decor that doesn’t cost big bucks!

Supplies Needed to Make Tomato Cage Ghosts.

• Tomato cage
• White fabric: I used two plastic table covers from a Dollar Tree set of 2, but you can also use a white sheet (a twin sheet works best)
• White cheesecloth or white creepy cloth
• Large styrofoam ball: I used 8-inch foam balls
• Black felt with removable peel and stick backing for the ghost eyes and mouth
• White Christmas lights (optional)
• Rubber bands, zip ties, twist ties, duct tape, or string to bind the top of the tomato cage

How to Make a DIY Tomato Cage Ghost.

1. Secure the three prongs of the tomato cage together. I used rubber bands, but you could use anything you have on hand (ideas listed in the materials above).

2. Push the styrofoam ball down over the point of the tomato cage.

Instead of the foam head, even cheaper options are to use an upside-down round plastic pumpkin trick or treat bucket; or use plastic bags within a plastic bag, tying off to form a head shape.

3. If you’d like to have a glowing ghost, add some white mini lights to the tomato cage. Secure the lights at the top by tying off the end or with some zip ties. Wind them down the cage and thread the lights out the back.

4. Cover the form with the plastic tablecloths, white fabric, or sheet. I needed two tablecovers to completely cover the tomato cage. I started one plastic tablecloth at the bottom of the back and then draped the second one starting at the bottom of the front of the ghost.

5. Drape the cheesecloth or gauzy creepy cloth over the top.

6. Cut three ovals out of the peel and stick felt. (I traced the oval bottom of my vintage Good Seasons salad dressing cruet to make it quick, easy, and even.)

7. Peel off the backing and apply two ovals for the ghost’s eyes and one for the mouth.

And presto—instant Halloween ghost!👻👻

How to Use the Tomato Cage Ghosts Outside on the Front Porch.

​This Halloween season I’m using them to flank my front door, but something I didn’t take into account was wind. And the materials I used are so lightweight the ghosts “disappeared” every day.

Here are a couple of tips if you’re planning to use them on the porch (lesson learned):

• Staple or use safety pins to attach the table covers, cloth, and/or cheesecloth to the tomato cage frame in a few places.
• Tie a ribbon around the neck (plus it adds another cute decorative touch).
• Weigh the tomato cage base down with a couple of bricks hidden beneath the cloth.

Another great way to make a statement? Have a whole family of Halloween ghosts! Tomato cages come in different sizes from a small size tomato cage to make a little ghost, medium tomato cage for mama, and a large tomato cage for dad.

Happy Haunting,

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