(Donna Erickson)

These friendly ghosts will give a gentle fright on Halloween night when partygoers and trick-or-treaters stroll down the walkway to your home. They are simple enough for families to make at the last minute, and they use basic items you probably have on hand. Dress up several in different heights, shapes and sizes.

  • 2 large, sturdy white dinner-size paper plates

  • 2 standard, lightweight wire clothes hangers

  • 3-foot-long section of 1/2-inch dowel from the hardware store. (An old broomstick, yardstick or tree branch of the same length also works.)

  • 1 piece of 45-inch-by-45-inch lightweight white lining fabric or lightweight white plastic disposable tablecloth cut to size

  • 2 yards of 1-inch-wide black ribbon

  • Self-stick craft foam sheets or felt and glue

  • Duct tape

  • Pliers and stapler

    HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

    1. To make arms for the ghost, unwind the top of the hanger and straighten out the semi "S" shape. The hanger will look like a three-sided, topless rectangle, with a short side, a base and a long side. Bend the short side down to the base, and twist the wire in place with pliers to form a narrow loop. You now have one arm. Repeat with a second hanger for the other arm.

    2. To shape the torso and head, twist together the top 4 inches of the long sides of both hangers. Wrap the twisted portion with tape to secure in place. Now, you will have two outstretched arms and a neck at the point where

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    the hangers are twisted together. Tape the "neck" portion of the hanger to the top of the dowel. Then, tape that part to the middle of the inside of a paper plate. Set a second plate on top and staple around all edges to complete the head shape.

    3. To dress the ghost, fold the fabric into a large triangle. Set the center fold evenly over the plate head and spread over the outstretched wire arms. Tape the very ends of the arms to the underside of the fabric to hold it in place. Tie the ribbon around the neck of the ghost just below the round plates.

    4. To make the face, cut two ghostly eye shapes out of craft foam or felt. Stick them on or glue them to the fabric face.

    5. To display the ghost, push the dowel or stick into the ground by your walkway. On a porch or deck, poke the stick into a clay pot filled with sand.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."