There is something deeply unsettling about a group of pale, floating shapes swaying in the dark. A single ghost is a classic; a swarm is a nightmare. To create this effect, you’ll need cheesecloth, white fabric, or even old white bedsheets, a generous amount of liquid starch or white glue mixed with water, and invisible fishing line. Cut your fabric into large, ghost-like shapes with torn, irregular edges—perfectly smooth sheets look like laundry, not spirits. Dip each piece into the starch mixture, then wring it out and drape it over inflated balloons, foam balls, or even a cheap wire frame. Let it dry completely. Once the fabric hardens into a stiff, eerie shape, you can remove the ball or balloon and see your ghost.
Now comes the magic. Hang each ghost from the ceiling, porch beams, or tree branches using fishing line at varying heights. Some should hover low enough to almost brush the top of a visitor’s head; others should loom high above. Use small LED lights inside the ghosts to make them glow from within, or shine a ultraviolet blacklight on them for a spectral, bluish tint. If you can attach an electric fan or rely on a natural breeze, the ghosts will sway and twist, as if they are searching for warmth. Add a few lines of thin wire from the base of each ghost to a central point and attach a small motor—even an old windshield wiper motor—to make them move irregularly. The effect is an army of restless spirits gathering around your home, and it will make guests absolutely refuse to walk alone.
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