The caw of the wild, this Halloween

Not all Halloween decorations need to be ghoulish or garish, especially when these economic times are frightening enough. Simple and witty alternatives can add a dash of goth or glamour. While not quite Edgar Allan Poe’s fabled raven, these black crow candles have an eerie presence (especially as the wax melts); they also could fit the bill as part of a fall harvest tablescape. They’re $10 each at Pottery Barn. The birds can be paired with CB2 Noir vases, $21.95 each, which have a matte black iron finish and a polished nickel interior. Try them with black roses for Halloween, if you must, and chrysanthemums afterward.

-- David A. Keeps