# Automating Halloween Decorations with HomeKit
Halloween brings a chance for creativity and enjoyment, and for many, it means intricate decorations that can compete with those of the festive Christmas season. Across neighborhoods nationwide, homes are turned into eerie displays complete with lights, inflatable specters, and more. For those looking to elevate their Halloween decor, automating these decorations using HomeKit can streamline the process and enhance the overall experience.
## Necessary HomeKit Equipment
To start automating your Halloween decorations, you’ll need a HomeKit hub, like an Apple TV or HomePod. Although it is possible to manage devices without a hub, having one enables you to execute automations and control everything from a distance.
### Smart Plugs for Indoor Decorations
For interior decorations such as illuminated pumpkins or window lights, standard HomeKit smart plugs offer the simplest solution. After connecting, you can control these decorations through Siri, the Home app, or by configuring automations. A typical automation is to program the decorations to activate at sunset, leveraging HomeKit’s ability to determine local sunset times based on your home’s location.
### Outdoor Smart Plugs
When it comes to outdoor decorations, it’s crucial to utilize smart plugs rated for outdoor use. These plugs are built to endure varied weather conditions, making them apt for strobe lights, fog machines, or large inflatable setups. The installation process mirrors that of indoor plugs: connect the decoration to the smart plug, insert the smart plug into an outlet, and add it to HomeKit.
Investing in several outdoor smart plugs can save time and energy, helping you automate your Halloween display and reuse the same equipment for Christmas.
## Setting Up Automations and Scenes
To automate your Halloween decorations, adhere to these steps to create a scene and establish automations for switching the decorations on and off.
### Create a Scene for All Decorations
1. Launch the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the plus icon and select “Add Scene.”
3. Opt for “Custom,” name it “Halloween Night,” and hit “Add Accessories.”
4. Choose your indoor and outdoor smart plugs and any lights you wish to include.
5. Set each accessory to “On,” and then tap “Done” to save the scene.
### Automation 1: Turn On at Sunset
1. Navigate to the Automations section and tap the plus icon.
2. Select “Time of Day Occurs.”
3. Choose “Sunset,” select “Every Day,” and tap “Next.”
4. Opt for “Scenes and Accessories,” select “Halloween Night,” then tap “Next” to finalize.
### Automation 2: Turn Off at 11:00 PM
1. In Automations, tap the plus icon and choose “Time of Day Occurs.”
2. Set the time to 11:00 PM, select “Every Day,” and then tap “Next.”
3. Tap “Choose Scenes and Accessories,” select the same plugs and lights utilized earlier, set each one to “Off,” and tap “Next.”
4. Review the summary, then tap “Done” to save.
With these automations established, your HomeKit-enabled Halloween decorations will automatically activate at sunset and turn off at 11:00 PM, letting you enjoy the festivities without manual effort. You can also manually trigger the “Halloween Night” scene via Control Center, the Home app, or through Siri.
## Conclusion
By following these guidelines to automate your Halloween decorations, you can craft a festive ambiance with minimal hassle. With just a few cost-effective HomeKit smart plugs and straightforward automations, you can brighten your home, inflate your gigantic ghost, and automatically activate your indoor pumpkins. This method not only simplifies your Halloween setup but also enables you to repurpose the same equipment for Christmas by merely renaming the scene. Embrace the magic of a smart home this Halloween!
