Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Side Hustle: How to Profit from Chris Koerner’s $600 Complaint

Chris Koerner recently tweeted about paying $600 for a simple pumpkin setup, pointing out that it literally took the lady five minutes to arrange them. With a whole pallet of pumpkins costing just $165 delivered, this exposes a huge gap between cost and perceived value—and that’s exactly where your side hustle can thrive.

Here’s how to turn this opportunity into a profitable Halloween business.

Step 1: Source Cheap Pumpkins & Props

• Buy pumpkins in bulk: ~$165 for a full pallet.
• Grab inexpensive decorations: fairy lights, cobwebs, small props.
• Focus on ready-to-go aesthetic setups that look premium but cost very little.

Step 2: Build Premium Packages

• Basic Package: 5 pumpkins + simple setup
• Premium Package: 10+ pumpkins, themed props, lights, and photo-ready arrangement
• Price packages based on perceived value, not cost—your setup can easily justify $35–$50 per pumpkin.

Step 3: Market Locally & Online

• Post before/after photos on X, Instagram, and local Facebook groups.
• Target: busy parents, influencers, small businesses, and anyone wanting photo-ready Halloween décor.
• Reference Chris Koerner’s X post as a pain point: “Tired of paying $600 for 5 minutes of setup? We do it better, cheaper, and prettier.”

Step 4: Maximize Revenue

• Charge per pumpkin or per full setup ($200–$400 per home).
• Offer DIY kits or tutorials as upsells.
• Consider themed props or social media photoshoots as add-ons.

Step 5: Scale & Repeat

• Start small with 5–10 clients in your neighborhood.
• Encourage social sharing to create local virality.
• Expand to corporate offices, storefronts, or event venues for higher-ticket setups.

Why This Side Hustle Works

• Minimal upfront cost, high perceived value.
• Leverages social proof and urgency around Instagram-ready décor.
• Capitalizes on real frustrations—people like Chris Koerner are essentially complaining about wasted money, creating the perfect marketing hook.

💡 Pro Tip: Frame your marketing around effortless wow factor: “Spend $50, get a $600 look”—highlight the contrast between cost and results to push urgency and FOMO.