Contributed by Jennifer Andrews, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
Decorating for the fall and Halloween is incomplete without the addition of pumpkins to your seasonal and holiday décor.
Pumpkins conjure up warm and comforting images of filling seasonal soups and breads in addition to the obvious images of Halloween costumes and magic. Have fun pumpkin decorating this year by trying one of these top 10 creative and inventive ideas to get you and your family started.
10. Carving your pumpkin
Try carving your pumpkin this year instead of only drawing on images for a fun twist. Adults should use a sharp knife for carving and follow safety protocol. Avoid giving sharp, dangerous objects to kids. Rather, have kids participate by planning the specific carving shape they desire, such as a toothy grin, star-lit eyes or carving out the simple phrase “Happy Halloween” or “Boo!”
9. Painting your pumpkin
Use a variety of bright and dark paint colors to illicit a fun and spooky pumpkin image. Draw an image on your pumpkin first such as lips and then paint them a bright red color or try painting black and yellow streaks around your pumpkin for a stimulating visual contrast.
8. Create a collage
Create a collage with your pumpkin by surrounding it with several smaller pumpkins on your front doorstep or in a large wicker basket. This quick and easy decorating idea is ideal to display throughout the fall season.
7. Light it up
Place a plug-in or battery-operated candle or light in your carved out, hollowed pumpkin to light it up. Avoid using real candles or anything that could start a fire if not watched carefully or left for extended periods of time.
6. Accessorize with jewelry
Use jewelery to decorate your pumpkin and jazz it up. Bright and glittery necklaces can be draped around the exterior of the pumpkin or try gluing or taping older, fake jewels and crystal beads on the outside shell.
5. Create a person
Decorate your pumpkin as a person by drawing eyes, nose, mouth and ears. You can increase the appeal by placing an old mop head for the “person’s” hair on top of the pumpkin and adding an old pair of flashy sunglasses.
4. Wrap it up
Wrap a scarf around your pumpkin to give it character and keep it playfully warm during cooler evenings. Use a bright, feathery scarf and wrap around the top like a headband or tie a pretty pink ribbon or sheer lace into a bow to give it a sweetheart effect.
3. Add hay or grass
Surround your pumpkin with a pile or small bale of hay that you can get fake from a store or real from a local farmer or orchard. Straw grass, or hay, creates a fall festive feel that is earthy and stays true to the season.
2. Create a pumpkin tree
Pile pumpkins on top of each other starting with the largest at the bottom and adding smaller ones on top. This creates a tree-like, snowman or tower effect that is fun and playful.
1. Mark it up
You don’t need paint to adorn your pumpkin with fun images. Rather, a large black marker can create facial shapes, spooky grins and black eyes. Alternatively, use a marker to write out the name of your family such as “The Watsons” to welcome guests at your front door.