A pumpkin is a symbol of fall and its plain orange rind begs for decorations. However, that rind is tough and a pumpkin’s interior is not pleasant to deal with, so many people forgo using the orange-skinned symbol of autumn and Halloween in their fall decorating. Nowhere is the DIY decorating rule book does it state that a pumpkin must be carved and gutted in order to be used in fall décor. Head for the pumpkin patch (and leave the carving knife in the drawer) and use these easy ways to decorate with pumpkins this fall.
Stack’em
Nothing could be easier than this decorative idea, just stack’em and forget about them. Select short, colorful heirloom pumpkins with flat tops and wipe down the exterior with a disinfecting wipe to remove debris. Use them during Holiday buffets to hold platters of food at varying heights, as a base to hold potted mums or stack three of them on top of each other to create a topiary. Saw off the stem if necessary.
Blooming Pumpkin
Create a unique Holiday dinner centerpiece with a pumpkin and pot of mums. Wipe down the pumpkin’s exterior wipe a disinfecting wipe, then use awl and hammer to poke holes two inches apart on the top two-thirds of the pumpkin. Make sure the holes go all the way through the rind and flesh. Snip individual, fully opened mum blooms from the plant, leaving 2-3 inches of stem, and place a stem in each hole to create a blooming pumpkin table centerpiece. Place blooming pumpkin on a serving platter or elevated cake plate for added drama.
Tack Them
Upholstery tacks are sturdy enough to go through the tough pumpkin rind and create a pattern of your choice. Draw out a pattern or freehand the design and poke upholstery tacks (pre-make the holes with an awl if needed before placing tacks) to create the design. Use a white pumpkin and black tacks for a dramatic effect.
Painted Fall Décor
Painting polka dots, stripes, squares or faces on a pumpkin is an easy decorative idea. Just grab a some acrylic paint and a brush and paint your pumpkin anyway you want. Paint several and group them together for fall décor.
Etched Pumpkins
Etch a design or house number into the rind of a pumpkin using an etching tool. Select a carving pumpkin for this decorative idea as they have softer rind and will makes the etching easier. Draw or copy the design onto the pumpkin and etch it out. Wipe down the pumpkin’s exterior wipe a disinfecting wipe and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the etching to slow down the decaying process.
