In a previous blog I provided tips on what to do with all that leftover Halloween candy. Well, how about those leftover Halloween pumpkins (not the ready carved jack-o’-lanterns—those will disintegrate on their own if you leave them out long enough). I’m talking about all those un-carved pumpkins that you just couldn’t resist purchasing in the days leading up to Halloween. (Two days before Halloween our local Wal-Mart was selling pumpkins for a dollar—today they are down to 50 cents.)
Here are some tips that will allow you to take advantage of those cheap pumpkins, while adding a touch of fall to your home’s décor.
Pumpkin Vases. Simply cut off the top of a medium or large size pumpkin, gut it, and drop in a vase filled with flowers that reflect the season. Orange, yellow, and peach flowers (carnations, mums, etc.) look beautiful accented with forest green leaves, a couple of tiny branches, and even a few gold and burnt sienna maple leaves from your own yard. You can use the pumpkin vase as a centerpiece on your dining room table or place it on your mantle.
Pumpkin Candleholders. Mini pumpkins and gourds make the ideal holders for small votive candles. Simply cut off the top of the pumpkins or gourds and scoop out the guts. Then, place a mini votive candle inside. You could line an entire table runner with the pumpkins and eat dinner by candlelight or place a row of them on a windowsill or mantle to add a festive glow to an ordinary room.
Pumpkin Light Covers. My neighbor found an interesting way to make use of those plastic pumpkin buckets that kids use to trick-or-treat (they are currently on sale at Wal-Mart for 44 cents). He is using them as covers for his outdoor lights. You may have to have just the right size light to make this work, but basically, he faced the printed side of the plastic pumpkin towards his garage door and placed the plastic pumpkins over the floodlights that illuminate his driveway and walkway. He secured the pumpkins to the base of the light with two wires and now when his lights are on they cast a festive orange glow on visitors.
Related Articles:
Ideas For Leftover Halloween Candy
Do Something Different with Pumpkins