The modern pumpkin’s resume extends beyond the jack o’lantern and provides us with innovative decorations, flavors, art mediums and health benefits that tie into fall as much as the changing of leaves. Read on for inspiring ideas that are sure to “squash” the prior art of arranging them on the doorstep.
- Pumpkin Bird Feeder – Invite feathered friends to the yard by hollowing out the bottom half of a small to medium pumpkin, leaving a 1/2-inch thick wall. You can set it on an outdoor surface for an easyaccess birdseed bowl, or you can add some interest by hanging it. Using twine, yarn or rope (depending on the weight of the feeder), tie two pieces of equal length together at the center. Tack the knot into the bottom center of the pumpkin and bring the four ends together to hang.
- Hanging Jack O’Lantern – Now that you have the hang of suspending your pumpkin, here’s an upgrade to the average jack o’lantern. Hollow out your pumpkin and carve a spooky face with an abnormally large mouth (it will showcase the candle as admirers face it). Hang with a braided plant holder or create a sling by looping three-four separate cords through a metal ring that will hold the pumpkin at its base. Fill the inside of the pumpkin’s base with sand, pebbles or straw. Place a short, pillar candle inside and light for a Halloween lantern that glows through the night (note: consider using a flameless candle to reduce fire hazard).
- Pumpkin Planter – This simple craft brings your pumpkin to ground level and shows off fall plants such as mums, heuchera and sedum. Cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin that will accommodate the size of the pot the plant is in (the plant will cascade over the edges). When you’re finished gutting and carving out the pumpkin, turn it over and cut a drainage hole within the bottom stem. Slip the plant pot into the top and enjoy your crafty fall decoration that stays pretty in the cooler weather.
- Crayon Drip Pumpkin – Remove the labels from the crayon color palette of your choosing. You won’t need to use the entire crayon, so, break each in half and glue them in place, circling the stem of the pumpkin, tip facing out. Apply a hair dryer on high heat to each crayon. Be patient and avoid splatter by having it on a low setting. It can take up to 30 minutes for all the crayons to melt, but it ends with a colorful piece of fall art of your making.
- Monogram Pumpkin – Personalize your pumpkin by branding it with your initials. Paint will give you unlimited color and design options. You can carve a personal design by first drawing or printing it on paper scaled to the desired size. Tape it onto the pumpkin and poke holes that go through the paper and puncture the pumpkin so you can connect the dots when you remove the paper. The monogram pumpkin is less limited to Halloween and can find harmony with Thanksgiving decor as well. Now, about those insides…
- Pumpkin Recipes – There are enough pumpkin recipes to fill a cookbook (and flood the Internet). French toast, pancakes, soup, bread, purée, butter, lattes, lasagna and fabulous pumpkin pie are only some of the cooking creations pumpkin stars in. Don’t let the deliciousness of those recipes fool you into guilt-ridden consumption. Pumpkin provides excellent health benefits as a good source of fiber and antioxidants along with aiding in weight loss, skin maintenance, and eyesight. Go ahead and pile on the pancakes. It’s for your health, after all.
- Pumpkin Face Mask – Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins A, C and E along with zinc, which makes it excellent for your skin by fighting acne while smoothing and softening skin.Take 2 cups of pureed, freshly cooked or canned pumpkin and mix with 4 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Add 1/3 cup of ground almonds and 1/4 teaspoons of olive oil. Mix well, apply to skin and let sit for 5-10 minutes before washing your face clean.
- Brew Pumpkin Beer – You know it’s autumn when pumpkin beer starts appearing on draft, but in colonial times pumpkin was a common ingredient to many brews, regardless of the season. Spices like cinnamon, vanilla bean, ginger and nutmeg make it a seasonal sip that reflects the feeling of fall.
- Pumpkin Smoothie – Take the health benefits of pumpkin on the go by whipping up a pumpkin smoothie. This healthy treat carries loads of vitamins, potassium and fiber. Jack up the protein by adding protein powder, quinoa or flaxseed to make it a beneficial, morning meal. It will also mix deliciously with banana and coconut milk. Try adding fresh mint as a garnish for an extra refreshing morning.
- Pumpkin Seed Art – Pumpkin seeds are more than a great snack plentiful with magnesium. They work as an artistic medium with a classier finish compared to macaroni art. The final masterpiece can be as simple or intricate as the artist wants. Create a mosaic by painting the seeds with a small brush before placing them or use their shape and paste leaves falling from a painted tree. Search online for jewelry creations. You’ll be amazed at the art people make with these little guys.
- Food for Animals – The inevitable time will come to dispose of your precious pumpkin, but it can live on by helping the earth as compost or becoming a nutritious treat for farm and zoo animals. Farmers, zookeepers and animal rescue shelters will happily accept your post-Halloween pumpkins.
