Decorating Pumpkins for the Fall
Pumpkins conjure up spooky, fun Halloween decorations for the fall. The truth is, you can easily decorate a pumpkin for other purposes, too. When the fall harvest is in, buy more than one pumpkin, and go for different sizes. There are so many ways to use pumpkins as decorations throughout the fall season. Small pumpkins are great for decorating your home. Pumpkins symbolize the abundance of a good harvest. Purchase small pumpkins and use them as a table centerpiece. Add votive candles in coordinating colors like brown, yellow, red or orange. Tie small ribbons on each pumpkin's stem and surround the pumpkins and candles with cranberries, gourds, unshelled nuts and peat moss. Larger pumpkins are ideal for Halloween. Trace the pattern or drawing of your choice on the pumpkin's surface. Next, cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin with a sharp knife. Using a large spoon, hollow out the insides of the pumpkin. Use a sharp knife to carve faces, figures and designs. You can put a candle inside of the pumpkin as long as the top of the pumpkin is kept open. A safer alternative is to use small Christmas lights to illustrate the design.
The coolest thing is that you can paint your pumpkin, too, and transform it into anything you like. Use permanent markers or acrylic paint to bring your pumpkin to life as an animal, person, bird or scary Halloween character. Paint a face on your pumpkin and add a hat. Add wings and eyes to make a flying bat. You can also add texture and artistic design to your pumpkin by using adhesive jewels such as rhinestones and crystals. Pumpkins can be used in so many ways, and are far more useful than just being part of a pie. As long as you use your imagination, the sky is the limit!
