Alternatives to Carving Pumpkins for Halloween Displays

There are alternatives to carving pumpkins for your Halloween and fall displays, if you so choose. Jack-O-Lanterns are a tradition for many people. They look for the 'perfect' pumpkin for carving, but times are changing. With money tight, it seems a waste to buy a pumpkin, carve it and then toss it in the trash November first. Why not try something different this year with your Halloween Pumpkin. Don't carve it, decorate it and save it for pie!

There are many ways you can decorate a Halloween Pumpkin. Use these tips and then let your imagination run wild!

Paint

If you have a set of water paints, you are ahead of the game. If not, stop at the Dollar Store and pick up some washable paints or even markers. Let the kids draw the face on the pumpkin with a pencil. Then they can go back and paint it. If they are real young, mom may have to help a little. Let the kids use the colors they like, even if they go with a purple mouth or yellow eyes!

Construction Paper

Black might be traditional, but let them use whatever color they want. Cut out eyes, nose, lips, etc. and use some white glue to place them on the pumpkin. Again, mom, you might need to help with the scissors for this one.

Felt

Cut out facial features from pieces of colored felt and glue to the pumpkin. You don't have to have a face on your pumpkin. Let the kids decide how to decorate the pumpkin. Maybe they would like to cut out flowers for their pumpkin. Have fun with it, there are no rules.

Odds-n-Ends

If you have a scrap bag of Odds-n-Ends, let the kids pick out what they want to use on their pumpkin. Make hair from pipe cleaners or yarn. Buttons make nice eyes. Try a scrap of lace for a necklace. Once you get going, you'll be sure to come up with lots of ideas.

Leaves, Twigs and Acorns

Since the leaves are falling off of the trees, why not use some to decorate a pumpkin? Use smaller leaves for eyes and a big one for the nose. You can even glue on some twigs for the mouth. I'm sure you can think of a way to use some acorns as a necklace for Mrs. Pumpkin.

By following these suggestions you eliminate the mess of carving a pumpkin and you will be saving the pumpkin for other uses - pie tops the list!

Be sure to work on a surface that you can easily clean. Better yet, work outside on a patio or deck. If need be, you can always hose off the remains! And don't leave the little ones alone while they are working on their pumpkins. Accidents can happen with scissors, so you need to offer help and assistance.

By using one or more of the above methods, you have saved the pumpkin from the trash heap. Now you can use that pumpkin for a pie and you can roast the seeds for a snack.

Here is a recipe for a pumpkin pie that tells you how to clean it and cook it. Don't forget to roast the seeds, check out this recipe. Even if you decide to carve your pumpkin, you can still roast the seeds.

Enjoy your carve-less pumpkin and then when you are finished with it as a decoration you can have a slice of homemade pie! What a treat!

Source:

Personal experience

Simplyrecipes.com