This time of year, everyone remembers why they love fall more than any other season: sweater weather, bonfires, football, fluffy clouds overhead, crunchy leaves underfoot and… pumpkin guts? There are two primary reasons why this disgusting aspect of the world’s finest season should be removed. First, the guts: ew. Second, orange. Just no. Now that we’re on the same page, I suggest that we celebrate the season with its most iconic fruit without its ugliest traits. So in honor of all things (not) orange, here are some creative ways to decorate a pumpkin (without simply carving a face into it).
Pumpkin Paint Projects
*CHALKBOARD: *
This is a super simple step to get rid of that unappealing color with a surface that allows for more creativity later! First, choose classic black chalkboard paint for a spooky finish. One to two coats of paint, plus a few hours of dry time, and you can scribble all over this stylish squash to your heart’s content. A squiggly “BOO!” is the perfect phrase to start your chalk calligraphy.
*CRAYON DRIP: *
Probably the most unique and customizable, this style is also easier than it looks! Just paint the pumpkin a solid color; black and white look nice with colorful crayons, but mix it up with trendy gold or silver gloss as a backdrop. Glue crayon halves (or thirds, depending on pumpkin size) near the stem. Crank up your hairdryer and let abstract autumn flow. Select fall tones to make it look like an enchanted forest scene with falling leaves.
*GLOW-IN-THE-DARK: *
Mimicking the classic candle-lit Jack-o-Lantern, this style is dorm room-friendly with no knife required! To make a luminescent Jack-o’-Lantern face, paint half of the pumpkin with a white base coat to create an even surface. Layer a few coats of glow-in-the-dark paint, then make a face with stickers or masking tape. Paint the whole thing a fun color, let dry, peel the tape off and admire your glowing artistic skills.
Guts And Glory
*ICE BUCKET: *
Festive and practical, this adorable ice bucket is great for Halloween parties. Though it will get your fingers a little gooey, you’re not just carving a boring, lopsided Jack-o’-Lantern. You are creating a practical storage space for your autumn cider and homebrew collection. Cut the top one-third off the biggest, widest pumpkin you can find (keep the top for a lid). Clean out the innards, add ice and drinks and you’ve got a new cooler. You can also add dry ice instead for a cauldron smoke effect that will wow your party guests. For extra crafty points, add chalkboard paint as a label for what’s inside.
CANDLE HOLDER:
For some extra seasonal ambiance, these pumpkin candles can set the mood while hopefully not setting anything aflame. Grab a small candle of your favorite fall scent and some smaller gourds close in size, cut out a space for the candle to sit in and make sure the pumpkin is cleaned out thoroughly. Then set your candle inside, light it up and enjoy your new candleholder.
If you stick to these decorating tricks, you’ll have the best Halloween treats on the hall.
