by Denise Calaman

Created on: September 08, 2010

With Halloween fast approaching many people will be visiting their local farmers markets and pumpkin patches so that they may find their own “great pumpkin”.  Many of these pumpkins will be carved into jack o’lanterns or other more elaborate design will be carved into their shells.  While these pumpkins are the more traditional way to decorate there are many other ways to decorate a pumpkin to be used as decorations without traditional carving. Here are some unique ways to decorate this year’s pumpkins for Halloween:

 Holy Halloween!-

 For the first design you will need: 

 An electric drill

Different size drill bits

A battery operated multi-colored light

 After cutting a hole in the top of a small pumpkin have an adult use an electric drill and different sized drill bits to make different sized holes all over the pumpkin.  Clean the outer surface of the pumpkin with a wet cloth and then place a battery operated light inside of the pumpkin.  Place the lid on top and watch the beautiful rainbow display shine through the holes. 

 Painted Pumpkins-

 For this type of pumpkin you will need:

 Paint (no water based if the pumpkin is to sit outside)

Brushes

Medium sized pumpkins

Lots of newspaper

 Everyone loves to paint; especially children.  This is probably the easiest way to decorate a pumpkin.  If the weather is warm it may be best to paint pumpkins outdoors.  Otherwise spread lots of newspaper indoors and have the entire family go to town painting their own pumpkins.  A common mistake of many pumpkin painters is using the wrong type of paint.  Make sure if your pumpkins are going to sit outdoors that you use a permanent type of paint.  Water based paint such as many types of house paint and children’s paint will run off in the rain. 

 Witchy Wonder-

 For this witch pumpkin you will need:

 A small felt witches’ hat (available at most craft stores around Halloween)

A square piece of black felt (4x4)

1 small, round pumpkin

1 medium pumpkin

 It is very easy to make a witch from a pumpkin.  Use a medium size pumpkin to be the base of the witch.  Balance the smaller pumpkin on top of the medium pumpkin.  It should fit securely on top but if it’s wobbly use some super glue to hold it in place. Take a black piece of felt and fold down a triangle shape at one of the corners and glue it in place in order to make a witch’s cape.  Glue around the small pumpkin.  Put the witch’s hat on top.  You may want to add extra features such as a broomstick etc.  It is easy to a make a broomstick from a twig and dried grass. 

 Glittery Guords-

 Glittery pumpkins look absolutely beautiful sparkling in the moonlight.  Glitter pumpkins are probably the easiest pumpkins to decorate.  All you need is glue and different colors of glitter.  Go to town throwing glitter all over your pumpkins.  Aerosol spray glue works best for decorating glitter pumpkins.

These are only four great ideas for decorating your pumpkins this year.  There are many more.  You can decorate a pumpkin in just about any way that you can imagine.  Have fun and happy Halloween!   

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