When Halloween rolls around, the toothy grin of your hand-carved pumpkin starts to fade. Rather than trashing it, give it a second life by recycling your gourd into another piece of seasonal decor. Alternatively, you can eat the flesh (and seeds) for a nutritious snack that also helps local wildlife. But if the thought of eating raw pumpkin turns your stomach, you can still use your leftover squash for other DIY crafts and recipes.
Pumpkins can be carved into any number of designs, and the more you know about how to carve a pumpkin, the more creative you can be with your design ideas. If you’re a beginner, try carving a simple face or stick with the classic triangle eyes and mouth. For a more intricate look, try using a stencil to create a detailed pattern on your pumpkin before you begin carving. You can also experiment with sculpting a three-dimensional shape from your pumpkin for a more artistic effect.
If you’re not quite ready to carve your pumpkin, turn it into a table decoration by gluing strips of fabric on the front and back for a festive autumn skirt. Or, try making a headband for a costume by hot-gluing a strip of felt to your pumpkin. You can even create a hairpiece for Elvis by attaching plastic film into loops for the King’s famous ‘do.
While the sagging skin of a carved pumpkin can detract from its overall appearance, it can also make it more authentic and spooky. Plus, the wilting can enhance its overall texture and give it an aged, worn appearance that can be used to add a realistic touch to your pumpkin decorating.
In a game like Minecraft, where players can build and decorate their own worlds, the old pumpkin effect is an easy way to evoke a spooky atmosphere. To achieve this look, you can add a small white pumpkin inside a larger orange one to act as the face. You can also add a string of lights to the top of the smaller pumpkin to illuminate your creepy creation.
Another cool way to repurpose a carved pumpkin is by turning it into a haunted house. For example, you can place the top of a toilet paper roll into the bottom of a pumpkin to create an opening for a ghost. You can also paint the outside of a pumpkin to resemble a castle or a haunted house for a Halloween-themed party or dinner.
After Halloween, you can still enjoy your carved pumpkins by donating them to community gardens or zoos to be used as compost or animal feed. You can also eat the flesh and seeds in stews, baked goods and other recipes. But be sure to avoid giving painted pumpkins to animals, as the paint can be toxic if ingested by wildlife. For more pumpkin recipe ideas, click here.