Ever look at a pile of pumpkins and think, "What now?"
Sure, you’ve carved a jack-o'-lantern, made some pies, but the pumpkins keep piling up. Don’t toss them just yet!
Pumpkins are way more versatile than you think. From creating stunning DIY projects to boosting your beauty routine, they can do so much more than sit on your porch or end up in your soup.
We're sharing 23 unexpected ways to use those pumpkins – pure creative genius. Ready to make the most out of every single one? Let’s get started!
1. Experiment with New Pumpkin Recipes
What better time to experiment with new recipes than when you have a surplus of free ingredients?
You can make practically anything out of that yummy pumpkin flesh. From pumpkin bread to soup, pancakes to fries, and even ice cream!
With so many recipes available online, it'd be a shame not to try some of them.
Try making pumpkin pastries or pastas.
2. Add Shredded Pumpkin to Food
Not keen on following specific recipes? No worries! Your pumpkin can still shine in the kitchen.
Simply grate some pumpkin into cakes, stir-fries, soups, or breads for a unique twist.
Just be mindful of the moisture it introduces, as grated pumpkin can affect the liquid balance in your dishes. Once you adjust for that, endless culinary adventures await.
Bonus: By incorporating pumpkin, you're enriching your meals with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber – a delicious and nutritious boost!
3. Mix Up a Delightful Beverage
Pumpkin spice lattes are a popular drink during the fall and colder seasons. If you love this drink, you'd be delighted to know that you can easily make them at home!
The recipe below for homemade pumpkin latte calls for fresh pumpkin puree - just what you have plenty of!
Here's a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe inspired by Starbucks' classic:
Then, there are numerous pumpkin shake recipes to try. From healthy vegan pumpkin smoothies to decadent pumpkin pie shakes, you'll be having healthier beverages without the guilt.
You can also try a glorious ice-cream-based pumpkin milkshake.
4. Can Away!
If your garden yielded a large number of pumpkins or a number of large pumpkins - kudos!
You may find it difficult to use all of the produce in one season, but the good news is that pumpkins can be canned.
You can search online and learn the secrets to successfully preserving your leftover pumpkin.
5. Share the Love
As the season of giving approaches, consider offering your fresh produce of pumpkins to friends, family, and neighbors.
Better yet, offer them a freshly baked pumpkin pie, which will surely be appreciated.
Bonus: Depending on the type of pumpkin you have, print out a small leaflet with recipes to include with your pumpkin gift!
6. Use Pumpkins as Soup Bowls
If your crop consists of pumpkins in various sizes, you may be able to turn them into serving dishes.
To do this, take out the seeds and brush the inside of the pumpkin with olive oil. Then grill until you have a nice crust inside. Fill it with thick, creamy soup right before serving time.
Buttercup squash pumpkins, or Turban Squash varieties can make gorgeous soup bowls.
A knucklehead pumpkin could make a good serving dish and will surely be an interesting point of conversation over the dinner table.
7. Turn Pumpkin into a Vase
If you have a thick-skinned pumpkin or squash of the right size, you could turn it into a flower vase.
Remove the seeds and flesh and fill it up with water. Place some flowers and put your new vase on display. It's a temporary vase, of course, but very seasonal!
8. Add Pumpkins to Hanging Baskets
No, we're not suggesting that you use pumpkins as hanging baskets.
But if you have a good plant container hanging outside your house walls, why not fill them up with a few miniature pumpkins?
This will work best if you already have a few plants already inside the container.
For a more dramatic effect, the bottom of the container should be covered with reindeer moss.
It’s wild and rustic look will contrast the uniform, shiny luster of the pumpkin.
9. Guess the Seeds in a Pumpkin Game
Need to keep kids busy? Take a fairly large pumpkin and create a guessing contest, challenging kids to guess exactly how many seeds it contains.
In fact, adults are likely to want to try their luck at guessing too.
Once you write down everyone's guesses, cut open the pumpkin and help the kids scoop the contents into a strainer.
Wash the seeds and then let the kids spend their time trying to count them.
Pin the game to save for later:
10. Fill Old Lanterns with Pumpkins
Another bright idea (literally) is to turn stack miniature pumpkins inside old lanterns.
Carve a face on the pumpkin and illuminate it with LED lights to make it look really creepy. Adjust brightness settings in order to make the pumpkins more visible.
11. Build a Miniature Pumpkin Wall
Create a fun and eye-catching display by stacking miniature pumpkins into a charming pyramid.
Use at least four pumpkins of varying colors to add visual interest and texture.
For best results, choose pumpkins in different shapes and shades, stacking them carefully to create a sturdy and artistic arrangement.
12. Fill Up the Fireplace
If your fireplace is taking a break from the flames, turn it into a stunning seasonal display. Fill it with pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors for a cozy look.
Don’t worry if you only have orange pumpkins—get creative with some paint to add different hues and textures for a truly eye-catching arrangement.
Bonus tip: To make your pumpkin-filled fireplace even more magical, weave in some soft, twinkling string lights around the pumpkins.
13. Arrange Them on a Staircase
This works best if you have pumpkins of different colors. Place each pumpkin on each step, make sure they are aligned well.
14. Create a Beautiful Pumpkin Pathway
Transform your entryway with a magical pumpkin-lined pathway.
For this project, you’ll need around 20 to 30 pumpkins, depending on the length of your path.
Arrange them along the walkway to your front door for a warm, autumnal welcome.
To elevate the look, sprinkle vibrant autumn leaves between the pumpkins for an extra touch of charm. It’s a delightful way to celebrate the season and impress your guests.
15. Paint with Golden Luster
You can add tons of flair to your pumpkin by painting the skin in shimmery gold.
Better yet, you can slightly dab the surface with the brush so that the paint slowly drips below. This creates a natural texture that looks appealing.
Whether you fully coat the surface with gold or paint it halfway, the pumpkin will look like the perfect centerpiece in your living room.
16. Wrap the Pumpkin in Bandages
Want to make your pumpkin extra creepier for Halloween? Wrap it up in strips of gauze or bandages.
In order to make the strips stick to the surface, you may need to use hot glue and two buttons to serve as the pumpkin’s eyes.
17. Create a Polka Dot Pumpkin
Paint the pumpkin in white or any dark color. Then, draw round circles in a color that contrasts the pumpkin’s newly painted color.
A good alternative is to buy a few uniformly round stickers and then stick them around the surface of the pumpkin. The result isn’t creepy, but fun.
18. Give Your Pumpkin a Warm Wrap
Got an old sweater lying around? Give your pumpkins a cozy makeover.
As the weather cools, you can repurpose those unused sweaters by turning them into snug pumpkin wraps.
To do this, cut the sweater into sections that fit around your pumpkin, then stretch and secure the fabric for a soft, textured look. It’s a fun and unique way to add a warm, autumnal touch to your decor!
19. Create a Family Handprint Pumpkin
Turn your pumpkin into a special keepsake by adding handprints from your family (or friends).
Use different paint colors for each handprint to make the design pop.
For a sweet touch, layer smaller handprints (like the kids') over the larger ones, creating a beautiful, multicolored collage of memories.
Bonus tip: Write the names and ages (or dates) next to each handprint using a fine-tip paint pen. This will turn your pumpkin into a timeless keepsake that captures the memory of each family member for years to come.
20. Design Stylish Two-Toned Pumpkins
For a chic and minimalist touch to your fall decor, try decorating pumpkins with a modern two-toned design.
Choose contrasting colors like black and white, gold and white, or classic orange and black to give your pumpkins a sleek and elegant look.
Experiment with pumpkins of different sizes to create an eye-catching display that adds a touch of sophistication to your seasonal setup.
21. Carve a One-Pumpkin-Eating-Another Design
It’s a pumpkin-eat-pumpkin world out there. This is a very creative idea but it will require expert carving skills.
For starters, you will need a miniature pumpkin and a normal sized pumpkin.
Carve a sinister looking mouth two eyes on the larger pumpkin. Now carve a sad face on the miniature pumpkin and place it on the ‘teeth’ of the larger pumpkin.
22. Carve a Classic Jack-O'-Lantern
When it comes to pumpkins, you can never go wrong with the traditional jack-o'-lantern.
This timeless design, featuring triangular eyes, a triangle nose, and a wide, toothy grin, captures the essence of Halloween with its simple yet iconic look.
It’s a fun, no-frills approach. For added ambiance, place a candle or LED light inside your pumpkin to cast a warm, flickering glow.
23. Save Seeds for Next Year
Don’t let those pumpkin seeds go to waste! After enjoying your pumpkins, set some seeds aside for next year's garden.
Saving and replanting your own seeds is a rewarding way to continue the pumpkin tradition year after year.
To prepare the seeds, simply scoop them out, clean off any pulp, and let them dry completely.
Once dried, store them in a cool, dry place until planting season arrives.
Growing pumpkins from your own harvested seeds connects you to the full cycle of gardening and adds a personal touch to next year’s harvest.
Plus, it's a great way to ensure you'll always have pumpkins on hand for future projects!
Which Ideas Have You Tried?
Leave us a comment to let us know which of these suggestions is your favorite!
And if you have additional ideas, that's even better - let us know about them all!
For more information on how to successfully grow pumpkins, read here:
10 Best Liquid Fertilizers For Pumpkins
700 lb Giant Pumpkin Grows Before Your Eyes In 30-Second Time Lapse Video
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