As Halloween is only weeks away, pumpkins have begun to make their appearance everywhere. Traditionally, pumpkins are set out as front porch decoration or carved and lit up, but pumpkins are versatile and can be used for multiple things.  

To begin with, pumpkins are vessels for limitless possibilities of decoration. They can be painted, carved, and even glued. They can be painted to match the fall décor already adorning one’s home or a canvas for toddler finger painting. Googly eyes, ribbon, or scrapbook paper can be glued on to finish the masterpiece.  A fun twist can be spun on the classic pumpkin carving. It can be a fun family night or a contest between friends. Mix it up even more by switching pumpkins halfway through. People also forget that pumpkins make great bowls. Mini pumpkins can serve as candlestick holders and bigger ones can serve as flower vases.  

Though pumpkins make incredibly cute décor, they do not have to stay intact to be of use. The range of pumpkin food is only limited to one’s own imagination. The list of pumpkin food can go on forever: pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin oatmeal, and pumpkin hot chocolate. That list does not even include the weird ones. Even the seeds can be used for several things: roasting, arts and crafts, toppings for salads or soups, and an addition to granola. Before destroying, these pumpkins can make for cute photoshoots. Whether at the pumpkin patch or on one’s front porch, pumpkins make the perfect addition to a fall family photo. More unconventional photo opportunities include shoving a baby or puppy inside to snap a few cute pics or even the trending pumpkin head photo shoot.  

Even after Halloween is over, pumpkins still prove to be of use. Their destruction can be a stress reliever or a fun challenge to come up with ways to destroy them via catapults, hammers, throwing, etc. After, pumpkins can be planted for next year, placed in compost, or just left out for wildlife.