No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Paint is just one way to decorate a pumpkin without carving it.

Pumpkins aren't only made to be carved. Thinking outside the traditional carving ideas for pumpkins opens to door to let creativity flow. You can find many ways to decorate a pumpkin without having to deal with the messy insides, and the fun part is guests will love your ideas so much, they'll want to use them themselves.

Painted Pumpkins

Paint is a quick and easy way to decorate a pumpkin, regardless of what you want it to look like. Painted pumpkins last longer and you are only limited by your imagination when painting them. Go for traditional jack-o'-lantern faces or try more happy and expressive faces. Don't stop with painting faces, though. Paint blocks of color or go with an abstract design, from spider webs to swirls. Use dimensional pint and cover the pumpkin with glitter for an added festive flair.

Stacked Pumpkins

Pumpkin stacks, towers or topiaries are always festive and original. Use a variety of pumpkins with flat tops that will stack easily. Start with the largest pumpkin and stack pumpkins in graduating sizes. Top with a colorful gourd if you like. Attach the pumpkins with hot glue to keep them from shifting. Decorate stack as desired or simply leave them plain for a warm look.

Ribbons Galore

Ribbons add dashes of color that brighten any Halloween or Thanksgiving decor. Use colors of the season to make a visual statement. Glue different types of black and write ribbons around the center of miniature pumpkins and fill a basket with them. For larger pumpkins, glue ribbon and rickrack down the sides, beginning at the stem and working down to the bottom of the pumpkin.

Sticker Mania

Dress up any pumpkin quickly with stickers. They add a decorative touch to both painted or natural pumpkins, and there's no reason not to go all out when decorating. Stickers come is all shapes, sizes and textures, so use whichever types you love. Look for glow-in-the dark stickers to add a special ambiance once evening arrives.

Votive Holders

Miniature pumpkins make decorative votive candleholders once you snap the stem from the pumpkins. Consider using glass votive holders to keep wax messes at bay. Pins inserted on the top of the pumpkin keep the votives secure.

References

• Good Housekeeping: No Carve Pumpkins
• Better Homes and Gardens: Easy No-Carve Halloween Pumpkins