Most of us share the annual tradition of going to the pumpkin patch. Every fall, we trek through muddy fields in rubber boots and sweaters, drink hot apple cider, and hopefully discover the perfect pumpkin to take home, carve, and leave on our front porches for months to come.
The downside of the pumpkin-carving process, however, is the messiness it entails: anyone who has gutted a pumpkin knows that the pumpkin-carving tradition, while fun and certainly nostalgic, is never a clean affair. As busy college students living in a small apartment, my suitemates and I were not sure if we would have the time/motivation to clean pumpkin guts off our kitchen floor. What is a girl with a love of pumpkins but a passionate hatred for cleaning up pumpkin guts to do?!?
Fortunately, the alternatives to pumpkin-carving are virtually limitless. The age of Pinterest and DIY has yielded a plethora of pumpkin-decorating options that will make the crafty clean-freaks of the world rejoice. Behold, 6 cheap and chic ways to decorate your pumpkin, squash, and/or gourd of choice.
1. Paint and Glitter (or 2-in-1: Glitter Paint!)
This is always a fun and easy option. Cover your pumpkin in paint and add glitter afterwards if you’re not as concerned with clean-up (if so, you’re a brave soul – glitter gets on EVERYTHING). You can also apply a lighter layer of paint and let some of the pumpkin’s natural colors and bumps shine through
(http://www.safebee.com/family/6-easy-diy-no-carve-pumpkin-decorating-ideas)
2. Temporary Tattoos
This ingenious idea presents a number of exciting options for those who are lacking in the departments of time and/or artistic ability. Personally, when I think of temporary tattoos, I think of the tattoos that used to come in Trix cereal boxes (anyone else??), but you can opt for more “grown-up” tattoos depending on the theme you want to achieve.
(http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g1714/no-carve-pumpkin-decorating/)
3. Painter’s Tape and Paint
Painter’s tape is a blessing to those who can’t paint a straight line to save their souls (myself included). You can copy a cool design that you find online, or come up with your own!
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/193514115214559834/)
4. Glow Paint
It exists! This is a super easy option, regardless of whether or not you’re an artist. You can use a stencil or freehand the design, but either way, your pumpkin will light up a room.
(http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g1714/no-carve-pumpkin-decorating/)
5. Lace or Flower “Sash”
Head to a nearby craft store (or Amazon Prime…) and pick up some lacy material and/or fake flowers. Apply some adhesive spray and/or sticky glue to your pumpkin, add the lace/ flowers, and voila! Sophisticated spooky.
(http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g1714/no-carve-pumpkin-decorating/)
(http://www.17apart.com/2013/10/diy-pumpkin-decorating-golden-doily.html)
6. Au Naturale
Let’s be real: sometimes it’s the easiest (and cheapest!) to leave your pumpkin bare. The Safeway by Gonzaga has a variety of warty-gourds to pick and choose from. The warts are pretty endearing without any additional adornments!
(http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/10/photo-of-the-day-warty-pumpkins.html)