Halloween is just a couple of weeks away!  It’s the perfect time to grab your kiddies and friends to have a pumpkin party!!

Here is a twist on decorating your pumpkins this year………they can double as party centerpieces too:)

To start, select a pie sized pumpkin with a level bottom (this keeps it stable).

Next, cut the top off, like you were going to carve the pumpkin.  Scoop out all the innards (seeds and mush:)).

You have now created a “container” for the flowers you are going to add in the following steps.

Purchase a brick of floral foam from your local craft store (make sure it is for fresh flowers, not dried).  Cut the foam to a size that will fit in the hole you made in your pumpkin.  Next, fill a bucket, or your sink, with water and a little floral food (the packets that come with fresh flower bouquets).  Place the foam on top of the water and allow it to fill/sink on its own to insure the foam is wet all the way through.  Take a food baggie, place it inside the pumpkin cavity (this will help insure there are no leaks), then place the wet foam piece inside the bag.

Remove the part of the baggie that is above the pumpkin edge by cutting it with scissors.  Before you begin arranging your flowers, take time to give your pumpkin a “face”.  I purchased pre-made foam stickers from the hobby store, but you could use, paint, markers, or whatever your little heart desires, to give your pumpkin pal a personality!

Now you are ready to begin adding flowers!  Select a variety of fall flowers and foliage, like chrysanthemums and leaves.  Either pre-cut the stems, or give the kiddos a pair of scissors to cut stems, around 2-3 inches in length.

Gently insert the stems into the foam far enough for the flower to be stable and drink (at least an inch).

My little one created this with queen annes lace, button mums, a gerbera daisy and greens.  I attached the pumpkin lid (beret?) with a u-shaped floral wire I poked through the lid, then into the foam.

This one could be a dog, or a rocker?  Croton leaves, button mums, argonia.

For a more grown-up party this simple centerpiece is made with an interesting gourd that I flipped upside down, cut the bottom point off of, and filled with button mums, gerbera daisies, a croton leaf and a couple pieces of curly willow.

We had so much fun creating our pumpkin pals.  My hubby and I will be using this for our October craft with the nature group we lead at our local children’s hospital……I can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Give it a try!!

REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!