Fall Party Decorating Ideas

Grab a couple of pumpkins, gourds, crisp fall apples and lots of beautifully colored leaves to make these beautiful bowls and name card holders for your next fall party. A big pumpkin bowl is great for serving cold drinks, and you can use a smaller pumpkin for dips or veggies.

To make a pumpkin dip bowl, cut the top off a small pumpkin. It's best to do this at or just above the widest part of the pumpkin. You won't need the seeds or the top for this project, but you can always save them for roasting later.

Scrape down the inside of your pumpkin until you are left with only the firm, pale yellow flesh. Cut the flesh away from the top edge of your pumpkin bowl to create the illusion that the walls are thin. You can leave the top flat, or you can cut decorative scallops or other shapes into the top of your pumpkin.

If you'd like to add a little extra flourish, you can add detail to your pumpkin with pumpkin carving tools. Carve out little decorative designs or create a full jack-o'-lantern! Just be sure to only carve away the skin of the pumpkin. If you carve all the way through your bowl won't hold be watertight.