Halloween Pumpkins: Faux Can Be Fabulous

Forget fresh! For crafty Halloween pumpkins you can display year after year, faux is your new best friend.

By: H. Camille Smith

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When it comes to Halloween pumpkins, I think many of you seasoned crafters will agree with me when I say that faux can be fabulous. Oh, I know, there are always pumpkin purists who like the squishy sensation of pumpkin innards oozing through their fingertips (You know who you are!) or prefer the look of a real pumpkin or choose real so they can roast the seeds — tasty recipe here, btw — but my personal choice is faux.

Why, you ask? Because, quite honestly, I am a project-aholic. At any given time, I have too many projects started and not enough time to finish them all, so when I buckle down and take the time to bling out a pumpkin, I want my hard work to be displayable for many years to come. If you're like me, our Halloween feature is hooking you up with lots of creative ideas for faux pumpkins. Here are 5 of my faves:

Go for the Glitz

Thanksgiving Metallic Pumpkin Decorations

Add a little glam to your Thanksgiving decorations with these painted pumpkins. Autumn inspired metallic paints will dress up any table for the season.

From: Marian Parsons

Give faux pumpkins a glamorous makeover with gold, silver and copper leaf to add just the right amount of sparkle to any indoor fall display or Halloween centerpiece. Bonus: You can later incorporate these glitzy gourds into your Thanksgiving decor.

Make This: Glam, Metallic Pumpkins

Carve-Free Kitties

Black Cat Pumpkins

Welcome trick-or-treaters and Halloween guests with a litter of black cat pumpkins. These carve-free kitties are easy to craft, making them a fun project for older children or small kids with a little help from a crafty adult.

Use basic craft supplies — like paint, felt and pipe cleaners — to make a whole litter of these lucky black cats. You can use fresh pumpkins, if you prefer, but these friendly felines are so cute that faux pumpkins are a better bet so you can display them year after year.

Make This: Black Cat Pumpkins

Seasonal Server

Double Duty Pumpkin

Let your pumpkin work double duty as fabulous fall decor and a totally adorable candy dish. Real or faux, this pumpkin is sure to bring a smile to a trick-or-treater's face.

©Layla Palmer

Layla Palmer

Cut a faux pumpkin in half to create a lidded container for serving Halloween candy. The waterproof foam interior also makes these a great cooler when filled with ice and beverages.

Make This: Pumpkin Candy Dish

Add Some Sparkle

Halloween Glittered Pumpkins

School glue and black glitter are just some simple materials needed to customize pumpkins for Halloween.

From: Marian Parsons

Budget-friendly school glue and black glitter are all you need to give natural or faux pumpkins a chic makeover. Choose an easy pattern for crafting with kids or go with a timeless design, like a monogram or graphic pattern, for a sophisticated look.

Make This: Glittered Pumpkins

Stack a Friendly Character

Pumpkin Totem Pole

Add felt faces to stacked faux pumpkins for a friendly front porch decoration to welcome trick-or-treaters and Halloween guests to your home. Learn how to make your own.

Add some personality to your front porch with a pumpkin topiary in the shape of a totem pole. All you need are a few lightweight faux pumpkins, basic craft supplies and a little imagination.

Make This: Jack-O'-Totem

More Ways to Perfect Your Pumpkin

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