Pumpkin House Numbers

• Select one pumpkin per house number and cut a hole in the top of each.

• Clean them out, saving the tops, and wipe exteriors dry.

• Center paper stencil number (ours was 5 inches tall) on the first pumpkin and adhere with painter's tape.

• With a marker, trace the stencil outline, then carefully carve just outside the line with a small handsaw or heavy-duty craft knife.

• Repeat for each number.

• Arrange a few tea lights inside each pumpkin, then line up or stack in proper order.

• Replace top on the highest pumpkin.

Nailhead Pumpkins  

1. Use a pencil to make small dots on the pumpkin rind to mark the desired pattern. (We found a supply of 4 dozen 1/2 inch nailheads to be sufficient for decorating a medium-size pumpkin.)

2. Push the nail points into the dots on your pumpkin. Use a hammer, if necessary. (We didn't need one.)

3. Watch for any rot along the bottom of the pumpkin. Pumpkins kept in a cool location should last for weeks.

Sophisticated