The Halloween Pumpkin Uncarved

Okay, maybe I'm a little lazy, but I love to find ways to decorate for Halloween without having to carve that pumpkin. I was delighted at the ideas I found from amazingly creative crafters. Each pumpkin decorating technique presented here is just the starting point for making your own original pumpkin creation. You'll find a picture of each pumpkin decorating idea with a link to the instructions. They're all quite simple, and you'll enjoy discovering new ways to make that Jack-o-lantern without the carving.

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This first one is pretty obvious, but here is the link to the crafter: Martha Moments.

We all know that pumpkins and gourds are just naturally beautiful, but look what happens when they are polished! Not only are they even more beautiful and elegant, but there are side benefits, like protecting from mold. Find out exactly what to use to clean and shine these elegant beauties at By Stephanie Lynn.com

This one had no instructions, but I just had to include it. It looks like the pumpkin is painted with several coats of thick glossy latex paint. When dry, use a stencil to remove the paint revealing the pumpkin inside. A very spooky, gothic effect.

I love this idea. Pumpkins dressed up in patterned panty hose! Super easy and dramatic pumpkin decorating. Also inexpensive if you have some old patterned hose to repurpose. I found this idea at ShelterPop.com

How easy and how fun. No instructions needed, but you can find this and many more pumpkin decorating ideas at Better Homes & Gardens Pumpkin Decorating pages.

Beautiful repurposing idea for wrapping your pumpkin, vases, or just about anything in retired sweaters. See bystephanielynn.com for how-to and many more creative ideas.

I love these black pumpkins. Apparently these were being prepped for another project, but don't you love them just the way they are? An Enchanted Cottage

This is actually the project the black pumpkins above were being prepped for. Same web site: An Enchanted Cottage

Just plain fun for anyone young or old in any color scheme. Fave Crafts

Chalkboard paint your pumpkin. Change the message, post a menu, or just plain Boo!

At Home

Some of these country pumpkins are sporting gunny sacks. Any fabric will create something unique for your home. For something elegant, try retired lingerie with glitter or sequins and ribbon.

612 Riverside

Glittery pumpkins will really shine at night reflecting off candles or porch lights. Complete tutorial for these is at A Glimpse Inside

So easy and so fun. Stencils can be recruited from everyday household items, or you can purchase some like these. How-to from Homemade Simple

Okay, so these are very close to carving, the thing I was avoiding. But to me they're easier. I love the look of these, especially with the exotic pumpkin varieties in so many nontraditional colors. I couldn't resist including them. Yes, you still have to gut and clean the pumpkin, but using woodworking tools and punching out holes doesn't require the control you need with a sharp knive cutting through thick pumpkin skin. Pumpkins just run when they see me coming with a knife.

These are from, who else but Martha Stewart!