Ideas for Pumpkin Craft Parties

When I was little, my nickname was Pumpkin.  Maybe that's why I have such a love for the round, orange squash.  I've realized lately that decorating pumpkins, eating pumpkin foods, and making pumpkin crafts are great ways to celebrate the fall without subscribing to any beliefs or holidays, which seems to be more and more problematic in our politically correct society.

In this case, I have no problem with this "no holiday" rule, since pumpkins are awesome and need no lofty reason to be celebrated.  Bonuses: you can do pumpkin crafts any time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving and no one has to wear a costume.

Here is an "easy" craft to make at a pumpkin-themed party, if you don't want to go the traditional route of painting or carving real pumpkins.  I mean, how passe!

Hit the "Read More" link for this project's materials, tips, etc.

Materials for this project: 

• Pumpkin wood shapes, sometimes available locally at A.C. Moore, Michael's, Joann's, etc
• Glue or Mod Podge (see below)
• Magazine clippings

Tools:

• Paint brushes - I prefer stiff stencil brushes, but use what you got
• Scissors
• Brown paper to cover your work area

Now there are two ways to procure these magazine clippings:

1. Go through a million old magazines you have lying around, before the party (taking more of your time)
2. Have your party guests do it themselves (taking more of your guests' time)

I suggest using the first method if you are hosting children or extremely impatient adult friends.  But the DIY magazine flipping can be a fun activity if your guests are easy-going and have lots of gossip to share.  Also, with an adult crowd, pumpkin liqueurs and other seasonal beverages might help along the process.  Just saying!

Note: in case you are wondering, as far as I have seen in Philly, PA Fine Wine and Good Spirits do not carry Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie vodka.  I had to go out of state to bring back the precious, artificially flavored alcohol.  That's a good reason to say "Boooooo."

However, Fulton's Harvest creamy liqueur is available in some liquor stores around here, and it is delicious in coffee.  

Moving on from the drinks, here are some tips for any decoupage party:

1. Have more scissors and paint brushes than guests expected.  In the confusion of a messy table covered in brown paper, magazines, scraps, plates, and glasses, scissors can get misplaced, and occasionally so do brushes.  Have more than enough so you don't have to hold everything while you help your guests locate "their" special tools.
2. Most blogs and websites will tell you to use Mod Podge for decoupage.  I feel that, although it's a good product, sometimes it's a little too runny to hold down heavy magazine paper.  The staple I always use is Aleene's Tacky Glue.  But feel free to experiment before your party
3. If you have some reluctant crafters who might be intimidated at the prospect of piecing together such a collage, have paint and glitter available so they can do a simpler project while still doing the activity.  Or you might have tissue paper ready for them, since pasting large pieces of the same color might seem more attractive to the self-proclaimed "uncreative" types.

If you want to get more inspiration for all things pumpkin, check out my Pinterest board!