Nothing says it’s fall and Halloween season like a pumpkin. The annual invasion of all that is orange and round is upon us. If you’re planning on upping your Halloween decoration game, consider these pumpkin options.
Their origin of carved pumpkins comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, an unfortunate soul who tricked the Devil but wasn’t allowed into heaven upon his death. Sentenced to roam the Earth for eternity, the legend of Stingy Jack frightened the people in Ireland who began to carve demonic faces into turnips to frighten away Jack. When immigrants from Ireland arrives in the United States, they used the more-commonly-found pumpkin to continue the tradition of jack-o’-lanterns.
Show some style
Jack-o’-lanterns and Halloween go hand in hand due to the Celtic festival called Samhain – an event to mark the end of summer and the beginning of a new year on November 1. As the festival evolved, so did the legend of Stingy Jack and the pumpkin heads. This pumpkin from Let’s Make Memories is made from resin and can light up and automatically turn off after six hours.
Buy Now: Let’s Make Memories Personalized Light Up Pumpkin
Like the real thing
Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, so they can count cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini as close relatives. They can grow on any continent except Antarctica. This set originally caught our eye as a possible Thanksgiving table centerpiece, but it works great for Halloween too. They’re made from polystyrene foam, which makes them lightweight and waterproof.
Buy Now: HAKACC 14 PCS Artificial Lifelike Simulation Mixed Fake Pumpkins
Loads of uses
The name pumpkin comes from the Greek word Pepõn, which translates to “large melon.” Indigenous North Americans have grown pumpkins for thousands of years – predating the cultivation of corn and beans – and thus their traditional appearance in fall feasts. Use these fake pumpkins for autumn wreaths, an autumn-themed wedding decoration, and for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.
Buy Now: Ticlooc 12pcs Mixed Artificial Pumpkins
Rich color options
Illinois is the state that produces the largest amount of pumpkins – it has twice as many pumpkin acres as the next largest state. For the largest pumpkin ever farmed, head to New Hampshire where a 2,528 pumpkin weighed in back in 2018. These pumpkins are great for tabletops and bowl displays. They’re made from foam so they’re light and durable.
Buy Now: Artmag 8 Pcs Assorted Sizes Harvest Orange Artificial Pumpkins
A jolly trio
If you’d like to try growing your own pumpkin for Halloween, plant your seeds between the last week of May and the middle of June. They’ll be ready for picking in October. These decorative pumpkins from Prextex have on/off switches for the lights inside and require three 1.5-volt batteries (not included). They’re durable enough for outdoor use.
Buy Now: 3pc Set of Halloween Outdoor Pumpkin Decorations for Porch
