Fall For Pumpkins This Season * My Stay At Home Adventures

Pumpkins carry a sense of comfort and nostalgia. For years, I only used them to decorate my porch in October or as the key ingredient in a Thanksgiving pie. But then I realized pumpkins can be used in so many more ways—some that surprised me.

If you're just starting out, you're not alone. This can be your season to try something new with pumpkins, and I’m going to walk through everything that helped me get started.

A cozy autumn basket centerpiece with small white and orange pumpkins surrounding glowing candles.

Pumpkin Decorations

You don’t need to be a designer to make your home feel festive for fall. Pumpkins make it easy to decorate any space, whether you like neutral tones or bold fall colors.

Try grouping different sizes on your front steps, using painted pumpkins on your mantle, or layering a few mini pumpkins with candles and faux leaves as a table centerpiece.

There are lots of creative ways to style pumpkins indoors and outdoors, even if this is your first time doing seasonal decor. Here's a few that you can start with:

A collage of homemade pumpkin treats including bundt cake, cinnamon rolls, rice crispy pumpkins, and cupcakes with cream topping.

Pumpkin Recipes

Cooking with pumpkin can feel intimidating at first, but once you roast and puree one, the possibilities open up. You can start with pumpkin muffins and then spice donuts, fudge brownies, and even pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls.

Pumpkin works beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes. Whether you’re baking or simmering a pot of soup, it adds richness and warmth to every bite. You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen—start small and build from there.

Pumpkin Drinks

Fall drinks get a cozy upgrade when pumpkin is involved. Beyond the famous spiced lattes, there are homemade pumpkin milkshakes, smoothies, and even cocktails that I make for chilly evenings.

These drinks are a great way to use leftover puree and add a little warmth to your routine without a lot of prep. They’re also fun to serve for gatherings or just to treat yourself.

Pumpkin Craft

Pumpkin crafts are a fun way to spend time with kids or get creative on your own. If you’re new to crafting, start with painted pumpkins, no-carve designs, or turning small pumpkins into tealight holders.

What I love about pumpkin crafts is that you don’t need expensive supplies—just a little time and imagination. These activities also double as decor when you’re done.

Bright orange pumpkins in a sunlit patch with warm golden light shining through in the background.

Pumpkin Hacks and Projects

There are clever tricks to using pumpkins that I wish I had known sooner. From how to keep them fresh longer to creative ways to reuse scraps or save seeds, these tips can stretch your pumpkins even further.

Pumpkin hacks help you reduce waste and get more out of what you already have. Whether you're trying to preserve a carved pumpkin or want ideas for the leftovers, these smart shortcuts are worth checking out.

Likewise, if you like hands-on activities, there are seasonal projects that use pumpkins in fun, unexpected ways. You might try turning one into a planter, centerpiece, or even a candle holder.

These projects make great weekend activities and add a personal touch to your seasonal setup. You can keep it simple or go all-out, depending on your time and interest.

You don’t need to do everything at once. When I first started experimenting with pumpkins, I picked one thing—pumpkin soup. That small start led me to cooking, decorating, crafting, and even roasting seeds.

If pumpkins have only ever been a decoration on your porch, this fall is the perfect time to try something new. Cook a recipe. Make a craft. Try a drink. Even just one small step can turn into a cozy seasonal tradition you look forward to each year.