Follow these tips to turn any pumpkin, large or small, into a bewitching decoration for indoors or out.

Pumpkin by nature
To put a new face on your pumpkin, you don’t have to go much farther than your own backyard. Does that funny-looking pinecone look like a nose? Could those acorns be beady little eyes? Give your pumpkin a whimsical air with decorations made from natural materials.

Materials needed:

• Pumpkins
• Assorted produce
• Natural objects
• Round toothpicks, small nails, and a glue gun
• Small hammer (for tapping toothpicks or nails through thicker materials)

Garden-variety suggestions:

Hair: Twigs, parsley, raffia, corn husks, corn silk, dried leaves, vines, green onion stalks

Nose: Pinecones, carrots, small gourds, Indian corn, zucchini, cucumber, seed pods, green beans

Eyes and ears: Radishes, acorns, nuts, citrus peel, apple slices, squash slices, small peppers, tomatillos

Mouth: Corn kernels, seeds, green beans, cloves, pebbles, chile pods

Pumpkin painting
To add some pop to your pumpkin, use acrylic paints or bright permanent markers. Let your imagination go wild. Paint on a silly face, use a doily as a stencil to make a dainty pumpkin, or paint colorful geometric patterns for an elegant decoration.

Easy pumpkin decorations
Create a festive household with fresh produce. Try these no-fuss ideas:

• Place a handful small pumpkins or funky gourds into a decorative bucket or large, clear vase. Add a few leaves or twigs for a natural touch.
• To create a simple center piece, place a pumpkin in the center of a fall wreath.
• Dress up a side table by topping wide candle holders or an elevated cake tray with pumpkins.
• Scoop out the center of a pumpkin and use it as a flower vase—or even fill with sticks from the backyard. Small pumpkins or gourds can be hallowed out and used as candle holders.