When crafted out of paper mache—the classic process of dipping newsprint into a glue-like mixture of flour and water—homemade pumpkins can be summoned from storage and used as decorations year after year. To set these handmade masterpieces apart from the common pumpkin-patch variety, we decoupaged ours with paper napkins in iconic patterns. (You can also use no-carve pumpkin ideas on your decorative pumpkins.) When topped off with a twisted craft paper stem and a couple of gilded crepe paper leaves, these paper pumpkins start to come alive. Twist the stems together into a vine arrangement along a mantel or line them up on a dining table to create a DIY centerpiece for a Halloween dinner party. Go ahead and leave your pumpkins out until Thanksgiving—these enchanted gourds will never rot. And if you decide to learn how to carve a pumpkin, the crafted pumpkins will look fantastic arranged next to jack-o’-lanterns and spooky designs.
DIY Paper Mache Pumpkin Guide
Materials
12-inch balloon 3 rubber bands Flour Blank newsprint (found at office supply stores) Patterned paper napkins (we found ours at Marimekko) Clear craft glue Brown craft paper Gold crepe paper
