Mercifully Minimal Halloween Decor

olldbobbi Nice, but a bit spare for me. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only times I allow myself to go over the top with decorations.

I wonder, what does everyone do with the pumpkins after Halloween? I've had freshly made pumpkin pie and it just doesn't taste the same!

lindseyakin Bobbi,

Make soup! Cut the pumpkin in half, rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, put cut sides down on foil lined baking sheet and roast for an hour or so on 350-375ish. Williams Sonoma has a recipe for squash soup in their soups and stews book that I love because it tastes so silky/creamy but has only a tablespoon or so of fat (butter) to soften the onions at the start.

olldbobbi Lindsey, thank you! I never thought of that. I've had squash soup, but not pumpkin, and I'll def try it!

Mercy Me Great ideabook: I love these images of naturally elegant autumn decor. They stand out in comparison to most holiday decorating precisely because they are not cluttered or fake looking.

BTW, most of these garden pumpkins are not that good for eating. Chop 'em up and throw them in a compost pile. Or, the trash.

kennedytarheel Because I live in the woods, if I put a pumpkin outside the squirrels will destroy it in a day. The only way I've managed to keep the critters at bay for a while is to slather vaseline on the pumpkin and sprinkle it with cayenne pepper....but eventually the squirrels must develop a taste for cayenne pepper because they chew right thru my concoction! Anyone have another suggestion?

sherry403 Kennedytarheel:
I have the most realistic looking fake pumpkins and my squirrels never nibble. I got them at a local craft store. They come in many sizes and shapes and are carvable.

kotlasue I love fall, and I love the simple looks of this decor! :o)

erikadeer My decorating style is already a bit dark & vintage, so this year we just have a single orange pumpkin on the antique butcher block work table in the kitchen. :D

olldroo Pumpkin scones??

Wonder if moth balls work on squirrels? They work on possums - both cute and pesky critters.

sanmarc1 The critters that eat the pumpkins in my yard are fondly known as my two dogs ;) Who knew dogs liked pumpkins, tomatoes and bok choy! This year I've tried the pumpkins that are dark green, bluish and a butternut squash color. So far the critters aren't interested. The critters brought me to minimalism also and I find I rather like it, especially at clean up time.

jeg700 700 I love outdoor autumn decor but not garish Halloween over-the-top decor, so simple is good for me. I cut a few thorny wild rose vines and some thorny berry branches to nestle my pumpkin. This can be seen from the bottom of the driveway and indicates to the trick or treaters we are open to their visits.

tcufrog Jack o Lantern pumpkins often aren't good to cook with because the inside is often too stringy. I prefer to cook and bake with pie pumpkins. In fact I took one apart yesterday, baked it and am in the process of pureeing it. My older son wants some pumpkin pie.

mcjarts Close to minimal &, hopefully, humorous!

designchallenged I don't understand the first picture. The table seems to be blocking a door. Otherwise, I like this ideabook very much.

woofwoof "Mercifully minimal?" Somebody doesn't like Halloween! Which is fine. But if you don't want kids at your door, don't even bother with the pumpkins. The rest of us will make our houses gaudy, messy and fun!

Mackenzie Austin Design Bobbi- Pumpkin Ravioli!! Use wonton wrappers to save time. Blue or white pumpkins are very tasty! Yum!

olldbobbi Mackenzie, If I made pumpkin ravioli my husband would move out! But it sounds great to me!

leeni123 so glad to see you point out how nice simplicity is in decorating.My neighborhood thinks more is always better!!I dread seeing what they will do for Christmas.

gschneider We've gone simpler the last couples years as well. For Halloween night, we add candles in mason jars to line our dark driveway & add some lanterns lit with candles in various groupings on the front porch to add a bit more inviting feel instead of carving the pumpkin, making our pumpkins last til Thanksgiving. And don't worry , readers, we're very careful about the placement of the candles/lanterns & are outside the whole time during beggars night to hand out the candy - also gives us a chance to chat with the neighbors who bring their kids by. (BTW, Sheila, thanks for supporting/showcasing "simple!")

patscats2 I have to say, if all I had the energy to put out was a pumpkin and nothing else, I think I'd just pass altogher. LOL

patscats2 mc, I'm nuts for skeleton decorations. That one thing definitely makes a statement all by himself. LOL The funniest skeletons I've seen are some people had on bicycles in front of their house. Maybe next year I'll make an effort to copy that one. Oh and they had helmets on.

Marina Klima Goldberg - Klima Design Group This is what I loved most, “No hauling, arranging or carving required”
The first day of October is usually the start of my busy month. I consider it as my month of entertainment and happiness. So I’m going to enjoy every minute of it! I just make sure I don’t miss my Halloween adventure project every year. I am also bringing the kids into it, let them participate and enjoy the fun too.

Gail Love the simplicity, so calming.