Welcome home to Day 5 of Pumpkin Week! Today, we have a lot in store for you. We’ll kick things off by exploring the world of colored pumpkins and their meanings on your porch. Then, we’ll show you how to spruce up your front door with some pumpkin inspiration and get your porch looking festive and inviting. To top it off, we’ll share a handful of easy and tasty pumpkin recipes that will warm your heart and your taste buds. It’s all about adding that perfect touch of autumn to your home, inside and out. So, get ready for a quick read – filled with creative ideas and delicious pumpkin goodness!
Colors Have Meaning
When it comes to decorating your porch for the fall season, you might be surprised to learn that there are clues hidden within the pumpkin colors which may hold special significance. The variety of colors all have distinct meanings and are meant to raise awareness. These pumpkins have become a discreet way of communicating various messages during the holiday season. It’s a way of empowering real families to inspire change – in an easy, yet powerful way.
Teal Painted Pumpkins
First, if you see a teal pumpkin on the porch during Halloween, it signifies that the homeowner will offer non-food treats for those who have allergies. This food-awareness pumpkin is the most recognized of the bunch. The teal trend was started by the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE) to help remind us that some kids have serious food allergies. Similarly, if you see a child trick-or-treating with a teal-colored bucket, you will know that the child has a food allergy.
The Purple Pumpkin Project
Next, the purple pumpkin raises the awareness of Epilepsy. Over 3.4 Americans have some form of epilepsy, and the purple pumpkin creates opportunity to talk about their experiences. The #PurplePumpkinProject campaign started over 10 years ago as a way to offer support. Now, there is a Facebook page and many use the hashtag on social media accounts. Put a purple pumpkin on your porch to show support for those you know and love with epilepsy.
Pink Pumpkins for a Cure
Another example uses pink pumpkins to spread awareness of breast cancer. Over 3.8 million women have been affected with breast cancer, so spreading the news about organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is crucial. A non-profit based in NYC started the Pink Pumpkin Project. We love this organization’s motto, “Giving hope to fighters, one pumpkin at a time.”
Blue Pumpkins
As with the others, you might see blue pumpkin buckets with children who are trick-or-treating. These buckets serve as unofficial signs that the child may be on the autism spectrum. It is a subtle way to let you know that “Trick-or-Treating” or “Thank You” might be hard for that child. While there has been controversy within the community about the blue buckets, we know our support and encouragement mean so much to these families. If you see a blue pumpkin on the porch, it shows acknowledgment and awareness from the homeowners.
White Pumpkins in Memory
Equally important, the white Halloween pumpkin was inspired by a post on Facebook. A loving mother who lost her child wrote a poem in remembrance of her daughter. The poem went viral and others joined in to honor their own memories as well. Now, white pumpkins are placed on porches to represent pregnancy and infant loss across the country.
MADD Red Pumpkins
Further, did you know that Halloween is statistically a dangerous night for drunk driving? These red gourds represent awareness for drunk driving and promote healthy drinking practices. The MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization started this campaign. Remember: If you drive, don’t drink. If you drink, don’t drive….please – for all of us.
Yellow Pumpkins
Moreover, these yellow pumpkins were inspired by observing similar projects by a mother whose child has a speech defect. Apraxia of speech is a rare neurological condition which affects the ability to communicate verbally. Put a yellow pumpkin on your porch to signify that children with special needs or who can’t greet you with a “trick-or-treat!” will have a positive experience at your home. The Yellow Pumpkin Parade project also uses yellow trick-or-treating bags to help candy-givers easily identify children with disabilities. Again, this helps to eliminate confusion and create a sense of understanding and compassion among those participating in Halloween festivities.
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“In the fall season, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of home with pumpkins and cozy decor to greet you.”
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Easy and Tasty!
In addition, we wanted to share two recipes for your pumpkin pleasure today. Both are surprisingly easy and incredibly good! A friend recently shared this first recipe and we were shocked how easy and tasty they are! We’ve seen this recipe around the internet – but we have to say that they are absolutely worth the hype! The muffins create the most delicious “Welcome Home” aroma and the dip is one of my favorites- and totally addicting! It is best served with the crunch of apples, but we have also served it with gingersnaps as well, which give a nice burst of flavor.
3-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
1 (15oz.) can pure pumpkin
1 (10 oz.) bag of cinnamon chips (such as Hershey’s)
And 1 box yellow cake mix
First, mix the canned pumpkin and cake mix in a bowl. The batter will be thick, so mix slowly to avoid cake mix powder in your face. 🙂 Next, mix in the cinnamon chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes. After, cool on a baking rack and enjoy!
Pumpkin Dip
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 tsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Apple Slices
First, combine the cream cheese, brown sugar and pumpkin in a mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until blended. (I’ve used a wire whisk instead of a blender often, which works fine.) Next, add the syrup and cinnamon and beat until smooth. Finally, cover and chill for 30 minutes and serve with apple slices or soft gingersnap cookies.
Welcome Home
When it comes to front door inspiration, pumpkins are a versatile and timeless choice for adding charm and warmth to your home. Pumpkins are great additions for a traditional display but can typically suit any style.
A classic way to decorate with pumpkins is to create a captivating arrangement on your front steps, varying in size and color. For a rustic appeal, you can stack pumpkins in wooden crates or on top of barrels. For a more whimsical atmosphere, it’s fun to paint or carve your pumpkins with unique designs or silly faces. The options are as varied as your own personality.
Sophisticated and Simple
The easiest mix for a “Welcome Home” entrance is to use pumpkins mixed with lots of mums. Add in a lantern, a haystack, or a scarecrow and your arrangement is complete. Benches are a bonus and easy to add into the fall decor.
Ideally, these photos inspire you as you decorate for all things fall-related. The colors, the textures, and the ambiance all contribute to that perfect, cozy fall feel.
Welcome Home to Fall
Join us tomorrow as we feature a parade of painted pumpkins with some added fun to Pumpkin Week. We are so thankful that you are part of our community!
Welcome Home!
