The steps below follow the order of the work for this fall project.
[tps_header]Halloween is just days away, and we are only a month away from Thanksgiving! Are you putting on a party this year? Pumpkins are one of my go-to ways to decorate because they are so darn straightforward but also so cute, festive, chic, classy — depending on what you pair them with, you can vary from a spooky Halloween table to a classic Thanksgiving setting. So we put together some of our go-to pumpkin tablescape and decor options — for pumpkins real, fake, large, and small!
20 straightforward Ways to Decorate Your Table with Pumpkins
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image: Celebrate and Decorate
Designer Diann Valentine sent us a couple of options, which really got us thinking and looking for even more options!
“Whether you are hosting a dinner party or a casual gathering for Halloween, creating a fun and creative tablescape should be on the top of your list. Pick up some ceramic pumpkins from any local home décor store or try these available at Pottery Barn. Spray paint them all black and use large clear crystals to add eyes to them after the paint dries. Add mercury glasss candle holders and vases in varying sizes and shapes down the center of the table. Layer in some long strands of pearls draped over and round the pumpkins and mercury glass containers. Add lots of candles for sparks of light and your done. This fabulous tablescape will be a departure from the traditional Halloween but adds some festive sophisticated glamour to your table.”
pumpkins from Pottery Barn
image: Taryn Williford
“To add to your glamorous tablescape, take mini white pumpkins and dip them in a small quart of silver metallic paint. Suspend them over newspaper until they dry then attach your guests name and riddle to each stem. I am a big fan of place cards at any dinner party because I believe that great parties don’t happen by accident and it’s critical that guests are coached into having a great time. I like to give place cards a dual purpose by directing where your guests will sit as well as igniting interesting conversations at your table. Consider adding a clever humorous riddle to each place card and then ask your guests to share before your first course is served. Here is one to get you started: “Why did the skeleton go to the party alone? He didn’t have any body to go with him”!
Ready for more straightforward pumpkin table options? Try these!
Quick and straightforward — pumpkin candles! Revel Blog uses them as an annual tradition, to decorate for Thanksgiving and thank the host. Love it!
Or greet your guests at the door with a little ambiance, courtesy of some floating candles in a hollowed out pumpkin (via BHG)
This white pumpkin vase with orange roses and lilies is 100% vivid!! Photo by Brad Howe Photography.
And if you want to make your own, the talented ladies at UCreate have the walkthrough for you:
And this terrarium/cloche by rosannastable over on Instagram is vivid and so straightforward!
Give this ever-popular Martha Stewart pumpkin method a try — hollow out your pumpkin, slip a bowl inside, and fill it with drinks! And don’t forget to use our straightforward printable drink labels for extra festive points.
As you’re trimming your trees — don’t toss that branch! Turn it into a festive centerpiece, surrounded by mini pumpkins and gourds. By the very talented Jenna Burger.
White pumpkins look so strong on a table! I love how The Graphics Fairy used an urn to add some height to her centerpiece.
It’s important to add a variety of textures, too — and how better than a woven pumpkin or two? with some wheat for height! (via Pottery Barn)
Pumpkins from Pottery Barn, Joann’s, Pier 1, and Joann’s.
Black and white and silver will always be classic for Halloween! This chic setup is by Urban Comfort, for Family Circle Magazine.
direct and chic, black and gold are classic, too! Min pumpkins are kind of my go-to. By Nina Holzt/Stylizimo Blog
I love how Domestic Fashionista’s Thanksgiving tablescape is bright but stil rustic and just glam enough with those mercury glass accents!
And did you notice that she added some height with cut branch sections for the pumpkins to rest on? Brilliant! See more pics here.
Could this tiered basket be any more well fitted?? via BHG
Real succulents in a fake pumpkin planter. Or I suppose you could switch it up and put fake succulents in a real pumpkin… (by tobieanne on Etsy)
An important part of a great tablescape is adding height — and this clever setup uses old table legs as pillars for the mini gourds! (via BHG)
Fall doesn’t have to be all about color — white with a bit of orange and red looks strong as well! via Midwest Living
A bit of ribbon or washi tape around a pumpkin is cute, too! via Good Housekeeping
Mini pumpkins make great placecards — give it some height by putting it in a martini-style glass! via My Heart with Pleasure Fills
And, okay… this is not for a table but it was so cute I couldn’t pass it up! Add mini pumpkins to your walkway with mini shepherd’s crooks/plant hangers. via BHG.
And did you notice that she added some height with cut branch sections for the pumpkins to rest on? Brilliant! See more pics here. 
