By Kayla Epperson

Need to take some anger out? Or do you feel the need to do something creative? What about wanting to try something new for breakfast? Well, there are many innovative possibilities for this season’s famous vegetable, the pumpkin. In the midst of fall festivities, everyone carves pumpkins, eats pumpkin pie, and uses pumpkin candles around the home for that lovely fall smell. Here are some unique ways to utilize leftover pumpkins from Halloween. These will help you to get in the spirit of the season without doing the “same ol’ thing” with pumpkins.
1. Smashing Pumpkins- No, not the band, more like messy baseball. If you are angry and would like to hit something really hard, the impact of a bat against a pumpkin will bring you great pleasure. This game is fun no matter if you use small or large-sized pumpkins. However, if you would like to stay pumpkin gut- free, you can buy small pumpkins that will not explode all over you. I must say though, that a messy explosion of pumpkin is quite exciting, especially when the vegetable explodes all over your teammates. Grab a bat and some pumpkins and take a wack at it
2. Pumpkin Birdhouse—Care about the little birdies outside this fall? Well, you can use a pumpkin as a little home for them. The process of making a pumpkin bird house is quite easy. Get a small to medium-sized pumpkin and cut around the stem of the pumpkin. Gut the pumpkin, let it dry and then place the stem back onto the pumpkin. Cut a small hole into each side of your pumpkin and place strong, thick twine through the holes. You should now have two long strands of twine to tie onto a strong tree branch. Before placing the pumpkin on the tree, make a small opening for birds to get into their home. If you would like, you can also paint your pumpkin to make it more festive. Now, you have created a festive fall home for the little birds. They will greatly enjoy this cozy nook!
3. Paula Deen’s Souffled Pun’kin Pancake—Complements of Food Network—As is to be expected, Paula Deen, southern cook, uses enough butter here to kill a small cow, but the butter is what makes the food, as with most southern foods, so delicious! Here, Paula has created a nice seasonal breakfast food to get people in the mood for the holidays. Directions for cooking this yummy treat can be found on foodnetwork.com.
4. Pumpkin Pinhole Camera—Complements of Petapixel—This is an easy way to make old-fashioned pictures without a lens. You’ll need black spray paint, black tape, aluminum foil, a tack for poking a hole in the foil, a knife for gutting, and some photo paper. Gut the pumpkin, paint it black so light doesn’t come into it, and cut a rectangle into its side. Once the pumpkin is dry, tape aluminum foil over the rectangle and poke a tiny hole in the middle of the foil. Add a second layer of aluminum foil over the first, to create a shutter. In a darkroom, place photo paper inside your pumpkin. Then, take the pumpkin outside, open the shutter and smile! Develop your photo, and you have a picture from your pumpkin camera!

These four innovative ideas for pumpkins will get everyone in the fall spirit. They can act as stress relievers, or as creative expression. Pumpkins may be used in limitless ways. Aside from smashing pumpkins, these crops can be catapulted (props to you if you can find a catapult anywhere) for an equally satisfying explosion. Because the ideas for pumpkin usage are vast, find something you enjoy and apply it to a pumpkin. Are you an artist? Create your work on a pumpkin. Are you a romantic? Make a basket from a pumpkin and fill it with sweets for your boyfriend or girlfriend. The ideas are infinite, so go for it. Take a pumpkin and make it what you want. Have fun and be creative. Happy Fall.