Fun Fall Ways to Use Pumpkins

The leaves are falling, and the air near Tatte smells of pumpkin pie. We’re between midterms, so let’s give people pumpkin to talk about!

Jack-o-Lantern

Carve into your pumpkin a warm, welcoming smile to greet your friends or a creepy leer to keep away unwanted guests. Or, just put a candle in it for when you can’t find your way to the light switch in the morning. (Or at least an electric candle—as open flames are not technically allowed in dorms).

Door Stop

It’s annoying to stay up to let your roommate in when they forget their key (or worse, to be woken up in the dead of night). And besides, a potential thief would ideally stub their toe trying to kick the pumpkin out of the way, letting out a high-pitched scream. Or while they lift it out of the door frame, the door would slam shut in their face. Either way, the robber is sabotaged and you can call HUPD. This one’s a win-win.

Cinderella Carriage

The Quad too far for you? Have no fear — your fairy godmother will show up, console you about your midterm results, and whisk you away to your party this weekend. Maybe you won’t feel as hollow inside after.

Pumpkin Keg

To perpetuate the Oktoberfest vibes, use our big, orange friends to drain a beer at your next party (or live life on the edge and try pumpkin ale). Stock up, though — one medium-sized pumpkin only holds about 6-10 standard drinks. Or, if you want to go non-alcoholic, spice things up with some pumpkin-spice tea (perhaps with that gourd-geous someone in your life).

Wait for the Great Pumpkin

Let’s throwback to those happy golden childhood days of Charlie Brown and be Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin. The real question is: do we wait in a pumpkin patch, the Old Yard, or Tercentenary Theatre?

Be the Gourd of the Rings this autumn, but try not to get smashed. The poor pumpkins can’t handle it. And if you see pumpkin in your pi while solving your next math pset, piece out and enjoy a slice of real pie. It’s not an irrational thing to do.