17+ Creative Christmas Pumpkin Ideas to Try

Who says pumpkins should only shine during Halloween? Let’s give them a festive makeover and let them twinkle through the Christmas season too!

Whimsical Characters

Add a touch of whimsy with character-themed pumpkins.
Add a touch of whimsy with character-themed pumpkins.

Turn your pumpkins into whimsical Christmas characters like elves or reindeer. This idea brings a smile to everyone’s face and adds a playful element to your decor.

You might like:

  • Christmas Themed Felt Craft Kit: Create charming elf and reindeer faces on your pumpkins with this easy felt craft kit.
  • Peel and Stick Googly Eyes: Add spice to your pumpkin characters with these quirky peel and stick googly eyes.
  • Colorful Craft Paint Set: Bring your pumpkin characters to life with vivid and vibrant colors from this craft paint set.

Plaid Patterns

Rustic charm with plaid-patterned pumpkins.
Rustic charm with plaid-patterned pumpkins.

Paint your pumpkins with classic plaid patterns in reds and greens for a cozy, rustic vibe. This is a simple way to bring warmth into your home that my clients adore.

Check these products out:

  • Acrylic Paint Set: Create stunning plaid pumpkins with vibrant, lasting colors. Perfect for your festive decorations.
  • Plaid Stencil Kit: Effortlessly paint plaid designs on your pumpkins for a cozy, stylish holiday vibe.
  • Foam Paint Brushes: Achieve smooth, even coverage on pumpkin surfaces with these versatile foam brushes.

Winter Wonderland Scene

Create a winter wonderland inside your home with these pumpkins.
Create a winter wonderland inside your home with these pumpkins.

Craft a winter wonderland scene with your pumpkins by adding snow-like features and miniature winter figures. It’s a magical centerpiece idea that always wows guests.

Check if these fit your needs:

  • Artificial Snow Blanket: Create a snowy effect on your pumpkins for a magical winter wonderland centerpiece everyone will love.
  • Miniature Winter Village Figures: Add charming mini figures to bring your winter scene to life with delightful holiday characters.
  • LED String Fairy Lights: Enhance the festive ambiance with warm LED lights that highlight your winter wonderland centerpiece beautifully.

Gift Wrapped Pumpkins

Pumpkins wrapped like Christmas presents.
Pumpkins wrapped like Christmas presents.

Wrap your pumpkin like a Christmas gift with ribbons and bows. It’s a delightful surprise that adds a personal touch to any festive setup.

A few choices to try:

  • Decorative Christmas Ribbons: Add vibrant colors to your pumpkin with these beautiful and festive ribbons.
  • Large Craft Bows: Enhance your pumpkin with these eye-catching bows for a complete festive appeal.
  • Festive Greenery Garland: Surround your pumpkin with this lush greenery for an added touch of holiday spirit.

Advent Calendar Pumpkins

Count down to Christmas with a pumpkin advent calendar.
Count down to Christmas with a pumpkin advent calendar.

Create a series of mini pumpkins, each representing a day in December, to form a pumpkin advent calendar. It’s a creative twist that your family will look forward to every year.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Pumpkin Decorating Paint Kit: Enhance creativity by decorating each pumpkin with vibrant, durable paints. A fun activity for all.
  • Number Stencils Set: Easily paint perfect numbers on pumpkins with reusable stencils. Ideal for crafting intricate designs.
  • Mini Artificial Pumpkins: Use these realistic mini pumpkins for a lasting advent calendar display throughout December.

Classic Red and Green

Classic Christmas colors on display with these pumpkins.
Classic Christmas colors on display with these pumpkins.

Stick to classic holiday colors by painting your pumpkins in vibrant reds and greens. This timeless look never fails to impress my clients!

Try these:

  • Red and Green Acrylic Paint Set: Create stunning holiday pumpkins with this vibrant paint set. Perfect for classic holiday decor!
  • Artificial Red Berry Wreath: Enhance your holiday decorations with this festive wreath, ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere.
  • LED Flameless Red and Green Candles: Add a warm glow to your decor with these safe, color-coordinated LED flameless candles.

Gingerbread House Pumpkin

A sweet and charming gingerbread house pumpkin.
A sweet and charming gingerbread house pumpkin.

Transform your pumpkin into a gingerbread house with icing-like paint and candy decorations. It’s a sweet treat for the eyes that my clients adore!

These products might help:

  • Edible Gingerbread House Decorations: Transform your pumpkin with these edible gingerbread house decorations, perfect for a whimsical holiday touch.
  • Icing Decorating Kit: Create intricate designs on your pumpkin with this icing kit, enhancing every festive detail.
  • LED Fairy String Lights: Add a magical glow to your pumpkin display with these delicate, battery-operated fairy lights.

Frosted Pumpkins

Bring a touch of winter inside with frosted pumpkins.
Bring a touch of winter inside with frosted pumpkins.

Give your pumpkins a frosted look by dusting them with white paint and glitter. It’s a subtle touch that adds winter magic to any decor.

A few helpful options:

  • White Spray Paint: Transform your pumpkins with a frosted look using versatile white spray paint. Easy and effective!
  • Silver Glitter: Add a touch of sparkle to your pumpkins with radiant silver glitter. Create winter magic effortlessly!
  • Craft Glue: Secure your glitter perfectly using reliable craft glue. Ensure a lasting, frosted pumpkin design.

Nordic Knit Patterns

Warm up your decor with Nordic knit-patterned pumpkins.
Warm up your decor with Nordic knit-patterned pumpkins.

Paint your pumpkin with Nordic knit patterns for a cozy, sweater-like appearance. This design is perfect for those chilly winter nights by the fire.

Consider these options:

  • Acrylic Paint Set: Transform your pumpkins with vibrant colors; perfect for intricate Nordic patterns and festive designs.
  • Fine Detail Paint Brushes: Achieve precision in your designs with fine brushes, ideal for intricate knit pattern painting.
  • Pumpkin Carving Tools: Prepare your pumpkins with durable carving tools, ensuring a smooth surface for painting patterns.

Snowflake Stencils

Delicate snowflake designs bring winter elegance to your pumpkins.
Delicate snowflake designs bring winter elegance to your pumpkins.

Use snowflake stencils to create delicate snowflake designs on your pumpkins. This idea adds a touch of winter elegance that clients often request for their seasonal decor.

These products might be useful:

  • Snowflake Pumpkin Stencil Kit: Elevate your pumpkin decor with intricate snowflake stencil designs. Easy and elegant for holidays!
  • Reusable Snowflake Stencil Set: Craft magnificent winter-themed pumpkins with these durable and reusable snowflake stencils.
  • Winter Decor Snowflake Stencils: Transform ordinary pumpkins into festive displays using our beautifully crafted snowflake stencils.

Nature-Inspired Elegance

Nature meets holiday elegance with these decorated pumpkins.
Nature meets holiday elegance with these decorated pumpkins.

Use natural elements like pinecones and berries to decorate your pumpkins, creating a nature-inspired look. Clients love how this seamlessly blends with outdoor Christmas settings.

A few things you might like:

  • Assorted Natural Pinecones: Enhance your pumpkins with these pinecones for a rustic, festive touch. Perfect for outdoor decor.
  • Artificial Red Berries: Add vibrant color to your decorations with these lifelike red berries. Long-lasting outdoor design.
  • Mixed Greenery Garland: Wrap your pumpkins in lush greenery for a beautiful, nature-inspired look. Ideal for outdoor settings.

Christmas Tree Pumpkin

A mini Christmas tree in pumpkin form.
A mini Christmas tree in pumpkin form.

Create a pumpkin that mimics a mini Christmas tree by painting it green and adding tiny ornaments. This design was a delightful surprise for a client’s winter garden party!

Explore these options:

  • Green Pumpkin Paint: Transform your pumpkin into a festive display with vibrant green paint. Perfect for creative projects!
  • Mini Christmas Ornaments: Enhance your pumpkin with charming mini ornaments for a whimsical holiday touch. Get decorating now!
  • Battery-Operated Fairy Lights: Illuminate your creation with twinkling fairy lights for a magical ambiance. Easy and elegant lighting!

Festive Candle Holders

Light up your holiday nights with pumpkin candle holders.
Light up your holiday nights with pumpkin candle holders.

Carve out the center of your pumpkin to create festive candle holders. It’s a simple yet elegant way to add warmth and light to your holiday table.

Products that could assist:

  • Battery Operated LED Tea Lights: Illuminate your pumpkin candle holders safely with battery-powered LED tea lights. Perfect for any setting.
  • Candle Wick Trimmer: Keep your candles burning cleanly and efficiently with a durable wick trimmer.
  • Scented Pillar Candles: Add a beautiful scent to your festive table with these elegant scented pillar candles.

Santa Hat Pumpkins

Pumpkins with a festive Santa flair.
Pumpkins with a festive Santa flair.

Adorn your pumpkins with little Santa hats to bring a playful holiday spirit to your decor. I love how this idea adds a whimsical touch to any room!

Some handy options:

  • Mini Santa Hats: Transform your pumpkins with these adorable mini Santa hats. Add a festive touch instantly!
  • Artificial Pine Cone Decorations: Enhance your holiday decor with realistic artificial pine cones for a natural festive vibe.
  • Holiday Berry Garland: Add a pop of color to your decor with a vibrant holiday berry garland. Cheerful and inviting!

Snowman Pumpkin Stack

A cozy snowman without the frostbite.
A cozy snowman without the frostbite.

Stack three different-sized pumpkins to create a charming snowman without the chill. Add a scarf and buttons for that extra touch; this is a hit at my workshops!

Items that may come in handy:

  • Decorative Winter Scarves for Crafting: Add warmth and style to your snowman pumpkin stack with these colorful and cozy scarves.
  • Black Button Craft Set: Enhance your snowman pumpkin with these easy-to-attach black buttons that make decorating fun.
  • Crafting Top Hat: Complete your snowman pumpkin look with a charming top hat, adding a classic finishing touch.

Chalkboard Message Pumpkins

Customize your pumpkins with chalkboard messages.
Customize your pumpkins with chalkboard messages.

Paint your pumpkin with chalkboard paint and write festive messages for a personalized touch. I love using this idea as a rotating message board for holiday gatherings.

May just do the trick:

  • Chalkboard Paint: Transform your pumpkins with chalkboard paint for customizable, festive holiday messages. Perfect for gatherings!
  • Chalk Markers: Use chalk markers to write and rewrite messages easily on your festive chalkboard pumpkins.
  • Pumpkin Carving Kit: Prepare your pumpkins with a carving kit, ensuring smooth surfaces for chalkboard paint application.

Glitter and Glam

Add sparkle to your holiday decor with glitter pumpkins.
Add sparkle to your holiday decor with glitter pumpkins.

Coat your pumpkin in a layer of glitter to give it a sparkling festive look. I often use this technique to add a touch of glamour to holiday displays.

Give these a look:

  • Gold and Silver Glitter Set: Transform your pumpkin with this shimmering glitter set for a dazzling holiday centerpiece.
  • Clear Spray Adhesive: Ensure your glitter stays put all season with this easy-to-use clear spray adhesive.
  • Battery-Powered String Lights: Add a warm glow to your decor with these versatile battery-powered string lights.

Painted Christmas Ornaments

Pumpkins transformed into elegant Christmas ornaments.
Pumpkins transformed into elegant Christmas ornaments.

Turn your pumpkins into Christmas ornaments by painting them with shimmering metallic paints that mimic the look of classic holiday baubles. It’s a favorite trick I use to surprise clients with unexpected elegance in their decor.

A few suggestions:

  • Metallic Acrylic Paint Set: Elevate your pumpkins with shimmering paints for that perfect festive holiday ornament effect.
  • Paintbrush Set: Achieve intricate designs with ease using versatile and high-quality paintbrushes for detailed artwork.
  • Pumpkin Stencils for Painting: Create stunning holiday designs effortlessly with easy-to-use stencils designed for seasonal creativity.
Text: Joyce Peterson