While I was cosied up in my log cabin with a spiced pumpkin candle flickering nearby, I started to think about pumpkin season in the fond way I always do (Autumn is my season) but it reminds me of the waste it causes too.
These cheery orange orbs aren't just Halloween decorations, they're the very essence of autumn hygge! In this week's blog, I'm going to share some ways you can really make use of those pumpkins you have probably spent a fortune buying at the local pumpkin patch and happily posed with for photographs before they're carved up for one night of the year then thrown away.
1. Create a Pumpkin Centrepiece
Transform your table with a charming pumpkin centrepiece. Here's how:
- Choose a variety of mini pumpkins and gourds in different colours and shapes.
- Arrange them on a rustic wooden tray or a slice of log.
- Intersperse candles (I love using our natural aromatherapy candles for this) amongst the pumpkins.
- Add some autumn leaves, pinecones, or acorns for extra texture.
- For a final touch, weave a string of warm fairy lights through the display.
This centrepiece will bring a cosy glow to your dining table or coffee table, perfect for those long autumn evenings.
2. Bake Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Fill your home with the irresistible aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon. Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of croissant dough
- 125g pumpkin puree
- 50g brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
For the glaze:
- 60g icing sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. Mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and spices in a bowl.
3. Unroll the croissant dough and spread the pumpkin mixture evenly.
4. Roll the dough up tightly and slice into 8-10 pieces.
5. Place in a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. While baking, mix the glaze ingredients.
7. Drizzle the glaze over warm rolls and enjoy!
3. Craft a Pumpkin Diffuser
Create a natural, seasonal air freshener:
1. Choose a small, firm pumpkin.
2. Cut off the top and hollow out the inside.
3. Fill the pumpkin about halfway with water.
4. Add 15-20 drops of your favourite autumn essential oils. I love a blend of cinnamon, clove, and orange.
5. Place reed diffuser sticks into the pumpkin.
6. Position your pumpkin diffuser in a cosy corner and enjoy the subtle, seasonal fragrance.
4. Host a Pumpkin Carving Night
Turn pumpkin carving into a hygge-filled evening:
1. Invite a small group of friends over.
2. Prepare a cosy space with soft blankets and cushions.
3. Set up a carving station with pumpkins, carving tools, and tea lights.
4. Put on some gentle background music.
5. Serve warm apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes.
6. Carve away, chatting and laughing together.
7. Don't forget to roast the seeds! (Recipe in idea #5)
5. Roast Pumpkin Seeds
Don't let those seeds go to waste! Here's how to turn them into a delicious snack:
1. Clean the seeds thoroughly and pat dry.
2. Toss with a little olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Try cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat, or salt and smoked paprika for a savoury version.
3. Spread on a baking tray and roast at 150°C (130°C fan) for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Let cool and enjoy by the handful or as a salad topper.
6. Make Pumpkin Spice Bath Bombs
Treat yourself to a luxurious soak:
Ingredients:
- 240g bicarbonate of soda
- 120g citric acid
- 120g cornflour
- 120g Epsom salts
- 3 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp water
- Orange mica powder (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Slowly add wet ingredients, mixing until the mixture holds together when squeezed.
3. Press into silicone moulds or plastic ornaments.
4. Let dry for 24 hours before using.
Drop one in a warm bath and soak away your cares!
7. Create Pumpkin Lanterns
For a magical lighting display:
1. Choose medium-sized pumpkins with smooth skin.
2. Clean and dry the pumpkins thoroughly.
3. Draw your design on the pumpkin with a pencil. Geometric patterns work well.
4. Use a small drill bit to carefully drill holes along your design lines.
5. Place LED candles inside for a safe, warm glow.
These make beautiful outdoor decorations for autumn evenings.
8. Whip Up Pumpkin Face Masks
For a nourishing at-home spa experience:
Mix together:
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Apply to clean skin, relax for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will feel soft and your spirit refreshed!
9. Craft Pumpkin Seed Art
A meditative craft for quiet evenings:
1. Clean and dry pumpkin seeds thoroughly.
2. If desired, dye some seeds with food colouring for variety.
3. Draw a simple design on thick paper or canvas.
4. Carefully glue seeds onto your design, creating patterns or pictures.
5. Once dry, display your art or give as a unique autumn gift.
10. Bake a Pumpkin Bread Wreath
A beautiful and delicious centrepiece:
1. Prepare your favourite bread recipe with the addition of pumpkin spice
2. Instead of a loaf tin, shape the dough into a ring on a baking tray.
3. Bake as directed, watching carefully as it may cook faster.
4. Once cooled, decorate with a cream cheese glaze and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
5. Serve by tearing off chunks – no slicing needed!
11. Create Pumpkin Placecards
For a charming table setting:
1. Choose small, even-sized pumpkins or gourds.
2. Clean and dry them thoroughly.
3. Write guests' names with metallic paint pens or attach small name tags with twine.
4. Place at each table setting.
5. Guests can take these home as a lovely memento of the evening.
12. Make Pumpkin Butter
A delicious spread for autumn mornings:
Ingredients:
- 425g pumpkin puree
- 100g brown sugar
- 60ml maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until thick.
3. Store in jars in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Spread on toast or stir into porridge for a cosy breakfast.
13. Craft a Pumpkin Bird Feeder
Invite feathered friends to your garden:
1. Cut a medium pumpkin in half horizontally.
2. Scoop out the inside, leaving a thick wall.
3. Poke holes and insert sturdy sticks or dowels for perches.
4. Fill with birdseed.
5. Hang from a tree branch using strong twine.
Watch the birds from your window with a warm cup of tea in hand.
14. Paint Pumpkin Rocks
Create year-round pumpkin cheer:
1. Collect smooth, flat rocks from your garden or a craft shop.
2. Wash and dry them thoroughly.
3. Paint the rocks orange (acrylic paint works well).
4. Once dry, add details like stems, faces, or patterns with other colours.
5. Seal with a clear varnish for outdoor use.
6. Place around your garden or use as paperweights.
15. Create a Pumpkin Gratitude Jar
A beautiful way to practise thankfulness:
1. Clean and hollow out a medium-sized pumpkin.
2. Cut leaf shapes from coloured paper.
3. Each day, write something you're grateful for on a leaf.
4. Place the leaf in the pumpkin.
5. On a cosy evening, perhaps at the end of autumn, gather loved ones to read the leaves aloud.
This practice combines the symbolic abundance of the pumpkin with the heart of hygge – appreciation for life's simple joys.
Remember, hygge is about cherishing the simple joys. Whether you try one idea or all fifteen, approach each with a heart full of warmth and appreciation for the season.
I'd love to hear how you're bringing pumpkin-inspired hygge into your homes! Share your cosy moments with us using #HyggeAtHomePumpkins. If you can't get enough of pumpkins and love autumn, you'll adore our AW24 range here.
Wishing you all an autumn filled with warmth, wonder, and plenty of pumpkin-spiced hygge moments!
