Halloween DIY Party: Pumpkin Delight without the Fright

If you’re looking for a fun party idea between now and Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered. This DIY party idea can be adapted for a large FRG function or a small gathering with friends. Either way, it’s the perfect excuse to surround yourself with people when you’re missing home or enduring a field rotation or deployment.

I came up with this party idea while stationed in Germany. Twelve spouses participated and our theme was Halloween. As the host, I served homemade chili and asked my guests to bring their favorite drink, side dish, or dessert to complement the main course. The ladies really got into it and showed up with everything from Witch Finger Breadsticks to Ghoulishly Glam Cakes. If you need inspiration for Halloween-themed recipes, be sure to check out Operation In Touch’s Eats ’n’ Treats Pinterest board to help get the ideas rolling.

What you’ll need:

• bouquet of flowers ($5 to $10 each)

• flower sponge (.99 to $2)

• large bowl of water

• cutting board

• strainers/bowls

• garbage sacks

• knife

• large spoon(s)

• paper towels

Ask guests to bring:

• pumpkin (size of a cantaloupe)

• carving knife

• cutting board

Arrange your supplies – 1) flowers, 2) pumpkin, 3) knife, 4) flower sponge, 5) bowl of water, and 6) cutting board.

Cut off the entire width of the top part of the pumpkin. Make sure guests use their cutting boards so they don’t nick your table by accident!

Cut a piece of flower sponge big enough to fill the center of the pumpkin. The fit should be snug, but not tight. Submerge the sponge in water and let it soak.

Scrape the guts and seeds out of the pumpkin. Put in a bowl or strainer. Wash and separate the seeds. Place on a paper towel to dry. At the end of the night offer your guests a baggie so they can take their seeds home to bake for a healthy snack.

Select the flowers you would like to use in your arrangement and trim the stem, leaving about three to four inches of stem. Place you wet flower sponge inside your pumpkin. Insert the flowers into the sponge until the entire brim is filled.

Once the flowers are arranged as you please, your pumpkin is complete.

What is your favorite way to spend time with friends on Halloween?

{Compensation for this post was provided by Operation In Touch via MSB New Media. Operation In Touch offers special savings, coupons, recipes, beauty tips, and editorial content tailored to the lives of active military families. Check out their website or find them on Facebook and Pinterest.  Opinions expressed in this piece are my own.}