Pumpkins O'Plenty - Get Out Your Drill!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and Halloween close behind, pumpkins are popping up everywhere!

Here's a fun idea for you to try while your kids take care of the traditional Jack-O-Lantern. You can make creative centrepieces for your Thanksgiving dinner and fill the tops with flowers and foliage, and then re-use these gorgeous gourds for your Halloween night lights. A range of sizes and colours will make a fun and artistic scene for your stoop. All you'll need is your knife and spoon, your drill and a little imagination!

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HOW TO:

• Cut open the top by creating a lid:
• Make a slightly larger lid if you're planning to put flowers in it. ?Make sure you angle it at 45 degrees, so the lid will not fall through if you choose to use it.
• Empty the contents of the pumpkin and set aside.
• Using tape, you can mark out a design, or if you dare, just take a stab at it free-hand!
• You'll want to have at least three different sized drill bits to use ranging from about 1/8" - 1/2" or bigger for large pumpkins. ?You can always use a paring knife to add extra detail. The holes make a perfect starting point to create a star.
• Remember to keep the drill pointed right into the centre of the pumpkin - imagine the candle or light source inside and where the flame will be - that's where you want to point the drill.
• If you want to put a floral arrangement inside, use a couple of LED tea lights around a regular tumbler or plastic cup filled with water. If you've got a really big pumpkin, you can feed a string of mini-lights into the back through a larger hole. To keep the lights well distributed, pack them inside a small vase that's almost as tall as your pumpkin and light will emit from top to bottom!

Here's something else you could try: Paint your drilled pumpkin centrepiece using a small foam roller to match your decor or give that gourd a gilded glow of gold or silver!