Halloween Week 2011: Autumnal Options

Not everyone wants spooky, Halloween-specific decorations. People who consider Halloween a one-day holiday and people with conflicting religious beliefs may prefer more neutral seasonal options. The following decoration ideas are dual purpose: suitable for Halloween without being restricted to it. They're also not scary, a bonus for households with small children and easily unnerved adults (ghastlier options will follow, of course).

Note: Almost of all of these are D.I.Y., and if you click on the link you'll get a recipe or tutorial.

Bronze & Gold Decorations

My favorite type of autumnal decoration uses and mixes warmer metallics, like bronze, gold, deep orange, even purple. It's a rich and elegant look. Credits row by row, from left:

• Golden harvest decorations from Country Living, gilded with Caromal Colours (photos by Joseph De Leo).
• Autumn Harvest ornament wreath (sold, similar items available) by Dottie Gray.
• Golden address pumpkins from Twig & Thistle.
• Golden pumpkins also from Country Living, gilded with Caromal Colours (via Dress Design Decor).

More Pumpkin Ideas

Here are some cute pumpkin imitators (and one squash & mini-pumpkin wreath):

1. The Great Pumpkin Cake from A Merrier World.
2. Pumpkin favor pouches from Martha Stewart.
3. Pumpkin lanterns from Martha Stewart.
4. Pumpkin patch cupcakes from Duncan Hines.
5. Halloweegan stuffed peppers from Wing-It Vegan*
6. Mini pumpkin wreath from Better Homes & Gardens.

*Okay, so the jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers are very Halloween. But it's cute, right?  

Here are some fancy pumpkin ideas beyond the usual jack-o-lantern:

1. Patterned pumpkins from…I don't know. I believe Country Living, as they have some very similar pumpkins. Argh! I lost the source and Google Image Search doesn't know either. Please comment if you do.
2. Pretty painted pumpkins by Alisa Burke at I Love to Create.
3. Plaid pumpkins from Real Simple.
4. Leaf decoupage pumpkin from Better Homes & Gardens.
5. White pumpkins by Herz-Allerliebst. 
6. Plaid pumpkins from Better Homes & Gardens.
7. Pumpkin flower pots from Martha Stewart.
8. Glitter pumpkins from Apartment Therapy.
9. Polka dot pumpkin from Home Stories A2Z.
10. Lace-patterned pumpkins from Martha Stewart.
11. Mercury glass pumpkins from Pottery Barn (sold out; similar PB item here & possible D.I.Y. version here).
12. Chevron carved pumpkin from Wit & Whistle.
13. Modern pop art pumpkins from Happy Mundane.
14. Argyle pumpkin from Max & Ellie.
15. Argyle pumpkins from Country Sampler.
16. Celestial pumpkins from Martha Stewart.
17. Flame carved pumpkins from Better Homes & Gardens (click through for stencils).
18. Fall tureen topper from Martha Stewart.

Candy Corn-Inspired Treats

You could argue candy corn is Halloween-only, but I think it's more "good until Thanksgiving." Because I don't think anyone would fault you if you brought that candy corn cheesecake to Thanksgiving dinner (I wouldn't). 

1. Candy corn sugar cookies from Kathie Cooks.
2. White chocolate-dipped pretzel rods from Your Homebased Mom.
3. Candy corn cupcakes from All Things Cupcake.
4. Candy corn cheesecake from Wilton.
5. White chocolate-covered pretzels from Baked Perfection.
6. Candy corn pumpkins from Better Homes & Gardens.

Hope you found some inspiration! Up next is Halloween Week 2011: Arachnophobia Party Concept.