Image 1: imgfave.com; Image 2: Marthastewart.com; Image 3: youvegotsupper.com

There’s nothing like quite like carving a pumpkin to signify the return of the fall season. Share this experience with a few families by throwing a memorable pumpkin carving party.  You will be amazed at everyone’s carving skills and at the same time enjoy each other’s company.

Mersene Norbom, party designer and owner of Indulge by Mersene offers a few tips on how to throw the perfect fall party for the entire family.

The Centerpiece:

Lay out a large piece of tarp and place a bale of hay in the center. Then sprinkle leaves on and around the bail of hay.  Add small gourds, pumpkins, and even a scarecrow on and around the bail, then sprinkle again with leaves.  This is now your in-the-grass table centerpiece.

The Tools:

Ask each family to bring the carving tools of their choice and the rest is all provided. Buy enough pumpkins so there is one per family. Before everyone starts cutting into their pumpkins, place newspapers underneath them — this means easy cleanup.

The Food:

Greet your guest with a pot of apple cider garnished with cinnamon sticks to set the autumn mood.  Later, when they are designing their pumpkins, provide bowls of popcorn  in a variety of flavors (cheese, caramel, butter, salt). After the pumpkins are complete, serve a crock of homemade chili with sides: cheese, onions, sour cream, and tortilla chips.  For dessert, offer a mixture of cookies and cupcakes, with candy corn scattered across the trays.

For an extra special treat, have everyone save their pumpkin seeds for roasting.   Rinse the seeds, then place them on a baking sheet with non-stick spray, and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. When they are all done, you can serve them or pack them up as a favor to go.

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