HE turns a small pumpkin into a placeholder with a gift

This time, I wouldn't wrap the pumpkin at all. I would place it on the table.

A small handmade pumpkin figure is available to order in various colors and is made to order. It can serve as a place card holder and later as a guest favor. For a more playful Halloween look, the pumpkin with a three-toothed face is also a great alternative.

From table decoration to guest favor

Write the guest's name on a small piece of sturdy cardstock and place it on or lean it against the pumpkin. This way, the pumpkin replaces the usual place card. The name can be on a separate small card; this keeps the figure versatile even after the meal.

For several guests, I wouldn't necessarily use the same color or design. Different pumpkins make the places easier to identify. If you want to keep the table looking more subdued, stick to two colors and repeat them with napkins or candles.

When I would do this

For a fall dinner with friends, a small birthday celebration in October, or a Halloween evening where not everything has to be black and orange. It also works as a standalone idea: a pumpkin, a handwritten card, and an invitation for tea or dinner.

No bow needed

If the pumpkin was already part of the table setting, I wouldn't wrap it again at the end. The small pumpkin figure is already part of the table decoration: arrange it at the place setting, add a card, and you're done. The guest already knows it's intended for them.

For more ideas on incorporating real or decorative pumpkins into gifts, also check out my three basic pumpkin ideas.

Question for you

How many people sit at your table, and which colors do you use? Write it in the comments—then I'll put together a simple combination for you.

More from the pumpkin series: Halloween favors · Pumpkin tin.