Handmade Holiday: Succulent Pumpkin Planters

Now that Thanksgiving is near, I’m happy to be sharing the first of my handmade holiday ideas for gifts and decor. Aren’t mini pumpkins just adorable, and they are the easiest way to dress up the home during this season. What I’ve loved lately is using them as planters for succulents and flowers, or even candles. Succulent pumpkin planters not only make the perfect centerpiece if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, but this adorable handmade gift also makes a lovely hostess gift this holiday entertaining season or housewarming gift. A cousin of mine just moved to a new place, as a huge fan of fall and winter, I thought this was the perfect housewarming gift for her. You can do this how to with real pumpkins, but since I was gifting this to someone else I highly suggest using faux pumpkins. That way they can reuse the planters year after year, even if the succulent doesn’t make it, spraying the inside with a sealer allows the pumpkin to be reused to hold another planter or even a candle instead. Just make sure to place your candle in a glass container before placing it into the pumpkin planter. Plus, now that all fall decor is highly discounted, you won’t be able to resist picking up a few mini pumpkins to assemble these effortless pieces that will last until next year…

You’ll Need

• Plastic or Foam Pumpkins {or you can use real ones, just make sure to toss them when they begin to rot}
• Succulent in small planter
• Serrated Knife
• Pencil
• Mod Podge Sealer Spray
• Spray paint + craft paint of choice, paint brush {optional}

First, carefully cut around the top of the pumpkin to the size of the planter. If they have a foam core, you’ll need to take a spoon and scoop out the inside enough for the planter to fit inside. 

I choose to paint my faux pumpkin, since who doesn’t love a metallic pumpkin, and it makes these planters a bit more festive. Spray the inside with two coats sealer spray, and the outside with one coat. Allow to dry completely. If you choose not to paint yours, simply just spray with the sealer. Since the top of the succulent terra-cotta planter was a different color, I simply painted the rim around the planter with two coats of white paint to better match the metallic pumpkin. Allow to dry completely.

Then, simply place your succulent right into the pumpkin. Don’t forget to keep it next to bright light and not water it too much.  Succulents make for lovely housewarming gifts because they easily bring life to a new home, and are the easiest plants to take care of, plus they are just too adorable placed in a metallic pumpkin.  Now. this a seasonal gift that anyone can make, one your Thanksgiving host will also love and be sure to display this holiday season!