As sad as it is, pumpkin season is almost over. It would be tear-worthy to throw away those pumpkins that once adorned our doorsteps, tables, and made autumn come alive. Just because the orange themed holidays are coming to a close, there are still many options to make those beautiful pumpkins live on!

Here are some incredible ideas you can do with your leftover pumpkins!

Delicious Pumpkin Recipies

The cooking options with pumpkins are endless! There’s creamy pumpkin soup, pumpkin cornbread muffins, baked parmesan pumpkin fries, pumpkin butter, and even pumpkin ice cream! Don’t let a single pumpkin go to waste when you can turn their beauty into a healthy and tasty way to feed you and your family! Incorporate it in your Thanksgiving meal this year!

Roasted Seeds

This one still falls under the cooking category but leans more towards a healthy movie night snack. Sprinkle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Pop those seeds in the oven and roast ‘em up! Substitute popcorn and chips with this crunchy delicacy that will satisfy any craving when you feel the munchies coming on.

Nourishment for Wild Life

Pumpkins aren’t just for humans!  If you’re not a fan of consuming the tremendous health benefits yourself, pass them along to deer, birds, chickens, and other wildlife! They will be more than thrilled to stumble upon some precious nuggets for themselves and their little families!

Organic Compost

Forget the chemicals and feed your soil with leftover pumpkins. Cut them into small pieces and sprinkle them over flowerbeds, gardens, and bushes. It will nourish the soil as well as your plants.

Save the Seeds for Planting

When next October comes around, your need for more pumpkins will too! Dry the seeds from this year’s leftovers to plant next year for your own home-grown pumpkins. How cool would it be to have a pumpkin patch in your own backyard?

Have a Photo Shoot! 

As long as they aren’t squishy and unattractive give October’s star one more chance to shine! Take photos for screensavers, your Facebook cover photo for next year, or a 2020 family Fall remembrance. From a single pumpkin to an entire cluster or arranged with corn stalks and hay bales, you’ll be able to create an array of stunning photos!

Pumpkin Face Mask

There’s no need to buy expensive face and skin creams when you have perfectly good pumpkins just begging to be used. Did you know the antioxidants in those pumpkins you’ve been throwing out helps promote cell turnover, leading to glowing skin while it also soothes and hydrates dry, itchy skin? Simply mix 1/4 cup a fresh pumpkin purée with 1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil and a splash of cream or milk. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with water and pat dry.

Repurposed Pumpkin Planters

As mentioned above, pumpkins are nourishing to soil and plants. Cut your pumpkin in half, fill it with potting soil and plant away! Enjoy the beautiful planter now and transplant it into the ground later! Another fun idea is to repurpose them as a floral centerpiece for this season’s table!

Make an Air Freshener 

Even though the pumpkin itself won’t exactly match your Christmas color theme, the scent it gives will have your home ready for the remaining holidays! We all know the Christmas songs that tell us to pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie or mention those that travel all the way from Tennessee to Pennsylvania for a slice of the homemade delicacy. But when eating it is not your thing, most people still love the smell of pumpkins and the festive scent they add. Simply sprinkle your favorite spices on the inside of a carved out pumpkin and light it with a tea candle for a true home for the holiday’s atmosphere!

Homemade and Healthy Dog Treats

Fresh pumpkin in moderation can be a very healthy treat for your pup. Loaded with antioxidants, it can also help with gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea. There are too many options to list them all here so head on over to Pinterest and type in “dog treats made with fresh pumpkin” for a ton of options. From dehydrated, to baked and even frozen, you’re sure to find a pumpkin treat your fur babies will love! Just be sure the pumpkin ingredients you use are fresh and haven’t been sitting around long enough for mold or parasites to set in.

Related: 17 Hacks That Will Make Thanksgiving 2020 So Much Easier