By Emily Fazio, experienced DIY crafter since 2015
Delight trick-or-treaters with a jack-o'-lantern totem pole. Adorable by day, it casts an eerie glow at night for the perfect Halloween display.
Use a knife or saw to cut off the top of each pumpkin, as you would for a traditional lantern. Make the opening wide enough to later drill out the stem area.
Remove the seeds and entrails from inside.
To stack the pumpkins, remove the stem from all but the top one. Use a 2-inch hole saw bit in a drill; for thick stems, finish with a knife.
Use the hole saw to drill a hole in the bottom of each pumpkin too. This allows them to slide onto a fence post.
Get creative: carve faces, house numbers, or words like 'BOO!' A jigsaw speeds things up, but a serrated knife works well too. Place heaviest pumpkins at the base.
Anchor the fence post in the ground. Wrap white string lights from top to bottom, ensuring the plug accesses an outlet or extension cord at the base.
By Emily Fazio
Thread each pumpkin (with lid) onto the post over the lights, starting with the heaviest at the bottom.
By Emily Fazio
Plug in the lights and enjoy your custom pumpkin totem pole all season long.
