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October 26, 2012

Pumpkin Man: A Family Tradition

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For me, fall means leaves and leaves mean a very special family tradition.  I grew up in upstate NY and as soon as the leaves began to fall we knew that soon it would be time to make our Pumpkin Man.  My grandfather would bring over the Pumpkin Man supplies and send us out into the yard to gather the most beautiful fall leaves that we could find.  And gather we did.  Leaves are abundant in NY and in the fall our front yard was full of gorgeous, multicolored maple leaves.

The air was cool, so we dressed in layers, and the crunchy leaves made everything smell like fall.   It wouldn’t take us long, but the days were getting shorter and the onset of evening made everything feel cozy as we worked.

When we were satisfied with our bounty we brought it inside and my grandfather got to work.  With the leaves we collected, an old pumpkin face, and faded construction paper cut-outs he created our Pumpkin Man in the large picture window in my parent’s house.

We carry on the tradition of the Pumpkin Man each year in our house too.  Although, as we move further and further south those perfect fall leaves get harder to find.  Here in FL my children wear sunscreen instead of jackets and the only trees we have in our yard are palms.  And still the Pumpkin Man lives on.

My children get the same things out of the Pumpkin Man that my brother and sister and I did.  Family traditions are not just about creating a fun experience or giving children something to look forward to each year.  Family traditions, like the Pumpkin Man, build shared memories that connect us to each other and with each other.  They become bigger than ourselves and our personal experience and get woven into our collective family history like squares into a quilt.

Traditions bring comfort and their rituals tell a lot about what we as a family value and hold dear.  What fall traditions do you have in your family?  What family traditions would you like to begin this fall?  I’d love to hear all about it.

For even more fall fun check out these Pumpkin Activities!

Pumpkin Activities for Kids!!!

About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

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Comments

  1. Lorie says

    October 26, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    What a cute idea and fun tradition.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 28, 2012 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks Lorie!!!

      Reply
  2. Carolyn @ Pleasantest Thing says

    October 26, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    I love that you revived an old family tradition for your kids. (Also, let me know if you want me to send you some leaves. We have plenty!)

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 28, 2012 at 8:49 pm

      Ooooh! A leaf swap might be fun–we could send you palms!

      Reply
  3. Gina says

    October 27, 2012 at 7:57 am

    Such a cute tradition! I bet my little one would love to do something like this!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 28, 2012 at 8:48 pm

      Thanks Gina! Sometimes the simplest activities are the best! 🙂

      Reply
  4. maryanne @ mama smiles says

    October 28, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    Your pumpkin man is so adorable! I may have to steal that idea for next year…

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 28, 2012 at 10:14 pm

      Steal away!!! And thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  5. The Iowa Farmer's Wife says

    October 31, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Such a cute tradition!! I love that you continue even in sunny FL!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 1, 2012 at 12:38 pm

      Thanks! It definitely isn’t as colorful here, but still memorable!

      Reply
  6. DEDE says

    October 31, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    I love it ! Hope the kids had fun doing t

    Reply
  7. DEDE says

    October 31, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    I love it ! Hope the kids had fun doing it

    Reply
    • Megan says

      October 31, 2012 at 4:25 pm

      They had lots of fun!

      Reply
  8. Shaunna @ Fantastic Fun and Learning says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    What a sweet family tradition, and how cute is that pumpkin man!?! Thanks for sharing this post at the Discover & Explore linky.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      September 16, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      Thanks Shaunna! It’s definitely one of my favorites!

      Reply
  9. Molly Ann Birth says

    October 4, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Love this idea. Our most cherished Thanksgiving tradition has been the Thanksgiving Tree. When my daughter was 8, she decoupaged a clay pot with fall patterned tissue paper. I out in a styrofoam block and inserted a branch from our dogwood tree, Each year on Nov 1, we all say what we are thankful for that day. Each night at the dinner table, we all choose a leaf and write something on it. One year we used paper leaves, then foam leaves. My favorite was the year we collected real leaves, laminated them, and used permanent markers to write on them. By Thanksgiving Day, our tree is full of blessings and memories. This year, I plan to make leaves out of out 14 month old granddaughter’s handprints!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      October 4, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      So sweet!!!

      Reply
  10. Tammy says

    September 8, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    So cute

    Reply

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