Creepy climax of the Autumn season is ‘Halloween’ on the last night of October thought to have derived from an ancient Celtic tradition and eventually having found its way to the USA where it today enjoys great popularity.

A key role at Halloween is played by the pumpkin which is ready for harvest right on time for this festivity.

This is why - alongside ghostly white and scary black - vibrant orange is the third in a trilogy of typical Halloween colours.

This Autumn festival is particularly popular among children. They spend the night going from door to door dressed in spooky Halloween costumes, ready to scare anyone who denies them sweets or other treats.

Following on from an old custom, potentially generous donators can be recognised by hollowed-out pumpkins with grinning faces, illuminated by candles placed inside.

You don’t necessarily need to go to all the trouble of hollowing out a pumpkin in order to be able to enjoy the Halloween spirit or a cosy dinner at home with pumpkin culinary delights.

Using a black, waterproof STAEDTLER Lumocolor permanent marker, it takes no time at all to draw typical Halloween faces directly on the pumpkins themselves.

By adding some candles and a little black net lace, your Halloween-style trimmings are complete.

What’s more, mini pumpkins in all shapes, sizes and colours make ideal table decorations too.

Write the names of your guests on them and use them as an original alternative to place cards.

By cutting a slit in their shells, pumpkins can be transformed quickly and easily into holders for place cards or menus made out of orange-coloured card and written on using a black pen.

Here you will find gorgeous children's Halloween colouring pictures for downloading, printing and colouring

Just as smashing on the kitchen table as they are outdoors, pumpkins make delicious and nutritious Halloween snacks.

Here are some clever, fun and not too spooky ideas for Halloween food.

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• Pumpkin bread
• Pumpkin soup
• Pumpkin dessert

Enjoy your meal!