Halloween Crafts: Pumpkin Patch Place Cards

Set a table with paper pumpkin place cards that double as party favors.

Delight dinner guests with these adorable pumpkin place cards made from strips of scrap paper. They're super easy to make so they're a great craft to do with the kids. I happened to have some festive Halloween paper that had a spidery black backing, but any scrap paper will work just fine. Pull out all the stops and get crafty...I want to see what creative gourds you can all come up with.

Here's what you'll need:
-paper, in desired color and green for leaves
-pipe cleaners, in green
-ruler
-pencil
-scissors
-hole punch, preferably small 1/8" diameter size
-thin Marker

1. Draw a simple leaf shape onto green paper, about 1 3/4" long and 1 1/2" wide. Cut out leaf shape.

2. Punch a hole at base of leaf and use marker to write guest's name in center.

3. Measure and mark twelve 5" x 3/4" strips from colored paper.

4. Punch a hole at both ends of each strip, about 1/4" in from edge. Cut out strips, then lay the strips atop one another, aligning edges and holes.

5. Insert pipe cleaner into punched holes at one end of strip stack. Make a small loop or knot at end of pipe cleaner for bottom of pumpkin.

6. Thread long end of pipe cleaner through opposite holes of strip stack, bending paper into a "U" shape. Secure with a loop to retain "U" shape.

7. Thread leaf onto pipe cleaner. Wrap remaining pipe cleaner around pencil to create curls and bend as desired.

8. Fan out the strips to make your pumpkin.