What Does A Blue Pumpkin On Someone's Porch Mean?

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When it comes time to decorate your porch for Halloween or autumn, you aren't limited to traditional orange pumpkins. As you gather your own design ideas, you might notice other people display pumpkins in various colors. For example, you might see a purple pumpkin on someone's porch; the color carries specific meaning. Another increasingly common option is blue. And, like purple, blue pumpkins have a specific meaning that goes beyond aesthetics. In fact, when you see a porch with a blue pumpkin, there's a good chance this selection was made to show support for visitors with autism and/or sensory processing disorders.

Similar to putting out a blue porch light, blue pumpkins represent support for autism in several different ways. They signal to trick-or-treaters and their families that your home is sensory and autism-friendly. This also indicates your support and understanding for children who may be nonverbal. While putting out a blue pumpkin is certainly not the only way you can show support for neurodivergent children, it can be a welcoming and inclusive gesture when executed with care.

If you would like to participate in this campaign, there are several options for putting out blue pumpkins on your porch. First, you can buy a natural pumpkin and then paint it blue. When taking this route, be sure to use acrylic paint, and know that you may need to use a couple of coats to fully coat the pumpkin. Another option is to buy artificial blue pumpkins for your front porch.

As for placement, you can get as creative as you would like with other Halloween decorations you might have. There is one key caveat, though: Make sure you put your blue pumpkin in a visible spot, such as next to your front door. You can also emphasize your support with other related decorations, such as a door wreath, or even a Halloween Blue Pumpkin Welcome House Flag. Just be certain these are used in conjunction with blue porch pumpkins for clarity, and not in place of them.

It's also important not to mix up blue pumpkins with teal ones. If you do see a teal pumpkin on someone's porch, such bluish-green gourds actually have completely different meanings, and are in fact part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. These are used for allergy-friendly houses to indicate to visitors that your treats are free of major food allergens, or that you are providing non-food items instead. It is possible to participate in both causes, but you still need to ensure that the pumpkins are visible and that you follow what they both symbolize in order to keep all visitors safe and welcome.