We were sitting around the office this week, and somehow we got onto the topic of how easy it is to decorate with Chalk Ink® markers, which I realize sounds like the most on-brand conversation ever for a chalk marker company, but hear me out. We started talking about Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving and all those gorgeous gourds that show up everywhere this time of year – the pumpkins and the acorn squashes and those weird bumpy ones you see at the farmer's market that you're never quite sure what to do with. It hit me how insanely easy it is to make them actually functional and beautiful at the same time.

I love a good table setting. Like, truly love it. And I'm always looking for ways to make hosting feel less precious and more fun. So we were planning this photo shoot, trying to come up with ideas that felt creative but not complicated, and we landed on the simplest thing. Take some miniature pumpkins, the ones you can grab by the bagful at the grocery store, and just write everyone's name on them with our Solid Gold Dancer Chalk Ink® marker. Now you've got place cards that double as little gifts people can take home, or decorations they can keep on their counter for the next few weeks.

And it was like, wait, why don't we talk about this more? Because the markers work on literally anything. You can turn the whole Friendsgiving thing into an activity while everyone's having a glass of wine or a cocktail. Set out a bunch of pumpkins and gourds, different sizes and shapes, pass out some Chalk Ink® markers – like our popular Fall-Lala-Lala Set – and let them go crazy. It's decorating that doesn't feel like work, which is basically my entire philosophy about entertaining at this point in my life.

But then we kept going, because once you start thinking about all the ways you can use these markers for a gathering, it kind of spirals. Your menu would be perfect on a little chalkboard or plate. Or use them to label dishes so people know what's what, especially if you've got friends with allergies or dietary concerns. You can write on wine glasses so nobody loses track of whose Pinot Noir is whose. Or if you're doing the plastic cup route, have everyone decorate their own cup with a color from our Happy Holidays 6 Pack so they can keep using the same one all night. Less waste, more personality.

We've done Welcome signs, Happy Friendsgiving signs, or those little gratitude prompts people can fill in during dinner if you're into that sort of thing. You can even use them for games. Write categories on pumpkins for some hybrid of charades and Thanksgiving trivia, I don't know, make it up as you go. The point is, the markers are so versatile that once you have them in your hand, you start seeing possibilities everywhere.

I think what I love most about this whole approach is that it takes the pressure off. Hosting can feel like you need everything to be perfect and Instagram-worthy and color-coordinated within an inch of its life, and sometimes that's fun, but sometimes you just want people to come over and have a good time without spending three days prepping. These little touches, the personalized pumpkins and the casual decorating, they make it feel special without making you exhausted.

Whether you're hosting Friendsgiving this year or simply gathering loved ones for a seasonal dinner, decorating pumpkins with Chalk Ink® markers offers an elegant, mess-free way to add a festive touch to your table. Our markers transform ordinary pumpkins into personalized place cards, creative centerpieces, or interactive conversation starters that guests of all ages can enjoy. The best part? Unlike traditional carving, our markers let you change designs throughout the season, experiment without commitment, and create beautiful decorations that celebrate the imperfect, handmade charm that makes gatherings truly memorable. Visit our website to explore our full range of marker colors and tip sizes, perfect for any autumn entertaining project.