Patio string lights can stay useful long after summer, but their plain bulbs do little to suggest Halloween. Replacing the whole set is one option; adding a familiar pumpkin face is another. For outdoor Halloween lighting with a playful look, the small plastic pails sold for treats offer a useful starting point. Their orange sides take on a different appearance when a light shines from inside.
Creator Us and the Mutts shared a version using mini pumpkin pails and outdoor string lights. The transformation works with a familiar Halloween shape, giving existing lighting a seasonal role. The size, placement and lighting arrangement determine how well it translates to a patio.
The pumpkin face becomes the decoration
In the original project, each pail hangs around a bulb, with its handle fastened around the wire. Light passes through the thin plastic, leaving the dark eyes and grin visible. The result recalls traditional trick-or-treat buckets, with the pumpkins arranged overhead instead of carried by their handles.
The faces give the strand more character than a change of bulb colour alone. A row of orange pumpkins feels playful, with the familiar eyes and grins doing most of the decorating. Matching mini pails keep the display orderly, while a few different expressions add variation without losing the repeated shape.
Choose how to light and hang the pails
Choose the lighting before assembling the row. Cover bulbs only if the manufacturer explicitly permits those lantern covers and the required clearances can be maintained. Some LED string-light instructions prohibit both covers and ornaments on the cord. If approval is unclear, Charleston Crafted’s independently lit pails offer another way to create the glow beside an uncovered strand.
- Plan a short section first. Lay out a few matching pails and decide which way their faces should point. Check the lighting’s outdoor rating and instructions. Start with one pumpkin so you can judge how clearly the light shows through its plastic.
- Prepare the pails. Wash and dry them, then check the handles. Charleston Crafted makes small drainage holes in the bases to prevent collected rainwater. Support the plastic while drilling and smooth sharp edges. Leave the light units and their enclosures intact.
- Use the approved lighting arrangement. Follow the manufacturer’s placement and clearance instructions for compatible covers. Otherwise, use individual battery LEDs rated for outdoor lantern use inside the pails. Keep their enclosures closed and use their specified ventilation. Never put a real candle inside plastic.
- Support the pumpkins independently. Attach the handles to suitable separate hooks or supports using cable ties. For a row, use a decorative support line suitable for the load. Leave clearance from the electrical strand and bulbs, and keep the lanterns away from walking routes.
@usandthemutts Walmart mini pumpkin pails – 97 cents . #fyp #fypage #spookyseason #halloween #halloweendecor ♬ Slytherin Themed – Athostvz
Check the display after dark and after rain
Treat the pumpkin strand as one focal point around the patio, rather than adding decorations to every edge. A short run above a seating area or along a fence can establish the Halloween mood while leaving the surrounding space less busy.
Space the pumpkins so their faces remain distinct. Check the row after sunset, when the background is less visible and the glowing shapes become the main feature. Turn some lanterns towards the seating area so the eyes and grins can be seen from where the display is enjoyed.
Drainage holes do not make an indoor light weatherproof. Follow each unit’s exposure limits and check for trapped water after rain. Before switching the lanterns on again, inspect the handles, ties and battery covers. Remove any with damaged plastic or loose supports, and bring the display in when conditions exceed the lighting’s ratings.
