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What two things signal the start of fall better than cinnamon and jack-o-lanterns? Seeing these autumnal staples in our home helps us happily festively usher in the new season. However, you might be surprised to know that these two items work together quite well. Several benefits can be reaped from sprinkling a little bit of cinnamon on the inside of your carved pumpkin.
Placing some cinnamon inside your jack-o-lantern will help fill your home with a warm and soothing scent of the fall season. Not only will it help your home to smell delicious, but adding some of this spice to your pumpkin help your gourd fight off the germs that eat away at it and cause it to prematurely shrivel up. And nothing is sadder than seeing a misshapen jack-o-lantern before Halloween night is through. Help your pumpkin to last longer with a few sprinkles of the magical tree bark dust.
The first step is determiningthe perfect time to put out your pumpkins for fall. Then, you'll have to choose among the creative carving ideas for your Halloween pumpkins. Once you've gotten those steps down, it's time to carve and add your cinnamon.
Fill your home with the scent of cinnamon
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To help your jack-o-lantern double as an air freshener, you'll want to lightly sprinkle some cinnamon on the top of the lid of your carved pumpkin. Make sure to tap this top to remove any excess dust. Then, dab your jack-o-lantern lid with a cloth or paper towel. Place the top back on your pumpkin, and your room should be filled with the yummy scent of cinnamon within a few minutes.
It's very important to wipe that lid well and ensure there isn't any excess cinnamon that can fall on the flame. This is because cinnamon can actually be flammable in some instances. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which contributes to its gorgeous scent and flavor. But these elements can catch fire easily.
While it's rare, large dust clouds of cinnamon have caused explosions when they come into contact with flames. The amount of cinnamon you'll be using here won't be able to cause that kind of damage, but you'll want to avoid any sparks or flames that are larger than necessary. So, you might also consider pouring your cinnamon at the bottom of your pumpkin and placing the candle in a dish on top of it.
Help your pumpkin last longer
If you want to preserve your jack-o-lantern, cinnamon can also help with that. Just sprinkle some cinnamon into your pumpkin so the inside is generously coated with the spice. You can use a paintbrush to help you over it properly. Make sure you get inside of your jack-o-lantern lid as well. Next, turn your jack-o-lantern upside down over the sink or a dish and shake out any excess cinnamon. You might want to use an electric battery-operated light for this one to prevent your carved gourd from igniting with an open flame.
Covering the inside of your pumpkin with cinnamon can help inhibit mold growth. The ingredients that make the spice flammable, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, also have antifungal and antibacterialproperties that prevent mold and bacteria growth. Cinnamon is also a great pest repellent, as bugs can't stand the scent. So, it will keep ants and other bugs away from your jack-o-lantern.
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