Tis’ the season not for holiday shopping and caroling, but for pumpkin carving. After creating a masterpiece or two, there is bound to be a pile of pumpkin guts lying around.

Pumpkin guts are the gooey insides of a pumpkin, the stringy fibers and seeds of it all. Many people dispose of the remains, but stickiness aside, pumpkin guts are filled with possibilities. Although not all of us can be as resourceful as Martha Stewart, here are some simple and creative ideas for what to make using the remains.

Pumpkin Gift Soap: This exfoliating pumpkin soap is a simple and innovative way to make use of the remains while combating dry winter skin.

Supplies:
1. One package of foil muffin tin liners
2. Muffin pan (Use a sturdy metal pan. If you are in need of one, purchase a hard foil pan at the local grocery store.)
3. An empty paint can (You can purchase one at local hardware stores. If you’re working on a budget, you can use a small pot. Be sure to cover the pot with aluminum foil to avoid ruining it.)
4. Sauce pan (If you are using an aluminum-covered pot, try to find a larger pan.)
5. Glycerin soap (You can buy this at your local Whole Foods or Walmart. Two bars of four ounce soap will make eight bars of soap.)
6. Pumpkin seeds (Use approximately ⅓ cup per two bars of soap.)
7. Orange raffia or colored ribbon and small homemade tags. (Optional. This is highly recommended if you are using the soap as a gift.)

Preparation:
1. Chop the pumpkin seeds using a chef’s knife. This works best in a small rocking motion. If you’re planning on using this as a gift, leave some whole to use as decoration.
2. Tie each strip of Raffia into a small bow and set aside.
3. Unwrap the Glycerine soaps and place them in the coffee can or pot.
4. Fill the saucepan halfway with water. Be sure to leave enough room for the coffee can/small pot.
5. Place the foil muffin tins into the muffin pan.

Making the soap:
1. Place the pan on the stove, and slowly heat until the soap melts.
2. Gradually pour the pumpkin seeds into the melted soap, leaving the heat on.
3. Carefully fill into the muffin foils.
4. Optional: While the soap is hardening, place the raffia ribbon and a whole pumpkin seed for decoration.
5. Wait until entirely solid and remove from the pan, using a spoon if necessary.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds:
Tried classic, toasted pumpkin seeds are an easy and healthy snack to eat afterwards or before trick-or-treating.

Ingredients: makes one cup
1. 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (dried and rinsed)
2. ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3. 6 tablespoons white sugar, divided
4. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
5. ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 250º F.
2. Spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Toast for 45 minutes. Occasionally stir, until dry and roasted. Remember that the larger the seeds, the more time it will take.
4. In a large bowl, combine the salt, pumpkin pie spice, and two tablespoons of white sugar and set it aside.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat.
6. Slowly add the pumpkin seeds, and sprinkle the remaining sugar.
7. Stir the mixture until the sugar melts. This should take around 45 seconds.
8. Pour the seeds into the large bowl, and stir until coated.
9. Allow it to cool before serving. For storage, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature.