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Pumpkin Sale

💰 £50–£200 ⏱ 1 Weekend 📊 Beginner

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What is it?

A Pumpkin Sale is a simple and highly profitable seasonal fundraiser where you buy pumpkins in bulk from a local farm or wholesaler and sell them individually at a markup in the weeks leading up to Halloween. You can sell plain pumpkins for carving, or add value by offering ready-carved pumpkins with elaborate designs for a premium price. It requires minimal skill, low start-up costs, and can be run from your front garden, a school stall, or a local market.

What you need

  • Pumpkins bought in bulk from a local farm or wholesaler (aim to buy at least 20–30 to get a good wholesale price)
  • A table or stall to display the pumpkins
  • Carving tools if offering pre-carved pumpkins
  • Price labels and a cash float
  • A sign or banner advertising the sale

Step-by-step plan

1
In early October, contact local farms or wholesale market stalls to buy pumpkins in bulk. The wholesale price is typically £1–£2 per pumpkin.
2
Decide whether to sell plain pumpkins or offer a premium pre-carved service. Pre-carved pumpkins can sell for £5–£10 each.
3
Set up your stall in a high-traffic location: your front garden, a school gate, a local market, or outside a supermarket (with permission).
4
Price your pumpkins competitively. Plain pumpkins: £3–£5. Pre-carved: £6–£12 depending on complexity.
5
Promote your sale on local Facebook groups and Instagram in the two weeks before Halloween.
6
On the day, display your pumpkins attractively and engage with customers. Explain your cause to encourage generosity.
7
If you have leftover pumpkins after Halloween, contact local food banks or community kitchens who may take them for soup.

How to advertise it

  • Post photos of your pumpkins on local Facebook groups and Instagram
  • Put up a sign outside your house or stall a week before Halloween
  • Ask your school if you can set up a stall at the school gate
  • Offer a "name-carving" service for an extra £2 to personalise pumpkins
  • Post a time-lapse video of you carving a pumpkin on TikTok to attract attention

Realistic earnings

If you buy 30 pumpkins at £1.50 each (cost: £45) and sell 20 plain pumpkins at £4 each (£80) and 10 pre-carved at £8 each (£80), your total revenue is £160 and your profit is £115. A well-promoted sale can reach £200.

Top tips

✅ Buy your pumpkins as close to Halloween as possible to ensure they are fresh and last until the sale
✅ Offer a "pumpkin carving kit" bundle — a pumpkin plus a cheap carving tool set — for a premium price
✅ Take photos of your best carved pumpkins and post them on social media to attract buyers
✅ Set up near a school gate on the last Friday before half-term for maximum footfall

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Buying too many pumpkins — start small and restock if they sell quickly
⚠️ Buying pumpkins too early — they will rot before Halloween if stored incorrectly
⚠️ Not having a cash float ready for change
⚠️ Forgetting to check if you need permission to sell on public land