The Japan Page

10 minute pumpkin "tophat" for low-voltage yard lights

I took a $0.99 plastic pumpkin procured from Target and turned it into a "tophat" to sit on my low-voltage yard lighting to add a little Halloween spirit.

The whole thing took 10 minutes, and was so simple I had it finished before I even thought of taking pictures.

1. I measured the top opening at just over 5 inches. I used a compass to trace and score the bottom at 6" diameter, then cut it out with a box cutter. Be careful not to trim your fingers....

2. I took a 1.5" long piece of 2" diameter black ABS drain pipe and hot glued it to the bottom section. This will prevent the pumpkin from directly touching the top of the malibu low-voltage light (heat) and also make it stay in place.

3. I then hot glued the cut out bottom section to the inside of the top, then ran an extra bead of hot glue from the top.

4. Hot glue tends to soften or melt when exposed to too much heat, so I cut 3/8" vent holes in the top piece.

I will probably rig up a small anti-theft lanyard to a tent stake or something later.Even with the ABS pipe and hot glue I doubt it cost more than $1.25, but we don't want them walking away on Halloween....

Happy Halloween !