It is fun to grow gourds. They come in all sizes and shapes. I grew one 63" in diameter and it made a beautiful basket. I have painted many gourd birdhouses. Some are used outdoors and many people put them in their kitchen, porch or elsewhere. I have made dolls from some of the little ones, Santa's, large and tiny, vases bowls and many other things.
     It takes a lot of time to finish a gourd. First, you must dry it properly, and then soak it to be able to scrape off the outside layer. If you are making a basket, bowl or vase you must scrape out all the inside. Before painting a gourd you must first seal it, then paint it, and then reseal it.
     One of my favorite ways to finish a gourd is burning designs on them. The art of Pyrography is wonderful on gourds as it allows you to put all types of designs on them. As I indicated on my home page, I have a building full of finished gourds and my hydroponic greenhouse is full of unfinished ones. I do not grow them any more and will not until my unfinished inventory gets lower.
    I find that gourds make a wonderful gift at any time of the year and for any occasion.