About a week ago, I noticed that a homeowner in town had placed sweet little pumpkins on her fence posts, about 20 pumpkins in all.
Something must have gone wrong soon after, because today her pumpkins all have anti-theft messages on them. Cute, if somewhat contrary to the original festive spirit.
The first one below says, “No — stop! Think of the Guilt! What would your grandmother think?”
The second one says. “Help me! Lost pumpkin. Please return to Sudbury Road.”
Will the messages shame the target audience?
It reminds me of volunteering in seventh grade to paint approved pictures on shop windows at Halloween. The idea was to co-opt the kids who soaped windows on Mischief Night. Alas, I don’t think any of them volunteered to do the approved paintings.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
It will be interesting to see whether the message-in-the-pumpkin trick works to keep mischief-makers from making mischief. It could, I hope. Certainly it will take some of the fun out of it for some of them.
I love that pumpkin thieves were exhorted to think of their grandmothers’ disappointment!
I love that, too. I’ve not been above wielding that one against my own children when necessary. Always effective.