I’ve not seen these big pumpkin displays where I live — and I live close to the factory where most of the nation’s pumpkins are grown and canned. Usually, families will do one jack o lantern per kid, which is reasonable. It’s a good idea to paint the pumpkin instead of carving it, because then you can eat it after Halloween. Pumpkin is great added to things like chili and spaghetti sauce! If I knew anyone who spent $700 on porch pumpkins, I think I’d be unable to resist telling them how gross and decadent that is, for all the reasons you list.