Although pumpkin pie is a "staple" at family gatherings, for most - and especially for the kids - it's really just an excuse to eat a lot of whipped cream topping. In recent years, that's usually one of those prepared non- or semi- dairy concoctions from the freezer case, but it wouldn't be "pumpkin pie" without a healthy (maybe that should be "unhealthy") glob on top.

A good pumpkin pie can be eaten without the whipped cream topping - but I'm not sure I can think of anything else to do with the whipped cream (mentionable on an open thread, at least).

John