Try these clever carving tricks for your Halloween pumpkin
Plastic and painted pumpkins make for cute and low-maintenance Halloween decorations, but there’s nothing like a classic carved pumpkin to truly channel the spooky spirit. But as festive as a spooky pumpkin may look, the behind-the-scenes of carving a pumpkin can be messier than it's worth. That's where these pumpkin carving tips come in handy!
Whether you're going for an elaborate scary design or something simple and cute, the clever tricks ahead will make the process of carving a pumpkin more simple and long-lasting from start to finish! For example, using an electric hand whisk to get rid of the middle of the pumpkin without spending hours scooping it out with a spoon.
So, if you’ve got the guts to carve your own pumpkin this year, but you want to avoid the actual guts and gore that comes with typical pumpkin carving methods, read ahead for easy tricks to make the jack-o’-lantern of your dreams.
More craft ideas to try this Halloween:
Start with the bottom
Instead of carving your pumpkin from the top, like in this photo, make your main hole at the bottom of the pumpkin. This will keep the moisture inside the pumpkin longer, make the guts come out easier, and make it easier to light a candle inside as you can place it in the hole from the bottom.
Carve in your lap
To get a good grip on your pumpkin while carving it, forgo the table for your lap! You'll have a much steadier grip on the pumpkin while carving the candle hole and designs. As ever, be careful when using a knife to carve your pumpkin.
Use a red felt tip
You're probably already planning on using a felt tip to sketch spooky designs into the surface of your pumpkin, but you'll still want to listen up for this handy hack! Why not use a red washable felt tip rather than any old pen for the initial sketch, as you can rub any mistakes out easily. Plus, the red hue blends into the pumpkin more easily than a black pen!
Use a hand mixer
You'll never go straight in with a spoon again once you've tried this hack! Instead whip out your handy hand mixer to easily excavate the guts of your pumpkin. The hand mixer will help loosen the strings and seeds so you can scoop them out more easily.
Use an ice cream scoop
Another handy hack to remove the guts from your pumpkin is by using an ice cream scoop. The shape of the scoop will make it much easier and quicker to remove the seeds and mulch from inside the pumpkin.
Carve designs with cookie cutters
Not so confident in your freehand sketching skills? Use some Halloween cookie cutters to trace designs onto your pumpkin's face! Simply secure the sharp edge of the cutter into the surface of the pumpkin and tap the edges with a rolling pin until it cuts through the pumpkin.
Apply vaseline
If you want your pumpkin to last the entirety of the spooky season, pull out your nearest tub of petroleum jelly! By covering the cut surfaces with it, you can ensure the pumpkin stays moist even after carving.
Sprinkle your pumpkin with cinnamon
Pumpkin and cinnamon? Sounds more like a dessert than a carving hack! But sprinkling this simple spice on the inner top of your pumpkin will cause it to emit a sweet, cosy scent when the candle is lit.
Fabulous fairy lights
Instead of using a candle or LED to light your pumpkin, try battery-operated fairy lights! That way, you won't have to worry about any fire hazards from using a flame. Plus, with their glittering glow, they'll add a whimsical flair to your jack-o'-lantern that a typical battery-operated candle couldn't.
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