Ah yes, pumpkin season. Every October we flock to grocery stores, pumpkin patches, and even our own gardens to pick out a gourd to disembowel and display proudly on our porches. Kind of a weird tradition, but also hilariously delightful!
The roots (no pun intended) of Halloween pumpkin carving date back to 19th century Ireland. There’s even a creepy Irish legend to go with it – old Stingy Jack made a deal with the devil and was doomed to walk around Earth forever with a candle-laden turnip to light his way. Whoa.
I recently attended a bangin’ pumpkin carving party (with a very small group, given a global pandemic and all) and, I must say, it was top notch. So great, in fact, that I’d like to share this perfect formula with you! If you are hosting a pumpkin carving party this weekend, this is how to host the best PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY EVER.
Where do I get a pumpkin?
First, you need pumpkins. But where do I get them? Ahh!
Luckily, during October they are literally everywhere. If you and your crew are in it for the day, I suggest going to a pumpkin patch and plucking the perfect prize from the ground yourself. Extra bonus for this because you are supporting local farmers <3
Getting your spooky supplies.
You can get great supplies at your local grocery store, craft store or any other large retailer (even Lowe’s has them!). If you are looking for supplies, there are two routes you can go:
Easy-going style with Pumpkin Masters
Pumpkin carving with IMMENSE STYLE AND PROFESSIONALISM
Additionally, you might want to grab some stencils, tea lights, tape and Sharpies to make sure you have everything you need to have a seamless carving experience.
Setting the Mood.
Now that you have your pumpkin and your basic tools, you gotta set the Halloween mood! Get some entertainment action for those who need a break from seeing orange with these movie and music playlists.
Setting Up Your Carving Paradise
You gotta have a crafty layout to mitigate ultimate messy disaster and optimum fun. Here’s some things to make sure to have laid out:
- Paper shopping bags, newspaper, etc. on the table AND on the ground below (there will be guts, they might fly!)
- All of your funky carving tools
- Stencils
- A big bowl for collecting pumpkin seeds
- A receptacle to collect all those GUTS
- Tape
- Sharpies
- Tissues to wipe the tears of joy running down everyone’s face
Choosing a Design
Picking a design is one of the hardest parts. Do I go with something really simple? Do I challenge myself with something intricate? What if I cut out the wrong piece and ruin my day? Why what why why??
Take a breath.
If you are in absolute turmoil, use a stencil (many come with kits). Or simply draw out a simple jack-o-latern face from your imagination and just go with it!
If none of those appeal to you, think of something that makes you happy and then use google and type in something like “[insert favorite Disney character] pumpkin carving.”
I personally went on Google and typed in “Alice in Wonderland pumpkin carving” and found this picture to use.
BONUS TIP IF YOU’RE STUCK: If you have a pet, search the web for animal stencils. You won’t be disappointed. My friend wanted to complete an pumpkin pooch:
Draw Out Your Stencil
Freehand with Sharpie
I personally like to challenge myself to freehand my stencil. Pumpkins come in a billion shapes and sizes – free handing can help you adjust the size of the stencil to the size of your pumpkin.
Taping a Stencil on the Pumpkin
Cut out a stencil that you have printed or from a book directly onto the pumpkin. You can then trace it out using a tracing tool (see below) or go crazy and start carving right through it (you’re wild!).
Carving Tricks that are a Total Treat
- When cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin, make sure to angle inward towards the stem. This ensures that your little final product pumpkin hat stays in place and doesn’t fall through.
- Scrape out your pumpkin THOROUGHLY. If you don’t, you might have some little stringy bits that might get in the way of the design when lit.
- If cutting around Sharpie, make sure to line your cuts around the edge of the Sharpie line so that you don’t see Sharpie in your final design.
Making Pumpkin Seeds (while you carve!)
ROASTED. PUMPKIN. SEEDS. ARE. LIFE.
Save your pumpkin seeds in a big bowl and roast them up as you create your masterpiece! Try to avoid putting lots of guts in the bowl. Want some recipes? You got it!
6 Easy Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes
BONUS TIP: Fill your seed collection bowl with water before adding the seeds. The guts will sink to the bottom, the seeds will stay on the top! Then strain gently, pushing the seeds from the top of the water into a colander. Boom!
Light em up!
You’ve done it – the seeds are roasted, Hocus Pocus is lighting up the screen, and now you’ll be lighting up the porch with your pumpkin! Bring them outside, light a tea candle and feel the spirit of Halloween overcome you! You can clap, hoot, holler, and dance around them in pagan joy. Pour out some cider for loved ones lost and steep in the Halloween magic.
As you can see in this photo, we are very much delighted by our own creations…
Sammy, don’t you usually talk about crochet?
Yes. But I was moved by the pumpkin carving extravaganza! Fear not though, I’ve also looked into some awesome crocheted pumpkin patterns. Have a crochet party and sub out the gourds for the yarn!
FOR MORE SPOOKY HALLOWEEN INSPO, CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST PAGE 🙂
As always, stay quirky and happy crafting!